Process
Cobblestone Consulting utilizes a proven and effective Project Management Methodology (Project Roadmap) that provides a consistent framework for successfully managing projects. The methodology is deliverable based and uses a phased approach that is scalable to each client’s specific business and financial requirements. The methodology also provides structured processes for projects from concept to closeout. This enables Cobblestone Consulting to clearly define the project objectives, develop effective project plans and establish the processes required to monitor and control project work and cost effectively. Cobblestone consultants consistently deliver projects on time and within budget.
We utilize Microsoft Project in combination with Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server as a means of creating and tracking schedules and budgets. These tools are also used to quickly disseminate information throughout the project team. While our project management processes are proven effective, client satisfaction is our most important goal. Our position is that our work is not complete until our client is satisfied. In order to achieve this we maintain frequent client communication through status reports as well as regularly scheduled and ad hoc meetings.
Project Management Phases:
Cobblestone Consulting and client jointly develop project scope and the framework for project success.
The Concept Phase sets the project course and frame’s the project for success. Cobblestone leads the project team in understanding the major deliverables as well as the Critical Success Factors and any potentials barriers. The major deliverables of this Project Phase are the framework for the Project Charter and the Statement of Work.
Using a practical approach to project and business requirements, Cobblestone Consulting develops a project plan to ensure the work is thoroughly documented and scheduled properly.
Cobblestone Consulting and client jointly develop project scope and the framework for project success:
Requirements Development
This part of the planning phase consists of gathering, specifying and analyzing requirements in order to achieve the final deliverable of this phase-the "Requirements Documentation". This includes use cases as well as system and other non-user requirements. Use cases are used to describe the functionality of a system from the perspective of the users. Data and business rule definition are part of the use case development process.
Quality Assurance
The scope and approach of testing is defined within the Quality Assurance Plan. The plan includes systematic technical reviews and relevant testing activities as defined in the Testing Section.
System Architecture
System Architecture contains the high level specifications of the project requirements that will be met. IT provides the technical structure and covers issues such as overall program organization, notation, change strategy, components that can be leveraged from existing code or obtained from a third party, design approaches and requirements mapping.
Design
During the Design portion of the Planning Phase the application is defined and documented so that all of the technical requirements will be met. Design of the application comes from the use cases specified during the requirements development as well as the high level system architecture.
Construction
During this phase the development team plans, creates, tests and debugs the application source code. Technical reviews are conducted at predefined milestone within this phase to assure that coding standards are enforced. Technical reviews also are used to evaluate application scalability and maintainability relative to project objectives.
Testing
Types of testing that are applicable to the specific project are defined in the Quality Assurance Plan within the Project Planning Phase. Typically all projects include unit and system testing.
Deliver project in compliance with Statement of Work and the Cobblestone Consulting Project Plan.
This phase of the project involves moving the developed software from the development and testing environment to the production environment. Steps are taken to ensure that the system works in the live environment according to previously defined specifications and user requirements. This phase may also include development and/or delivery of user training. All project deliverables must be completed within this portion of the project.
Provide project status and lessons learned documentation.
Final proj
The project is brought to closure during the Closeout phase. This includes the closing, approval and sign off on all project deliverables as well as the development and documentation of Lessons Learned. The final project status is communicated to client and stakeholders.
Risk and Issue Management
Early within the Concept Phase Cobblestone leads the Project Team in the process of identification of Project Risks and Issues. This process is utilized throughout the project for Risk and Issue identification, documentation and assessment of impact to the project. Specific mitigation strategies are adopted to minimize the impact on project deliverables, schedules, and costs.
Client Communication/Status Reporting
Informal and formal status communication is practiced on each project. The Status Report is utilized to inform the client of project status relative to individual and overall project deliverables and schedules. Status Reports are provided on a weekly basis.
Change Management
Cobblestone Consulting uses a systematic process for identifying, justifying, quantifying, assessing and implementing changes based on impact to project schedule, budget and/or project quality. While this process is defined and approved in the Planning Phase, it is utilized throughout the life of the project. This approach assists in keeping the project on course and within desired time frames and budget.
Client benefits from Cobblestone Project Management:
- Decrease cost due to effective Project Management
- Clearly defined Project Scope and associated Project Work Plan
- Timely completion of Project Deliverables
- Daily/weekly Project Status Reporting
- Project Risks and Issues properly documented and appropriate
mitigation plans developed as required
|
| Copyright © 2007, Cobblestone Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
Concept
