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| 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. | ||||||
| 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
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. |
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| 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? |
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| 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. |
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| 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. | ||||||
| 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. |
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| 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. | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| 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:
You are free to modify the templates and reference documents in any way you want to suit your organisation. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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