This paper briefly describes the Methodology for Managing
Project Based Business hereinafter MMPB, and the tool Project Management
Complete System hereinafter (PMCS). PMCS automates project management processes
defined in MMPB. The MMPB, its associated tool (i.e. PMCS), and associated
documentation are the result of very successful project management experience
its author has in managing Information Technology projects over almost quarter
of the century.
The Methodology: MMPB provides a single and consistent
methodology for project / business managers to manage project based business. It
formalizes the essential components of every project to plan, analyze, define,
design, deliver and maintain project components and the set of resultant work
products. Thus it provides a platform for managing projects successfully.
MMPB Methodology is developed from a large base of proven
methodologies, which have been used successfully by project managers for a
number of years.
The author has used common vocabulary currently being used in
project management subject while preparing its specifications. Thus qualified
project managers and leaders find no difficulty in understanding it. MMPB
simplifies project management and defines this complex subject as the process
consisting of sub-processes for defining the project, and then delivering the
project to achieve agreed upon end-products and services.
MMPB shifts project managers focus from managing the projects
to managing the project based business. This has a great significance and makes
this methodology unique from other similar methodologies. This has been done
keeping the fact in mind that most of the projects fails because of business
reasons and not because of technical reasons. Most of the available methods and
tools focus on project delivery processes (i.e. project tracking, performance
monitoring etc). While the seeds of the failure of the projects are sown in
project definition phase. That is why MMPB (and PMCS) focuses more on project
definition processes (i.e. project qualification, risk assessment, quotation,
proposal and contract building etc.) but still does not ignore delivery phase
process.
MMPB Framework: MMPB Methodology Framework has been
defined as "Composite". The Composite defers from normal Framework
definition in one important aspect. It is mandatory in Composite that each
product in the Functional Box must interface with each product in the adjacent
Functional Box through a common platform using common specifications.
MMPB as shown in the Framework design above is based on seven
independent "Module or Functional Box". Each Module Box will include
Processes. Each process is defined to perform a single function. The function
will be performed following the series of the "Activities". The
activities are further divided into tasks. A common set of deliverable is
defined for each activity. A Function should produce one or more deliverables.
Each process in a Module Box will adopt common interfacing specifications to and
from the common platform.
The Tool (PMCS): PMCS is a set of integrated tools
developed based on MMPB. In other words PMCS is the translation of MMPB (i.e.
methodology) into reality (i.e. the Tool). PMCS enhances project team
effectiveness, by automating all processes defined by MMPB. It allows all team
members to work in a collaborative manner throughout the project life cycle.
Whenever required PMCS users are able to obtain MMPB guidance on-line.
PMCS, a Complete Project Cycle Tool: PMCS helps and guide
project and business managers in qualifying an identified opportunity, assess
initial risks, helps in preparing accurate quotation / price for the project,
preparing a quality proposal, and once your proposal is accepted by the client
it helps in preparing a risk free contract. PMCS manages the milestones and
associate deliverables. PMCS also manages project cost and revenue. It helps
project managers in evaluating employees performance and identifies good and bad
performers. PMCS tracks projects profitability in multi project environment and
clearly point out the profitable projects, and the projects where the service
organization is loosing money.
PMCS provides facilities where project team members can
report their performance and compare their performance against their colleagues.
PMCS produces number of MIS reports to help top and project management in
understanding their project based business.
PMCS Helps in Learning from the experience: As defined in
MMPB, PMCS enriches its Information Base with the experience its users gain
while managing the projects and make this experience available to the project
managers for planning and tracking future projects. Thus PMCS helps users in
preparing better quality proposals quotations, proposals, work breakdown
structures (WBS) and project plans. Based on the experience PMCS helps project
managers in selecting the right strategy for project delivery.
PMCS Value to the Project Based Business: While MMPB and
PMCS both seem to have ability to support all types of projects, the author
wants to restrict its use to Information Technology projects. This is because it
is IT where PMCS is able to add high value and provides lot of benefits to the
users.
PMCS can help steer projects no matter where you are in the
project lifecycle. In the project definition phase it helps qualifying the
projects, perform risk assessment, preparing proposals/contracts and developing
the initial project plans. In the project delivery phase it helps in preparing
detailed work schedule, managing the changes, performing the work, managing the
cost and closing the project.
What makes PMCS unique is that it helps business and project
managers in managing project's financials and on the click of the button makes
each project's up to date cost, income and profitability available to the
authorized users in easy to understand on-line queries and reports. This helps
management in decision making.
To be successful and gain a leadership position in today's
competitive and dynamic IT business environment, the IT solution providers must
create a project culture within their organization. PMCS helps in doing this.
Conclusion: At MSCL we have already started realizing
PMCS's advantages. While MMPB takes input from well known project management
methodologies, it is specially defined for IT companies of small to medium size.
PMCS is entirely new development. The objective is to provide a complete
solution for managing the project based business at affordable price.
For more information about MMPB and PMCS or demo CD please
contact the author on e-mail (nisar@attglobal.net).
Sheiks Nisar Ahmed
Nisar is the Managing Director and CEO of MSCL, Pakistan. He
has M.Sc Degree in Mathematics from Karachi University in Pakistan and has over
thirty (30) years of professional experience in the Information Technology
Industry. He has an unparalleled exposure to all IBM products and services along
with those of the other major IT vendors. He brings with him a vast experience
of providing quality solutions and strategically marketing them to clients of
all sizes.
Throughout his career, Ahmed has successfully attended and
completed over fifty (50) professional training courses and management seminars
in the United States and in Europe. He has written and contributed several
articles in the arena of Information technology, which were published by NCC,
CSP national conference and IBM.
He is an expert in CASE implementation aspects and in
software development related Project Management Methodologies. An acknowledged
Information Technology leader, he is a recipient of several excellence awards.
Nisar started his career as a systems analyst/engineer with
IBM in 1968 and went on to lead several software related large projects and
programs in Pakistan, which include; Government of Pakistan computer information
technology projects, business applications automation for TOYOTA (Indus motors),
Exxon, Pakistan International Airlines, Artesia Data Systems (Dallas Texas),
Axon (Paris), Bank La-Henin (Paris) Pakistan army, Pakistan Airforce, Pakistan
Steel and IT consultancy for Projects Pakistan. He has also worked in IBM
Software centers in Boeblingen (Germany) and Boca Raton (Florida). Ahmed
specializes in IT project management and has worked as regional instructor for
teaching IBM project management courses.
Additionally, Nisar has established and managed IBM IT
training centers in Pakistan and has held senior management positions with IBM,
including heading IBM's data center operations and leading IBM's professional
services organization in Pakistan.
Nisar is a acknowledged figure in the Pakistan's IT industry.
He brings with him a vast experience in understanding complex IT as well as
business related customer requirements and then managing provision of quality
solutions to meet those business driven technology needs.
