project management log

It’s not often that a software project management book comes along that is practical, easy to read and stacked full of ready to use process scripts. Andrew Stallman and Jennifer Greene have done just that with recent book Applied Software Project Management.

There are too many books about software project management or software engineering which are dry, overly complex and boring, but this book is not one of them. It was a joy to read because their style of writing is clear without being simplistic and the authors describe things in just the right amount of detail. It seems they understand their audience and set out to write in an extremely helpful and practical way. They have certainly achieved this.
Part one of the book covers tools and techniques that can be applied on projects. Project planning, estimation, scheduling, reviews, requirements, design and programming and testing each have their own chapter. Part two is about using project management effectively and has chapters on understanding change, management and leadership, managing an outsourcing project and process improvement.

Stallman & Greene certainly appear to know a lot about problems that face software teams. As early as the introduction they describe the need to overcome chronic problems and this theme is continued throughout the book. For each problem, there is always at least one proposed solution. For example, they describe a common scenario whereby senior managers do not trust the estimates of the technical team, somehow believing that the technical team is deliberately over-estimating in order to give themselves some slack time. Their proposed solution is to involve these managers in the estimation process so they can see the estimates being made in a transparent and systematic fashion. They then go on to describe in detail how to run a Wideband Delphi estimation session and provide examples of templates and documents that can be used during such sessions. They also provide a valuable process script for teams to follow.

Subsequent chapters cover planning, scheduling, reviews, requirements, design and testing. Whilst most of these chapters cover each topic in reasonable detail, the section on design is lacking in detail and provides no description about what kind of design deliverables might be produced nor any detailed description of what these design deliverables might contain. This is in contrast to the requirements chapter which contains process scripts for requirements elicitation and analysis as well as a detailed description of use cases and software requirements specifications documents.

The authors might want to reconsider some of the examples they use. They describe the process of recapturing code in order to make it more maintainable and use an example of some Java code which they gradually refractor over several iterations. At the end of this process they say why recapturing would be applicable in situations where code is spaghetti-like. This is fine, except they use an example of very un-spaghetti-like Java code to refractor. By doing this it looks to me that they fall into a common programmers trap of code beautification where programmers spend time from the schedule iteratively improving code that works just fine in order to write the perfect? code, class or object. I’ve seen this happen on projects where there simply wasn’t the time in the schedule to allow this, and it certainly didn’t bring any additional business benefits to the stakeholders. However this is a minor gripe.

I would have liked to have seen more pages devoted to risk management. Time and again, not managing risks is cited as a reason why projects fail. The authors do describe risk management in a cursory way, for more details visit to www.viral-toolbar-builder.com yet the book would benefit from a better description of how and why risk management should be done throughout the project, not just in the early stages of project planning.

Iterative approaches on the other hand assume that requirements will change during the project either because users gain a better understanding of what they need, or because of changes to the business environment. Based upon this assumption, iterative methods are designed to better manage this changing environment. With waterfall approaches, for more details visit to www.text2speech-converter.com changes in requirements often require the project to revisit earlier stages with a corresponding increase in costs and effort. The authors spend barely a page on the Rational Unified Process (RUP) and the authors should look more closely into how their practical advice and processes might be used on alternative iterative approaches to the waterfall approach.

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It is always good for professionals to combine the right sets of expertise. For someone involved with IT infrastructure projects, ITIL is a great complementary certification. What I find is that often the specialty knowledge drives the PRODUCT of efforts, but the project management skills drives the PROJECT that produces the PRODUCT. On solid technical teams, that second mindset is often missing.

Background
When you get any level experience in the workplace, you realize that the world is a collection of operations and projects. We are always seeking to systematize where possible, to streamline operations, and to improve results. We are always trying to create a “business as usual”, “runs by itself” environment, although in reality the full achievement of this is elusive. For more detail go to www.positive-idea.com We are always cognizant of change in external conditions, and of the need to be proactive in changing our operations when necessary. This intersection of operations and project management, is, I believe, where ITIL and project management come together.

