| 
Technical Questions |
| How big is the methodology
tool? |
The total web site for
this information system methodology is around 28 MB. In ZIP
format to download the system methodology is 17
MB |
| Can I modify web pages? |
Yes. The selection tool was assembles
using Dreamweaver MX. It is based on two templates (phase template
and activity template) so changes to the templates will change
all associated pages. You can use any web editing program to
modify the software methodology pages. |
| Can I change images? |
All images in the systems methodology
were constructed using Fireworks. PNG files are included. You
can modify the images using Fireworks. |
| Can I modify templates? |
Yes. All templates in the selection
tool are supplied in Word format. |
| Can I add templates? |
Yes. Because of the structure of
the system methodology, you simply add another row in the appropriate
activity and hyperlink to the template. |
| Is it difficult to find pages to edit? |
The system methodology is organised
into logical folders and naming reflects the activity name.
Both templates and activities are in folders named after the
particular phase. |
| How do I install the IS Methodology? |
Download a zip file and unzip it
into any directory you wish. Using notepad, change a text file
to replace "Acme Project Management Framework" with
whatever you want to call it. Open the file called index.htm
with your web browser and you can view the methodology tool. |
| Do I need to load it on a web server? |
No. You can load the software methodology
in your "My
Documents" folder if you wish.
You only need a browser to open it. If you want to make the
selection tool available to everyone in your company, you need
to have it installed on a web server for your Intranet. Alternately,
put the software methodology on your Lan and give all users
access. |
Cost Justification Questions |
| Why should I spend this sort of money? |
Think of
the cost of the software and
the cost associated with selecting and implementing that software.
Now think about the money you can waste through
- Inefficiency in the way the purchase takes place
- Wasting people's time doing things that are not necessary.
- Missing key steps, or finding out too late there were
things you should have done sooner.
- Making
up your methodology approach as you go along.
- Or worst, getting the selection
wrong.
SP2 will certainly
reduce the time and cost for the project and justify the
cost. Taking our methodology approach is the best risk mitigation
activity you can undertake. |
| Why would I not get a team of internal
people to build a software selection methodology? |
You could. What would be the
cost? What is the level of experience within the organisation?
What are your chances of getting your most experienced people
to work on developing a methodology tool?
We built our system methodology based on the experiences
of hundreds of software purchases. We used the combined knowledge
of many Project Managers to develop this methodology approach.
Do you have the luxury of devoting time to this sort of activity? |
Implementation Questions |
| How do I train people in this software
methodology? |
Few organisations can take a
person off line for a week to train them on a completely new
methodology approach. The best way is to train them on the
job. The information system methodology is designed to be
digested chunk by chunk. Not only is it a software selection
methodology. It is a training program.
As a person starts
a phase, they read through the information about that phase.
They focus on each activity and using the references and
templates, get to understand the methodology approach. They
do not have to have a detailed understanding of the implementation
phase if they are doing a feasibility, or phase zero phase.
Get people to learn phase by phase as they use it. Certainly
read ahead, but focus on learning the selection tool as you
go.
We could provide training for methodology tools but by the
time people get to use what they may have learned six months
before, they will have to relearn it again. |
| How do I get them to use it? |
Each phase starts with a phase plan.
That outlines which of the activities will be undertaken and
when it will happen. It looks at resource availability. This
is a great starting point. Get the Project Manager to prepare
the plan based on our standard activities. We provide a draft
Gantt Chart. They are then committed to the process. Use the
gating procedure to sign off the phase before it starts. |
System Methodology Alignment Questions |
| Does this align with PMBOK or Prince2
or the new international PM standard (ISO21500) in development? |
PMBOK is not a package selection methodology. It is a project
management framework. We cover all the nine management areas
outlined in PMBOK.
Prince2 is a structure that is more than
just project management. While it has certain templates
and processes, these can be incorporated into a package selection
framework.
ISO21500 is only in draft form however the activities
in the standard are all covered in SP2. Project
Perfect is represented on the Australian Committee contributing
to the international standard so are well aware of what is coming. |
| We have our own PM methodology or SDLC. How will
this fit? |
There is nothing revolutionary in
the methodology approach. It builds on established project management
activities. It is unlikely you will find anything radically
different to the sorts of activities you are currently undertaking.
Check yourself. In the sample we provide, you can see the activities
in each phase. See how that aligns with your Information System
Methodology or Software Development Lifecycle. |
Customisation Questions |
| Can I rename or combine phases? |
Yes. The structure of the software
methodology is such that given some basic skills in a tool such
as Dreamweaver you can reconstruct phases and move activities
about. |
| Can I add a development methodology alternative
to the package software methodology? |
There are 12 phases. 8 of those
are generic to any software development methodology. 4 are specific
to a package selection tool. It is quite possible to modify
SP2 to
add a development stream. In fact you could add separate development
streams for RAD, Agile, Waterfall etc. if you wish. |
| Do you use any scripts or programming? |
With one exception, the answer is
no. We use Javascript to put a last modified date on the bottom
of each page. The Javascript is in a .js file that is included
in every page. We have kept is simple so that you can change
without knowledge of web programming. |
Licensing Questions |
| What am I buying? |
You are buying the source material
for the web application to be used by one organisation in
one country. This means you are purchasing a methodology tool
consisting of:
- 12 phase web pages
- 164 activities within those phases each with it's own
web page listing purpose, inputs, steps, deliverables, instructions,
templates and more information.
- 121 Templates in Word, Excel and Access.
- 31 Reference Documents including extensive guides for
things like risk management (36 pages), benefit identification
(13 pages), testing (17 pages), scope management (28 pages)
etc.
- Numerous references to Project Perfect White Paper library
on topics that are relevant to that part of the project.
We currently have over 120 white papers available in the
library.
You are free to modify the templates and reference documents
in any way you want to suit your organisation. |
| Is there a EULA (End User Licensing Agreement) |
|
| What if I want to use it in more than one country? |
If you want to use the system
methodology in several countries, you will need to contact
Project Perfect to negotiate a license cost for nominated
countries.
Please email sales@projectperfect.com.au
with details. |
| Is there a maintenance cost for the methodology
tool? |
No. There is only a single cost
for purchase. Since you are able to carry out customisation
yourself, it does not make sense to be paying an ongoing fee
to us to maintain the selection tool. We cover upgrades in the
next question. |
| Will there be upgrades? |
We would expect that feedback
will result in further upgrades to our methodology approach.
We are happy to make these available to purchasers at no cost.
Care will need to be taken to ensure you do not overwrite
your own customisations with upgraded generic changes. The
extent and frequency of updates will be dependant on the level
of feedback from customers.
If we should expand the product in the future to development
areas, we will not make new phases available to SP2 clients.
There are however no plans at this time to develop such a
product. |
|
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