Perhaps we should have called this the Change Management page since that is really what we are talking about. Changing your IS/IT organization from a ho-hum cost centre to a quality-focused, consistently professional asset.

Now we both know your organization is not really a ho-hum cost centre but chances are neither is it as good as it could be. Our skill is in utilizing your existing skilled people and turning them into a world class department.

Our primary focus is not on creating and selling our own methodology. Of course, we have done the former. However, we have made a conscious decision not to actively sell a particular methodology. 

Our focus is on helping you to implement a methodology which works in your environment. A methodology which is unique to you and your organization. A methodology focused on your unique needs. And yet a methodology which is built from industry standard building blocks.

We view the normal IT organization as having three levels of methodology.:

Often the latter is referred to as a methodology. But, strictly speaking, methodologies such as Data Flow Diagrams (Yourdon/DeMarco), Entity Relationship Diagrams (Chen), and Object Oriented Analysis (Coad/Yourdon, UML) are tools. Each has strengths and weaknesses, a method of use, and a place. Just as you would use a hammer to drive a nail, and a screwdriver to drive a screw, you use each of the IS Tools in their place. Certain tools work best for certain types of projects and at certain points in projects. Often a project will use a set of tools for one task and different set for other tasks. What is important is to have everyone understand the message that each tool carries. We can help your people to select the sets of tools which carry their messages most effectively. We can help your people to learn how and when to use the tools. We can help them be effective while in the learning curve.  

The development process is the first level which is a true methodology. This process defines the actual tasks necessary to develop a system. There are several variations currently in use such as Ad Hoc (the most common), Waterfall, Rapid Application Development (RAD), Light Methodologies (e.g. XP). Each project will use only one although your organization may use several. We can help your people determine the processes that best suit your projects, their clients and themselves. We can help them learn which process to use on which type of project. We can help your people through the change process as they learn to follow different methodologies.

 The third level is the project management process. This process defines how you control the development process. How you ensure objectives are met. How you ensure estimates are accurate. How you change your processes. While your organization may have variations depending on the size or type of project, each group of projects needs a common method of management. There are several standards and methodologies available including ISO 9000-3, SEI/CMM, PMI/PMBOK, and Kepner-Tregoe. We can help your people determine the types of projects they deal with, and the appropriate level of project management for each. We can help them design and implement a control structure for their projects. We can help your people through the change process as they learn to follow a consistent methodology. 

 We've done this before, we can help your people to do it again.  

We have a number of articles, models and frameworks related to this topic. Please feel free to read and comment on them:

1. IS/IT Vertical Framework is a framework describing the lines of service which an IS/IT organization might be involved in. 
2. IS/IT Horizontal Framework is a framework describing the processes which an IS/IT organization is involved in. 
3. IS/IT Combined Framework is a framework describing an IS/IT organization. (You might also look at our Methodology Mentoring page).
4. Reaction Management & Other Taboos Originally published in the January & February 2001 issues of Managing Change & Technology (for a copy of the whole newsletter go to www.technobility.com ).
5. The Capability Continuum A model of how an organization changes and grows in capability.
6. Organizational Needs Development A model of how an organization changes.

Please check out our articles page for other topics of interest.

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