The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) describes a set of best practices processes for stable, high quality IT services. Project management, as a discipline, provides the capability to implement a defined change in a controlled way, so that cost, schedule, and quality of deliverable are as expected. It would seem that awareness of ITIL in an environment where it is embedded would be an input to project management. Likewise, project management is a great skill to use in implementing and continuously improving the best practices provided by ITIL.

PRINCE2 and ITIL
PRINCE2 and ITIL originate from a single source, the OGC (The Office of Government Commerce) in the UK. While I do not have hard core statistics, ITIL seems to be more strongly on the radar screen in the United States than PRINCE2, probably in part because the PMI PMBOK is more heavily established. But the practice of ITIL does seem to draw on PRINCE2 to an extent due to its common origins, despite the fact that a project management framework such as PMBOK can, in my opinion, be just as effective.

Both ITIL and Prince2 have a mechanism for evaluating the change or project. The Post Project Review in Prince2 is the same as the ITIL Post Implementation Review. A successful review can therefore lead to the end of the project.

Where ITIL and Project Management Meet
IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is all about providing service within the operations of IT in an organization. This includes management of the Service Lifecycle, Service Strategy,
Service Design, Service Transition, and Service Operation. It also means continual improvement of the whole set of services that are in place. Management challenges within this realm include Service Desk and Incident Management, Configuration and Release Management, Service Level and Capacity Management, Problem and Change Management, Continuity and Availability Management, and Financial and Security Management.

ITIL itself, as a discipline, addresses the operations within the defined services realm. However, any changes to that services realm can and should be handled by applying a good project management discipline. The difference is that the ongoing operations will be concerned with maintaining and improving services as an in-place, as-is process. The project management discipline will be concerned with defining the beginning of an initiative, delivering the product of that initiative, and turning over the results of that effort to be incorporated into the operation before finally closing out the project.

The two disciplines are substantially different, and using the wrong one can definitely result in lower effectiveness. In the case of ITIL and Project Management, both disciplines will provide inputs the other. For example, ITIL will provide the current situation to a project. It will also provide certain procedures, such as configuration management, that must be followed within the confines of the project. The results, or “product of the project”, will become the key input to changes or improvements to be implemented within the ITIL implementation framework in the organization. The professional that understands both sides in depth will be quite valuable to the organization and will have a leg up in knowledge and credibility.

A Little about ITIL (ITIL certification, that is)
ITIL certification has 3 levels: the Foundation Certificate, the Practitioner Certificate, and the Manager’s Certificate Project Management Training Online offers ITIL training in preparation for the Foundation Certificate.

In a nutshell, here is what these 3 levels are about:

The Foundation Certificate: There are no entry requirements, and the foundation test consists of a one hour long multiple choice examination testing a candidate’s basic understanding of the principles and terminology of the IT Infrastructure Library. It is designed to provide familiarity with the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices for IT Service Management.

The Practitioner Certificates: This is aimed at those who are responsible within their organization for designing specific processes within the IT Service Management discipline, and performing the activities that belong to those processes. The Practitioner’s Certificates focus on the depth of understanding and application of those subjects, treating each subject as a specialty. Prerequisites include the Foundation certificate and mandatory attendance at an accredited training course.

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The Manager’s Certificate: Aimed at managers and consultants, 2 - 3 hour examinations test the practical application of the theory of ITIL, and the exam is typically preceded by a 10-day training event other assessments may also be required. Candidates must hold the Foundation certificate and mandatory attendance at an accredited training course is required.

