Overview & Approaches to SPM (24)[detail]

Project

Temp endeavour undertaken to create unique product, service or result

Software project characteristics

one off event, finite duration, well defined objectives, reporting (milestones, schedule, budget), allocation of personnel (roles, responsibilities, authority), technically complicated, deliverable in the form of specific IT technologu, moderate-high risk due to previous failures in industry

Continuous Operations vs Project Operations

the same product being made over and over for recurring customers vs are custom designs per customer

Types of Software Projects

Migration, Conversion, Web Apps, Agile, Maintenance, Porting, Customising Product, Fresh Dev, Full Life Cycle

Software Project management

application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and expertise to achive the project objectives

5 Process Groups

Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing

Standards for project management principles

APM (association for proj man) and PMI (proj man institute)

Portfolio, Program, Project Management

Hierarchy of Portfolios, sub-portfolios, programs, sub-programs, projects based on objectives required.

Why do you need soft proj man?

Cost, Jobs, Productivity, Professionalism, Reputation, Safety, Sanity

Criteria for Project Success

Delivered on cost? developed on time? software specs and user requirements met?

Factors in Soft Proj Failure

Poor Planning and Direction, Insuff. Communication, Insuff. Management, Failure to align w/ constituents and stakeholders, Ineffective involvement of execs, lacks of soft skills or abliity to adapt, poor or missing methodology and tools

Adhoc/Functional Approach

Makeshift solution, learn as you go, improvised

Adhoc Characteristics

Single leader, little to no plannig, minimal doc, limited consultation

Adhoc advantages

dynamic environments, rapid project start, small teams, low cost, minimal overhead

Adhoc disadvantages

High uncertainty, leader centric, central authority, limited growth, ego driven environment

Process driven/Projectized Approach

contains defined methods for doing the work, as well as checks to ensure processes are outputting results and everyone adheres to the process

process driven characteristscs

dedi project manager, documented processe, team members trained in processes, organisation oversight and infrastructure to support processes

SPM initiation activities

review and revision of estimates, resource management, kick off meeting, project plans, induction training

SPM execution activities

measurement, analysis, project monitoring, reporting and issue escalation, project delivery, documentation

SPM closure activities

release of resources, lessons learned, reusable components, skills database

process driven advantages

less dependent on individuals, best practices, collective experience, senior exec involvement, uniformity, better performance measures

process driven disadvantages

fixed, rigid, training of staff, recruitment of SPM, infrastructure and support costs, is it necessary?

adhoc best use

small orgs, start ups, minimal SPMs available, few projects, high risk, extreme uncertainty

process driven best use

larger orgs, many projects, larger teams, established markets and customer base, longer term plans