Before we start construction, let’s lay the groundwork.
1. Homework Question (34 competencies) 2. Critical Success Factors 3. Importance of Considering the Corporate Process 4. Key Players and their Motivations 5. Importance of Teamwork 6. Leadership vs Management
Product Develop Skills Awareness of Process Standards Evaluating Alternative Processes Tailoring Processes Assessing Processes Defining the Product Managing Requirements Managing Subcontractors Performing the Initial Assessment Selecting Methods and Tools Tracking Product Quality Understanding Development Activities Project Management Skills Building a WBS Documenting Plans Estimating Costs Estimating Effort Managing Risks Monitoring Development Scheduling Work Selecting Metrics Selecting Project Management Tools Tracking Processes Tracking Project Progress People Management Skills Appraising Performance Handling Intellectual Property Holding Effective Meetings Interaction and Communication Leadership Managing Change Negotiating Successfully Planning Careers Presenting Effectively Recruiting Selecting a Team Teambuilding
10 signs of IS project failure: 1. Project managers don’t understand users’ needs. 2. The project’s scope is ill-defined. 3. Project changes are managed poorly. 4. The chosen technology changes. 5. Business needs change. 6. Deadlines are unrealistic. 7. Users are resistant. 8. Sponsorship is lost. 9. The project lacks people with appropriate skills. 10. Managers ignore best practices and lessons learned. Source: “Critical Success Factors in Software Projects” by John Reel, IEEE Software, June – 7 occur before even the design starts 4
Stable Requirements Accurate Estimations Teamwork and Unified Vision Attention to Risks Source: lots of reading by Dannelly
1. The Critical Point of View is the End-User ◦ the best software solutions come from understanding the customer's view of the world and addressing the customer's problems
2. Perceived Value is based on how well the software solves the customer's problem in their domain ◦ Value is not entirely based on Quality for example - Microsoft software crashes ◦ Perceived Value ≠ Actual Costs for example - Microsoft security holes costs millions of dollars
3. Customer's take the Business View ($), not the computer science view 4. The system should revolve around the Company's Objectives
So who are the key players? Who should we try to make happy?
Managers Employees / Users Company's Stock Holders Consumers
Return On Investment Intangible Benefits Market Strategy ◦ meeting existing or expected demand being the first to market ◦ securing our niche in the market
Employees / Users Consumers Stock Holders
How we conduct the project and who we need on our team is also dependant on the type of product and the type of work to be conducted.
business biggest class includes services consumer mass market / shrink wrap price sensitive Industrial and real-time really timely scientific
new software product component integration re-engineered product heroic maintenance
We must understand the Company Process We must recognize the key players and know their objectives The type of product dictates a lot Now that we have a good idea of the environment that we are dealing with, it is time to build a team and start planning
What is the number one determiner of a group’s productivity? What is the difference between a “manager” and a “leader”?
Software Projects are Cultural Events Management ≠ Leadership Team’s ability is based more on its personality than its skill
Biggest influence on Productivity is Team Cohesion Team cohesion influences how the team reacts to external influences, internal problems, and project challenges
Leader Listener Talker Expert Complainer …
Requirements Analyst Designer Quality Assurance Marketing / Customer Liaison Tools Expert Documentation Trainer …
Monitor and Manage Culture, as well as technical issues Understand each team member’s background and personality Match Roles to Personalities Understand the Organizational Culture
Management is derived by title People are required to do the work specified by the manager Leadership draws extra effort without obligation Most managers rose because of technical skills, not people skills
Manager – Do things Right Leader – Do the Right Thing
Gain visibility without micromanagement Review process and products, not people Coordinate, don’t manipulate Use your knowledge, not your power Focus on project’s needs and people’s needs, not your power
Hire for trait and train for skill Be confident in self and team Be fallible Lead by example Utilize team member’s talents Complete commitments on time
Allow staff to make decisions Place workers physically together Limit the number of projects assigned to a person Never impose phony deadlines Allow teams to jell, don’t mix them up frequently Create ritual (e.g. team meetings)
TeamLeader Unwilling & Unablestrong direction Unwilling & Ablesoft direction, sensitive to feelings Willing & Unableconcern for feelings, help do tasks Willing & Ablestand back and get out of their way see table 6-14 and Figure 6-9.
Make professional development a project goal Recognize long and short term development goals Let each member specify personal goals Have members track their time
The People Capability Maturity Model (People CMM) is a framework that helps organizations successfully address their critical people issues. Based on the best current practices in fields such as human resources, knowledge management, and organizational development, the People CMM guides organizations in improving their processes for managing and developing their workforces. The People CMM helps organizations characterize the maturity of their workforce practices, establish a program of continuous workforce development, set priorities for improvement actions, integrate workforce development with process improvement, and establish a culture of excellence. Since its release in 1995, thousands of copies of the People CMM have been distributed, and it is used worldwide by organizations, small and large.
Scarce talent High salaries High turnover Increased workloads Unfinished work
Level One – ad hoc Level Two – stable foundation of processes across organization Level Three – best practices are made the common practice Level Four – processes are managed Level Five – continuous improvement
Now that we have a team and know the customer's environment, let's start creating something. Step One - define the scope, set some measurable goals Step Two - start figuring out all the tasks that need to be done
Before class #3, read the article from Navy regarding value of defining scope, etc.