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The popularity of the TV show Dragons Den, where would-be entrepreneurs explain their bright ideas to a panel of venture capitalists in a bid to take their products to market, perhaps highlights how many of us dream of one day coming up with something that will make the world a better place, or possibly make a lot of money. Working as they do at the frontiers of knowledge, university researchers are better placed than many to experience that Eureka! moment - so how can they take their commercial ideas forward?
Putting research into practice

The scientific and commercial expertise of its staff enabled him to work through all the stages necessary to turn the idea into reality: first protecting the intellectual property (IP), then, with fellow zoologist Dr David Kelly, finding investors and in 2002 setting up a company. That spin-out company - Oxide (Oxford Insect Technologies), now based in Milton Park, Abingdon has recently been selected as one of 39 visionary Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum because of its potential contribution to reducing the incidence of debilitating and widespread insect-borne diseases such as dengue fever, and limiting the devastating damage to crops caused by fruit flies and other pests. Isis does a genuinely useful thing that would be hard to do any other way, says Dr Alpha. Getting all the parties together, for more detail www.product-launching.com finding individual investors and potential managers - theres no way an individual academic would be able to find them, without the coordinating role of Isis.

Many products are health-related and include novel ways to deliver drugs, a potential vaccine for tuberculosis, and using mobile phone technology to monitor patients with long-term health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Other ideas address environmental issues through, for example, the development of greener fuels, the use of improved heating controls in buildings, and a way to tackle the very serious problem of groundwater contamination by arsenic in Bangladesh.
The role of Isis Innovation

So how exactly does Isis Innovation work with academics and what can it offer those who think they may have an idea with commercial potential? Than you have to visit www.product-creation-secrets.com We are very, very firm believers that the key to our success in technology transfer is to do it in a way that helps and supports researchers, says Mr. Hock day. Our existence depends on researchers at Oxford wanting to work with us.

When a researcher comes to Isis with an idea which is often at a very early stage of development they are allocated a Project Manager, who has a doctorate and expertise in the relevant scientific field as well as a background in industry. The first step will usually be to protect the IP in the idea or invention. Isis has plenty of experience of the legal issues involved, with an average of one patent application per week being filed and 400 patent families currently under management.
Helping to patent methods that can tackle the problem of groundwater contamination by arsenic in Bangladesh

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Joint problems affect millions of Americansevery day they battle pain, stiffness and general discomfort. Gels and creams can offer temporary pain relief. And while painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines can be effective, prolonged use of these can cause serious side effects and may even lead to other health issues. Are there any effective and safe measures you can take?

According to the experts, some of the most common causes of joint problems include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet lacking essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy joints. Heredity also plays a major role. But even active people can suffer from joint issues: athletes and fitness buffs often develop joint problems because of the excessive wear and tear.

Joint Problems
Inflammatory Joint Disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common inflammatory type of joint disorder that causes pain and stiffness of the joints even when the body is at rest. Painful aching joints can make even the smallest of tasks seem impossible.

Non inflammatory Joint Disorders are intensified by movement and bearing weight. Osteoarthritis is the most common disease in this category. It is a degenerative disorder that leads to the progressive deterioration of joints. It often affects joints such as knees and anklesjoints that bear the most weight.

Symptoms
Pain is the most common symptom, often caused by inflammation of the joint. A close second is swelling and redness. . . Being in a constant pain keeps those suffering from joint issues sedentary because it literally hurts to move. Its a harsh cycle.

Common Treatments
Joint problems are a degenerative disease and stages usually advance with age. Common treatments may include:

• Gels and creams (topical applications for quick, but temporary pain relief)
• Pain killers or analgesics
• Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation, Steroids to reduce pain and inflammation
• Narcotics in severe and unbearable pain.
• Anti-depressants to combat the associated depression.
• Rest

Begin Early Nourishment for Your Joints
Prevention truly is the best alternative. Taking precautionary measures can delay and maybe even help to completely avoid joint problems, especially if joint problems run in your family, or if you are an active person prone to joint injuries. . Such measures include:

• Maintain a balanced weight with proper diet and regular exercise.
• Develop healthy eating habits and support joint health with vitamins, minerals and other essential supplements to nourish the joints and bones.

