Bringing Sanity to Software Engineering http://axisitconsulting.com/ en Copyright 2008 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:13:54 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2ysb5-20051201 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss SDLC vs. Project Execution Process No-Brainer

This one seems like such a no-brainer that we don't even need to discuss it. So, why post it then?

Because I still encouter people on a regular basis that discuss Software Engineering in the context of Project Management who fail to make the distinction between the Software Development LifeCycle (SDLC) and the Project Execution Process (PEP).

This failure to recognize the larger process has a litany of perils associated with it and it deserves some discussion as a way to put the PEP back in the Project Driver's Seat.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2008/02/sdlc_vs_project_execution_proc.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2008/02/sdlc_vs_project_execution_proc.html High Performance Project Management Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:13:54 -0500 Bringing Sanity to "Unclassfied" (Under Radar) Activities: Part 1, The Foundation For the Purists

We’ll begin by saying that this entry is specifically aimed at “Maintenance” or “Operational” activities and can be considered Part 1 of a multi-part series on bringing sanity to these necessary and challenging activities.

Before the purists begin to revolt at my last statement, let me say that there is a dangerous fallacy in trying to manage Operational activities as "Projects" and that is precisely what I intend to discuss here.

I hope that quelled the uprising.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2008/01/bringing_sanity_to_unclassfied.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2008/01/bringing_sanity_to_unclassfied.html Project Recovery Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:21:01 -0500 Project Recovery Efforts: The Struggling Project First, what do I mean by "Project Recovery"?

Project Recovery is the effort and activities related to addressing troubled projects.  In other words, the activities that lead you to recognize that the project is troubled, then bring you to a decision point on whether or not to save that project, then those activities you might undertake to drive that project to completion.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/12/project_recovery_efforts_the_s.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/12/project_recovery_efforts_the_s.html For Starters Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:26:02 -0500 Legitimizing the Project Manager Role For openers, let's look at the meaning of the term "Legitimize".  Merriam-Webster says "To make legitimate."  Enough said, right?  If it were, then this would be a very short post.

This post is dedicated to a better understanding of what a Project Manager is and what a Project Manager does.  Just as important, we will also be talking about what a Project Managser isn't.

I feel compelled because I have heard the following conversation take place in every company for which I have provided services, ever.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/11/what_or_who_makes_a_good_proje.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/11/what_or_who_makes_a_good_proje.html Leadership Tips for PM Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:19:29 -0500 PM Skills - Not Just for PM's Anymore Project Management expertise is traditionally thought of as encompassing scheduling and organizational skills in addition to some subject matter expertise.

Although, in considering the notion in greater detail, we have tasked our Project Managers with ultimate delivery of important products and services and we would be foolish to trust ultimate delivery of key products and services to a gatekeeper that is simply responsible for managing the project schedule.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/10/pm_skills_not_just_for_pms_any.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/10/pm_skills_not_just_for_pms_any.html High Performance Project Management Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:21:26 -0500 A Tale of Cost Performance Index and Schedule Performance Index (CPI and SPI) Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) are the yardsticks by which we measure how well our project is tracking against cost and schedule, right? Although, we use these two very important popular measurements as the yardstick of success we sometimes do so without realizing that they are still open to interpretation.]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/03/schedule_performance_index_and.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/03/schedule_performance_index_and.html High Performance Project Management Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:51:18 -0500 Should I Rescue My Failing Project? Some may be confused when I pose this question.  After all, it seems counter-intuitive to think in terms of whether or not to save a troubled project because Project Management Professionals are constantly challenged to find new and creative ways to guide projects to success.

As a Project Recovery Specialist, I am constantly reminded of the perils of attempting to save the wrong project for the wrong reasons.  While the reasons one might choose to attempt to save a project are relatively simple, the reasons one might choose not to save a project can be much more complex.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/02/project_recovery_when_is_it_a_bad_idea_to_save_a_troubled_project_part_1.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2007/02/project_recovery_when_is_it_a_bad_idea_to_save_a_troubled_project_part_1.html Project Recovery Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:16:31 -0500 Using the Right Amount of Project Management Discpline for Your Project I am asked this question frequently:  "How much Project Management process should I place on the [insert project name] Project?".

Most PM's and Executives struggle with this question because it seems as if a rigid and thick process can kill smaller projects and at the same time a very lightweight and agile process may not be enough to guide a complex project to success.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2006/12/how_much_process_should_we_pla.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2006/12/how_much_process_should_we_pla.html High Performance Project Management Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:43:46 -0500 Can You Make a Project Manager Out of Fairy Dust? Can You Make a Project Manager Out of Fairy Dust? 

Sure, with enough Fairy Dust and some wishful thinking, anyone can make a Worldclass Software Engineer or a Pipefitter, or a Chemical Engineer out of Fairy Dust too, right?  You Can't?  Then why are Project Managers different?

We all know I am simply making a point here and that is that the role of PM is often minimized in the minds of those contemplating the notion.  For some reason, when some people think of a Project manager, they think of someone that simply manages a task list in a scheduling tool, or someone we only see when we've overrun our budget.

This in itself has been the cause of many project failures.

]]> http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2006/11/can_you_make_a_project_manager.html http://axisitconsulting.com/blog/2006/11/can_you_make_a_project_manager.html For Starters Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:25:50 -0500