Last minute seat sale! Certified Scope Manager (CSM) workshops Apr 27-May 1, 2009 TAMPA FL

Dear colleague,

A few months ago I conducted a series of webinars on Scope Management and the Certified Scope Manager (CSM). Now our scheduled training is fast approaching, and for loyal blog readers, we're having a seat sale!

In just over 2 weeks, (April 27-May 1, 2009!) we are conducting Certified Scope Manager workshops in Tampa, FL. As a blog reader here, you are entitled to a 20% discount for any single or multiple workshop - so register today! (Simply indicate "BLOG" beside your name on the registration form and we'll adjust the total for you.)

Please visit http://www.qualityplustech.com/CSM_training.html to register. Purchase orders and payment arrangements can be made for this seat sale. Register today and make a difference in your organization and your career!

We hope to see you in Tampa April 27- May 1, 2009.

Have a nice week!

Regards,
Carol Dekkers
Carol Dekkers email: dekkers@qualityplustech.com
http://www.qualityplustech.com/
http://www.caroldekkers.com/
Contact Carol to keynote your upcoming event - her style translates technical matters into digestible soundbites, humorously and forthright.
View also Carol Dekkers' general blog at http://caroldekkers.wordpress.com/ ============Copyright 2009, Carol Dekkers ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ============= Posted by Carol Dekkers Labels: Communication,

Scope Management for IT Customers - it's the right thing to do!

I spoke on the topic of Scope Management ("Scope Management - Is it the rainbow or the pot of gold") at the Quality Management Division (of ASQ) conference in Irvine, CA on Friday, March 6, 2009. Building on the 12 steps of the Northern Scope(TM) process and presenting how scope management addresses the major IT development deficiencies cited by the Standish Group's CHAOS report, it became obvious that formalized Scope Management is simply due diligence for IT programmes. It provides the means for Customers to direct the programme and to ensure that what they receive as the software solution matches and solves their business problems. While the IT Supplier side of the equation has been working diligently to improve their processes over the past years (via the Capability Maturity Model and other models of improvement), their focus is on providing the software solution. Where the IT development still struggles lies with dysfunctional behaviors on the part of both sides - but it really has little to do with the building and construction process once the piece(s) of software are well defined. Where the dysfunction is rooted is in the dynamics of the fundamental customer/supplier relationship and how work is contracted:

1. Customers need technology solutions to their business problems and understand that such solution will be a major financial and people investment. Due to factors such as history (past IT projects that exceeded their budgets), time pressure (the director announced that this unnamed project will be delivered by xx date), budget cycles (we need to allocate the right amount of dollars now) -- customers demand firm fixed price estimates before requirements for a program of work. This arrangement is always a losing proposition because the supplier is forced to estimate something as amorphous as ether - in other words to give a firm price for a "bag of work" for which there is not yet a definition! This is like me wanting a new house somewhere (TBD) - and demanding a price before the location, floorplan, or even my needs are known.

2. Suppliers faced with demands for a fixed price solution before the problem is even known endeavor to be paid for the work that they will do to fulfill the customer's needs. Because there is so much uncertainty at this preliminary stage, suppliers see that they will expend hours to develop and deliver the software and systems solution. They want to be paid for hours they work on the programme.

There are several fundamental disconnects at play here:
a) The "bag of work" is undefined. If someone could examine the basic components of the work to be done (new software developed, conversion of existing data, fixing of old system programs, etc) - and divide it up into discrete "projects", that would be a start;
b) Firm fixed price will never work before requirements are known. The work at this preliminary point can be priced based on unit pricing (similar to cost per square foot) by the type of work identified in a.
c) Because both major parties to the programme (the customer and the supplier) have different expertise and speak different languages (the customer speaks business while the supplier speaks techie), communication can be less than optimal. While a business analyst or project manager can assist with this translation of business and techie language there can still be miscommunication because the goals of the partnership (minimize the investment to get the best possible solution versus be paid for the work done) are diametrically opposed.