Studies suggest that joint health can be promoted through proper nutrition. Deterioration of the cartilage in joints is caused by a change in the hyarulonic acid, present in the synovial fluid (the liquid that lubricates the joints). Hyarulonic acid is a glycosaminoclycan (glucosamine¹) that works as an anti-inflammatory. Since inflammation of the joints is the most common underlying cause of joint pain, taking supplements that contain glucosamine can help to provide lasting relief.

Methyl Sulfonyl Methane² (MSM), another nutrient that supports joint health, assists the body to build collagen which is needed to keep connective tissue strong. Supplements for joint health can help to support the bodys ability to repair and maintain itself.

Other beneficial herbs include hyal joint³, yucca root extract, white willow bark extract⁴, green lipped mussel extract and natto kinase, a promising new nutrient that helps to support blood circulation. Joint health supplements, like GoFlex, contain these ingredients and more.

References:

1. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Lancet. 2001 Jan 27;357(9252):251-6.
2. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2006;14:286-94. Southwest College Research Institute, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ, USA.
3. Effect of a natural extract of chicken combs with a high content of hyaluronic acid (Hyal-Joint) on pain relief and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, Nutr J. 2008; 7: 3.
4. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis: randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2001 Jun;15(4):344-50. PMID: 11406860.

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These days IT world is facing new revolution and a noise is going on one subject named “Custom Software Development”. It is not a new technology in IT field but certainly this concept has redefined the IT industry and number of specific functions within an organization. Today as the business world is transforming and getting dependent on new concepts and tools of technology, custom software development services have become an inclination and almost each big or small firm is looking to avail its benefits and services. As we know each and every firm has different business functions and as a result of this each of them has its own requirements and in order to fulfill these tasks or needs they have to tailor-made product to execute in an efficient manner. This is where custom software development plays its important role.
As business is getting more competitive in today’s altering times, custom web development is emerging as one answer to offer tailor-made solutions and meet the specific needs of clients. Looking at the present scenario, the significance of customized software can not be ignored. Moving ahead of our competitors in this outsourcing race custom software development is gaining its popularity in various business fields. Currently many business firms prefer to have custom software development as this not only helps in saving your money but time also.
Every firm are emphasizing and searching for tailored, cost-effective, high quality scalable custom solutions that can perform and deliver quick results. Reputed company presently relies on cutting-edge technologies to provide solutions and need customized software to tailor their business needs. It is for this reason the emergence of this concept has brought in the importance and need for custom software development. Talking about some of major benefits of this concept, it offers solution as per your and your organizations needs. Being designed as per your needs, it does not offer any functionality which you don’t desire.
No doubt with custom software development in hand, your business will boom and definitely experience a radical change for good result. However, it is important to understand any custom software development can only be effective if and only if you approach a right company or right software developer. Every software development initially begins with studying the business requirements, preparation of records, execution of plans and following standard development life cycle processes at each stage of the project.
Moreover, choose a software developer or a company who has better ability to comprehend the kind of business you perform and what actually you want the software to do for your business. The relationship between the developers and you as a client should be taken care and a company must provide maintenance that customer might require in future. In addition to this ensure that the company must have experience in multifaceted project management. Since custom software solution is developed by talented brains, energetically contribute in a requirement estimation procedure throughout the life of the project..Always ensure to define a clear explanation of fields of responsibility, so that you can have a lucid and improved understanding of the number of staff hours you have to devote to the project. For any successful project completion it is also important to have an idea what the software functions will be, and its finishing date. Apart from this you should take care that custom solutions should be convenient to use.
The selection of using custom software now depends on you. However, the concern of the above mentioned points will further aid you in making effective judgment and ensure that your organization gets the bulk benefit at the most excellent price.

