Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Concerns for ERP failures, SCM, VOIP and Large Scale IT Projects

    There are serious concerns going forward in 2011 regarding IT project and program failures, including ERP, SCM and VOIP. Some IT professionals in the industry don’t think that changes required to reduce the rate of failure, or to stop this disastrous trend, are forth coming. In one article this seems to be the case, including…

  • Why CM? What is the SDLC? System/Software Development Life Cycle Process Explained

    “I was still having problems with understanding Configuration Management but after reading your book, I do know why I was having difficulties with the entire development life cycle focusing only on software version control and software library development.” Those who have purchased the book, (Management Control and Quality! – Software/Firmware Configuration Management – available in…

  • Project/Program Management Lessons Learned

    Project/Program Management Lessons Learned “It’s about Management Control and Quality” Turn the listed items into checklists to be used for assessments and evaluations. The following is a list of lessons learned that have been identified and documented during a successful career of executing projects and programs. 1. A project manager must not only be responsible,…

  • The Development Process Best (and Good) Practices

    1. Identify the appropriate approach and solution based on the problem(s) analysis and business requirements 2. Conduct as, and when required, the appropriate assessments for the business processes, system, applications, infrastructure, and/or network early and in a timely manner. 3. Determine if Rapid Application Development is required a. RAD/JAD b. Prototype and mockups c. Facilitated…

  • Project/Program Management Best (and Good) Practices

    1. Plan realistic scope and Task/ WBS (Work Breakdown Structure). Ensure it is a Collaborative activity between business and technology. 2. Estimate realistic schedules, resources required and cost (determine min, mid, and max) 3. Ensure Development has conducted any necessary assessments of the organization, system, applications, infrastructure, network, etc. Conduct a project management assessment if you are…

  • Configuration Management Best (and Good) Practices

    1. Perform Configuration Management up front and throughout projects and programs (See book and articles to understand and apply Configuration Management) 2. Conduct an assessment, if required 3. Select tools, methodologies * 4. Perform Requirements, Design, and Product Management 5. Prepare a requirements document/documentation or specification with a traceability matrix. For the Agile development process…

  • Quality Assurance Best (and Good) Practices

    1. Prepare and develop a quality management and assurance plan (incorporated) for QA- (which includes verification & validation, test methods/testing, and quality control) in compliance with standards and tailored to the project or program 2. Conduct an assessment, as required 3. Select and use QA automated test tools – Rational, Mercury, Silk, etc. 4. Review…

  • Configuration Management (CM) is Misunderstood

    For Configuration Management (CM) we have been concentrating so much on software and version control, (tools and applications), that we have forgotten that CM begins before you have the software or its components and modules (units). See definition for CM in Software/Firmware Configuration Management. With this misunderstanding comes the following that I have still encountered…

  • Configuration Management Clarified

    I wanted to address a real problem that we in the IT industry seem to think has gone away. Understanding What Configuration Management (CM) is. As stated in Software/Firmware Configuration Management and in articles. ……. There’s simply no problem with explaining what CM is by discussing and addressing each of its processes/activities (no different than…

  • What has contributed to your success?

    Best practice processes, lessons learned, and team building. It’s interesting that many don’t realize how lessons learned and updating or tailoring a process such as Configuration Management can contribute to the success of different programs, projects and products. I always get the subject question from presentations, conferences, social events, book signings, etc. How have I…

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