Managing Software Implementation Projects

jusgre says : Greetings!

A question for the group:

Can (and should) a structured Project Management Methodology (PMM) be applied to software implementation projects, as opposed to software development projects?

In other words, we are generally a "Buy, not Build" shop. Is it still appropriate and/or helpful to attempt to apply a PMM to these types of implementations, or is it overkill?

Is Project Management strictly for software DEVELOPMENT? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

salcorp says :

jusgre>
Is Project Management strictly for software DEVELOPMENT? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Definetly not. Implementation can be as tricky and deadly to a software as its own development. What good does a perfect development do when its implemented as if a bunch of monkeys spanked a hard drive with bones?
If your company has a historical pratice on software purchase and implementation all you need is a practical methodology.
In the end many things related only to development won´t apply to your needs so the trick is to separate the bits from bytes so you won´t end up with an overkill of processes in you lap.

ross_valusoft says :

jusgre>Greetings!

A question for the group:

Can (and should) a structured Project Management Methodology (PMM) be applied to software implementation projects, as opposed to software development projects?

In other words, we are generally a "Buy, not Build" shop. Is it still appropriate and/or helpful to attempt to apply a PMM to these types of implementations, or is it overkill?

Is Project Management strictly for software DEVELOPMENT? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

YES!!!

Project management is about delivering change. Whether that change is a new building or new software, it still deserves to be managed correctly.

Is there someone within your company that opposes managing correctly this project?

Regards,

bas says : Well, as I'm mostly concerned with implementation (and just remotely with new development) I would also say: yep! :D

And even more, I'm currently doing a project with multiple suppliers, all just implementing, but throw in hardware, infra, databases, data migration, training, new working procedures and you get the picture. Without a proper PM method, it would be a disaster.

However, you have to alter / scale down some methods, otherwise you get too much overhead.

Can you please explain a little more what types of implementations? A lot of config? or just extract it from the box and you are fine. Other activities involved? It will help to answer the topic more detailed.

Cheers
Bas

Bernard says : I would guess that the level of project management required will depend to a large degree on the nature of the software.

The implementation of an ERP or CMMS system in a refinery entails much more than just installing and configuring software! People need to be trained in the procedures required to utilize the tools properly.

OTOH, the implemenation of a virus scanner probably does not justify any project management overhead.

newbie says :

Bernard>OTOH, the implemenation of a virus scanner probably does not justify any project management overhead.

hi,

my neighbour worked for a national company that started a "project" to install winnt at one of their main buildings. they asked my friend and his team of hardware maintenance people to do some overtime on the weekends to do the change over. simple install and move on. two weeks later another sector manager wanted his building upgraded to. after 8 weeks of no time off my friend and his team started to bitch and call in sick during the week so they could see their families. the maintenance manager complianed because it was his money paying the overtime not the other sectors became a mess. no project plan, no budget, no one to blame.

he doesn't work there any more because no one else got blamed except his guys.

newbie

Bernard says : Surely you do not equate the implementation of an operating system change as being equal to adding a virus scanner!

newbie says :

Bernard>Surely you do not equate the implementation of an operating system change as being equal to adding a virus scanner!

no i don't, but my neighbours bosses must have!

newbie