| OK. So you have decided that your organization has | | | | FRAMEWORK |
| toimprove the way in which it works. You have | | | | - You can take advantage of the work made by |
| chosen toimplement a methodology as the best way | | | | experiencedprofessionals in the field. |
| to achieve thisgoal. And now you ask yourself, where | | | | - It establishes a standard terminology, that |
| do I start? | | | | enhancescommunication both internally and externally. |
| Whatever the discipline you are trying to model | | | | - It facilitates process benchmarking, so that you can |
| (fromsoftware development to supply chain | | | | knowhow well you are performing compared to |
| management), it ishighly probable that a standard | | | | otherorganizations. |
| framework exists, that canserve as the basis for your | | | | - Software vendors create products that are |
| own methodology. | | | | compliant withthe framework, so you will be able to |
| WHAT IS A STANDARD FRAMEWORK? | | | | find software thatautomates your processes |
| A standard framework is a set of best practices, | | | | smoothly. |
| normallyexpressed as a set of repeatable processes | | | | - Your employees are motivated. They learn |
| created by anorganization (a professional association, | | | | something thatadds value to them professionally. |
| university, publicadministration, etc...). These frameworks | | | | - Mainstream frameworks evolve over time, so you |
| are sometimesreferred to as bodies of knowledge, | | | | will beable to enhance your methodology. |
| methodologies, etc... | | | | WHICH FRAMEWORK SHOULD I CHOOSE? |
| Standard frameworks cannot be applied out of the | | | | When choosing a framework the following must be |
| box. Theyare aimed at a wide spectrum of | | | | taken intoaccount: |
| organizations and thuscannot be detailed to a level at | | | | - Research and investigate. It is normal that |
| which they are ready touse. In order to have an | | | | severalframeworks exist for one discipline. |
| executable set of processes, aproject has to be | | | | - Determine which standard best meets your needs in |
| undertaken in order to fill the gapbetween the | | | | terms ofindustry, size of the organization, etc... |
| framework best practices and your | | | | - Determine how the standard integrates with |
| methodologyexecutable processes. This gap is filled | | | | standards ofother disciplines. |
| when you havetranslated the best practices into | | | | - Evaluate the structure of the framework. Does it |
| concrete procedures andpolicies that take into account | | | | have auniform structure and format for all process |
| the characteristics of yourorganization and its | | | | descriptions? |
| environment. | | | | Does it name roles consistently? |
| For example, when the framework says "determine | | | | - Evaluate scope. Does it contains all the processes |
| which risksmight affect the project and document their | | | | youneed to describe? Does it make reference to the |
| characteristics"the methodology can say "the project | | | | supportingsystems? - Does it contain guidelines and |
| leader registers allproject risks in the risk list and | | | | templates? |
| documents itscharacteristics". The methodology also | | | | - Evaluate accordance to your company |
| provides a link tothe excel spreadsheet that is used as | | | | characteristics. Youmight find that one standard is too |
| a template for therisk list, and a description of the | | | | heavy for your needs. |
| project leader role inthe organization (skills needed, | | | | Having said this, please note that processes that seem |
| minimum experience,etc...) | | | | verycomplex in the framework can be implemented |
| Some of the existing frameworks that can be used as | | | | through verysimple processes that embed the most |
| a basefor a methodology are the following: | | | | value-adding bestpractices. |
| - IT Service Management: ITIL / COBIT / MOF | | | | SUGGESTIONS |
| - Project Management: PMBoK / PRINCE2 | | | | - Implement processes gradually and start with |
| - Software Development: RUP / OPEN Process | | | | thoseprocesses that demonstrate most value. |
| Framework | | | | - Choose a wining framework used by a big number |
| - etc... | | | | oforganizations. |
| ADVANTAGES OF USING A STANDARD | | | | |