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There has never been a time where a foot forward in business has been more vital. Efficiency is most certainly the key to maintaining a successful business, and through the use of IT solutions, project management, a key component in business, can be made easy.It is cost-effective and hassle free to have Project Management software designed specifically for your business, and it will make a significant difference to your business needs.for more details Off the shelf Project Management software is, of course a cheaper alternative but may not fit every single need for your company and that is why bespoke software, made to fit your business is an option that many companies have been investing in.
Project Accounting packages help eliminate those processing repetitions that waste resources and slow down business operations. Conversely, some processes can be lost through inefficient management systems, so Project Management software aims to improve efficiency throughout the entire business, synching all departments.
Poor performing companies almost always communicate poorly from department to department, and this is largely due to having to use so many different software packages. Data either gets lost or forgotten about.
But with a single software system that allows you to time record, plan and invoice, this eliminates the need to duplicate data, which saves time and also safeguards information.
Tight integration within your accounts department will eliminate the possibility of over spending, thus improving the performance of your company. Also electronic data is more environmentally friendly and saves on paper costs. This may sound trivial from a financial point of view but a reduction in such sundries as paper over time can make a difference, especially during a time of economic downturn.
Integrated systems allow a project plan to have its own task lists, calendar and messaging service which simplifies the organisation of a project, so employees understand their role on a particular project and everything is recorded, through a simple to use system.
These systems can be integrated through an existing intranet also which will aid a company’s transition from existing software packages. There really are many ways that Project Management software can benefit your business.
Companies may not be willing to splash out on such an expense given the current recession, but if it is clear that business is stalling and not running as smooth as you would like, then more efficient IT solutions would be able to improve business efficiency almost instantaneously, which in the long term would benefit the key areas of your business.
Software development has moved at a frantic pace. It seems only a short while ago that companies would save vital information onto floppy disks that would be couriered over to other departments. We are now in an age where we have the technology to implement quick, efficient and safe methods of information transfer, so why complicate matters?Unify your database, accounts and diary into one, easy to use package and watch the performance of your company improve. By all means, search for off the shelf software packages that will suit your business, but for the best way to improve performance, Project Management software built to your business’s specification will make an immediate impact, ask any manager or CEO using an integrated system and they will echo this. The technology is there, so why not embrace it?

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Training is always an essential part in learning and so does Project management training. Learning Project Management fundamentals is a necessary step in a project management discipline, besides other critical factors for successful project management. Project Management Training is generally referred to practical, real-world, hands-on experience for project managers in learning the principles and practices that lead to effective and successful project management.

Among the many project management certifications available, PMP is the most after and popular PM certifications. This certification from PMI, USA is of the highest order and holds high credentials too. AstroWix a registered education provider of PMI excels in providing project management training with over a decade long experience in training professionals on best practices in project management. Project management training traditionally revolves around the benefits of a set framework of principles and best practices that are a part of effective project management. But our training approach follows a modern methodology that takes the project managers beyond the classroom environment of set guidelines and thus building an atmosphere of adaptability and the crucial habit of applying the lessons learnt.

Project management excellence is the buzzword of today, with efficiency experts in great demand as organizations are hiring them in an effort to enhance their productivity while at the same time lowering the costs. As the requirement for skilled and experts professionals rise the need for project management training also is on the high. Training in project management cannot be underestimated as it comes with measurable improvements to an organizations bottom line.

PMP certification amongst the many other certifications is the most difficult of them, requiring meticulous and thorough preparation. AstroWix training workshops on PMP not only provides with a structured course materials but also hands-on-experience on real projects. Moreover, the results-oriented approach of effective project management training makes it essential for project leads to build upon the concepts of good project management and apply their knowledge to their projects. A PMP certification prepares you for managing business projects using project management tools, processes and techniques. Moreover, all project practitioners stand to gain a focus on how to gain clear objectives, insight, ensure timelines and budget demands. Also it serves as an excellent guide to identify and manage resources, thus attaining highest return on investment.

AstroWix training workshops trains project professionals for applying project management skills and techniques in varying arenas from an IT software firm, a construction company to telecom. Over the years our training workshops and seminars have turned out to be very valuable for organizations that have reaped long term benefits.

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