Comments on: Steps Towards Creating a Custom Project Management Methodology

By: Roy B.

Roy B. — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:51:23 +0000

Josh, et al,
Thank you very much for the simplified overview of PLC. Your commentary is one of the few recognizing the need for an “agile” approach to Project Management. While working for a large telecommunications company, I had the opportunity to work on or manage or PM a wide variety of projects. The vast majority of these projects were in the nature of implementing technology instead of developing of technology. While each had specific PLC targets and benchmarks, each was different in the specifics of each phase of the project based on the who the “customer” was and what type of technology was being implemented. Neither the RUP or MSF methodologies could be applied because they did not involve SDLC functions. Only when I was managing a technology development function did I find SDLC functions to be relevant, even then it had be an “agile” approach because some applied research was required to achieve the goals of the project. Thank you very much for your article.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:09:51 +0000

Please remember, Agile is an SDLC that can be adapted to fit a PLC pretty easily, but the intent in this entry was to compare PLCs, not the Development lifecycles. Still, you will see some similarities. What they share tend to be that things that bear repetition and frequent checkpoints/UAT/exit gates. Ya know?

Josh

By: Srini

Srini — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:03:06 +0000

Very interesting summary and probably the shortest I have seen. It was interesting to note the author’s comments on PLC Methodolgy. Wanted to share with the audience that PLC is kind of big in large companies such major consulting houses, defense and aerospace companies. In some companies it is practiced under Life Cycle Management, which is very similar to PLC, with gate reviews at key program check points that need official sign off following a independent review of program’s design and phase reviews. Independent LCM Design reviews tend to be highly technical with a body independent assessors who are not working on the same project. Phase reviews are largely programmatic in nature focussing on cost, schedule and budget. Again the notion defining metrics and measuring useful parameters for a successful project is crucial.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Ah, maybe a year later, I see this is the most frequently viewed page on this blog, and it the one I really wish I could go back and make changes to.

But, I won’t. I think it is kind of interesting to see how my approach has changed over time. Don’t you? You do? Awww. Thanks!

Josh

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:17:30 +0000

RE: Summit-D (Rational product now…)

http://www-306.ibm.com/software/awdtools/summitcoe/

It’s an SDLC-aware PLC.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:22:16 +0000

Hmm…so SUMMIT-D (now under IBM) is a PLC? or a SDLC?

Thank you!

By: Blog of a Boston-based IT Consultant » Blog Archive » Simple Tip for Managing Status Meetings

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:51:03 +0000

[...] last 3 Comments: Ed Lemmon on Steps Towards Creating a Custom Project Management Methodology Marilyn on Risk Management Template – Based on MSF Template Susan M on Steps Towards Creating a [...]

By: Ed Lemmon

Ed Lemmon — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:35:30 +0000

“…Microsoft themselves have picked PMI and Virtual Studio is heavily linked…”

This is not true, Susan. Where did you learn this? VISUAL Studio is heavily linked to Team Foundation Server, but certainly not PMI.

By: Susan M

Susan M — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:42:26 +0000

Interesting blog indeed. Prince2 and PMI each has it’s own strengths and my organisation has picked MSF and I’m now trying to pick a PM Methodology to fit into the Framework.
Agree with Bahadir that MSF says it’s a Framework and you can use whatever PM Methodology you want but given Microsoft themselves have picked PMI and Virtual Studio is heavily linked…
Josh you are right though in the way you’ve presented it that ultimately they are sort of the same, depending on how you look at it all. But then all PM Methodologies are fundamentally the same but agree I’m finding it hard to make clean break between PLC as you put it, and SDLC.
So I’ll plod on working through MSF and marrying up PMBOK and come up with clear phases and deliverables and processes for us to use. And again agree with Josh, it’s how you choose to apply it to suit your needs.

By: Maximus

Maximus — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:51:27 +0000

I would like to see a continuation of the topic