Embarking on a new project is an exciting endeavor, but laying a solid foundation is crucial for success. At M&S Consulting, we’ve found the key to initiating projects lies in our innovative Process Impact Blueprinting Workshops. These workshops not only kickstart our projects but also play a pivotal role throughout the entire project lifecycle, offering invaluable insights for Project Management, Business Analysis, and System Architecture. The Power of Process Impact Blueprinting At the heart of our project initiation strategy is Process Impact Blueprinting – a transformative framework that marks the beginning of an organizational journey toward excellence. This framework serves … Read More
Struggling to build an SAP BRIM team?
In previous articles, we described some of the business challenges our client had faced while implementing SAP BRIM to manage billing and invoicing for their media sales business. Now, let’s focus on what is likely your greatest challenge: building the right team. We were able to build a team with the right amount of industry knowledge, SAP BRIM experience, and strong project leadership in a short amount of time. Previous firms had been unsuccessful in their implementation efforts in large part due to their inability to build quality teams. Our success in other areas of their business gave our client … Read More
Key features of Waterfall and Agile development methods
Introduction There are many ways to manage a project, two of the most prominent ways are waterfall and agile. The outline below describes these two project management methods. Waterfall What is Waterfall? The waterfall methodology is a design process, frequently used in software development, which progresses sequentially through the phases of Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance. (Diagram 1) Advantages of Waterfall Time and budget estimates are more reliable Development processes tend to be more secure Disadvantages of Waterfall Rigid and inflexible processes Feedback and testing are deferred until very late into the project Response to unanticipated problems require … Read More
Responsibility Assignment Matrix
What is a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) or a RACI MatriX? A responsibility assignment matrix (RAM), also known as RACI matrix, describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process. How is RAM / RACI useful? RAM / RACI is especially useful in clarifying the roles and responsibilities in cross-functional/departmental projects and processes. What does RACI stand for? RACI is derived from the four key responsibilities: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. The RACI model is a straightforward tool used for identifying roles and responsibilities and avoiding confusion over the roles and responsibilities during … Read More
The Role of a Project Sponsor
More often than not, a project sponsor is thought of somebody whose responsibility is to secure project funds and participate in the victory lap after project completion. But an “engaged” project sponsor with vested business interests and involvement in the project from the project kickoff to the project closure can mean the difference between a project success or a project failure. One of the reasons why projects fall short is the lack of executive sponsorship and executive management buy-in. Some key responsibilities of a sponsor include: Defining the project; Securing an executive buy-in on the project Providing a clear direction for the project … Read More
Relationships Among Portfolios, Programs, Projects
Portfolios A portfolio refers to a collection of projects, programs, and sub-portfolios managed as a group to achieve organizational, strategic, and business objectives. Programs Programs are a group of related projects managed in a co-ordinated way to obtain the benefits and control not available from managing them individually. Programs are grouped within a portfolio and are comprised of: Sub-Programs Projects Other operational work Projects A project is a temporary endeavor with a definitive beginning and an end. A project is undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Fig. illustrates relationships between Portfolios, Programs and Projects [message_box title=”” … Read More
What is Project Management?
A Project is a temporary endeavor with a definitive beginning and an end. Project Management is the application of knowledge, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. Each project must go through the following phases – Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing 1. The Initiating Phase The Initiating Phase involves creation and formal approval of the Project Charter. All project stakeholders are identified in this phase. High-level risks, assumptions and constraints are identified and documented in the Project Charter. 2. The Planning Phase The Planning Phase involves creation of the detailed Project Management Plan. … Read More