Here is where scope management and a certified scope manager (CSM) fits in. A certified scope manager (CSM) is a bonafide and experienced IT and business professional who acts as the customer advocate throughout the software intensive system project. A CSM works on average a mere 2-3 person days per project per month - a minor investment when one considers the substantial savings in cost, morale, and communication it guarantees.

Customers no longer have to dread project meetings - in fact, when a neutral scope manager is involved, meetings typically run smoother and the customer receives more professional and honest answers about the work in progress than without.

A Certified Scope Manager (CSM) is a designation bestowed on an individual who has taken the 4 day CSM mandatory training courses plus any pre-requisite refresher workshops (4x 1day) and is qualified to assist the customer side of the IT development equation to ensure success with their project involvement -- and more importantly - with the outcome!

CSM training is scheduled the third week in April 2009 in Tampa, FL. All are invited to attend whether you represent a software consumer or a software supplier or builder. See http://www.qualityplustech.com/ for registration and payment details

Have a nice week!

Regards,
Carol Dekkers
Carol Dekkers email: dekkers@qualityplustech.com
http://www.qualityplustech.com/
http://www.caroldekkers.com/

Contact Carol to keynote your upcoming event - her style translates technical matters into digestible soundbites, humorously and forthright.

View also Carol Dekkers' general blog at http://caroldekkers.wordpress.com/ ============Copyright 2009, Carol Dekkers ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ============= Posted by Carol Dekkers Labels: Communication,

Certified Scope Managers (CSM) Alleviate Customer Stress on Software Projects

-- Read to the end of this post for a free webinar offer Dec. 3, 2008 --

Can you imagine purchasing or building a new residence today without having the internet and real estate resources to assist with pricing comparisons, market research, neighborhood planning and demographics (including crime statistics, trends, etc.), arranging for an inspection, title transfer, mortgage financing, bids and closing, etc.? This is exactly the situation on many software development projects - the customer knows that they need a technology solution to business problems but often must navigate through the software development process on their own - with only the builder (software developer) to guide them through. Until now, that is! Introducing a new professional job role that we are standardizing in Europe through the European Certificates Association - the Certified Scope Manager (CSM).

In building construction/home buying, a buyer who works without the support of third parties to assist (real estate agents, general contractor, architects, etc) in negotiations and ongoing communication with the seller or builder, would be stressed out. The sheer number of activities and issues in the processes can be overwhelming, and an independent buyer becomes highly dependent on the honesty and trust relationship they personally establish with the seller or builder. In addition, buyers without a background in home sales or construction often enter the process rather innocently and find that the overall purchase or construction can be one of the most stressful events possible. Not only is a residence the largest single capital investment most people ever make, its acquisition is laden with emotion and a number of expectations of what the residents will experience (hopefully happy and stressfree) once the move is complete.

In software development there's different players involved and also a far bigger investment at stake, yet many customers have relied for years on "fixed price" contracts that begin before requirements (when no one knows exactly what is required!) Suppliers in such instances typically "pad their estimates" to cover any eventuality because of the vagueness of the requirements in the RFP. No wonder the overall projects end up overbudget and behind schedule! What we need in software development is a real estate agent for acquirers -- and the good news is that in Finland and Australia, it's already a reality in the form of a Scope Manager!

Free webinar: JOIN ME ON DEC. 3, 2008 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm EST for a free webinar: The Professional Certified Scope Manager (CSM): A new IT Job Role. – A webinar presented by Carol Dekkers

To register (there is no charge to attend this webinar), visit: http://solutions.compaid.com/forms/WebinarA20081203?ProcessType=PreReg

I look forward to welcoming you there!

Have a great week,
Carol

Carol Dekkers
email: dekkers@qualityplustech.com

http://www.qualityplustech.com/
http://www.caroldekkers.com/

Contact Carol for your keynote and speaking needs - she translates technical subjects into easily digestible soundbites - in a humorous and forthright manner. See http://www.caroldekkers.com/ for details of topics and opportunities.

View also Carol Dekkers' general blog at http://caroldekkers.wordpress.com/ ============Copyright 2008, Carol Dekkers ALL RIGHTS RESERVED =============