3.3.1

IBM Almaden Services Research

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2007. All rights reserved. 1

Considerations for the Use of Methods in Services

Introduction to Methods V1.0

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Unit objectives

Gain an understanding of:

What a method is and is not

Why methods can be valuable

How methods can be applied to different situations

The spectrum of “how did you do that?” from totally unique to totally automated

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What is a “method”?

Intellectual capital?

?A process or procedure?

Leading practices?

A checklist?

Guidance?

“Captured” experiences?

A template?

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Current environment

Services clients perceive that the service provider is here on the learning curve ...

The services opportunity is the delta in knowledge and capability.

... while they are still here.

{

Generations of technology and evolving business models supersede each other at an increasingly rapid rate.

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Sufficient knowledge is a moving target

Time, number of knowers, and "installed base" within clients

Knowledge value

Com

plex

ity o

f kno

wle

dge,

bu

sine

ss a

pplic

abili

ty, a

nd

com

petit

ive

adva

ntag

e A service provider can make money at:

• premium levels

• commodity levels and

• all levels in between

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Methods play a key role in a services business.

Situation applicability

Method component

Workdescription

Outcome description

Outcome instance

A complete capability includes both assets and expertise.

Product information

Technology concepts

Experience

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Patterns

Application patterns

Product mappings

Runtime patterns

Composite patterns

Integration patternsBusiness patterns

Customer Requirements

Business Interaction style

Application structure

Middleware structure

Platform-specific

product mappings

Guidelines for appl design,

development, system mgmt.

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Methods provide…

Project

Engagement template

Community B

Community C

Engagement work

product instances

Engagement templates

Project plan

Community of practice

ProjectProject

ProjectProject

Statement of work

Engagement Model

Work breakdown structure

Technique papers

Work product descriptions

Base method

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Why use methods?

Troubled projects cost money and more

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Why are methods important – to the service supplier?

Consistent approaches to common activities

Competitive differentiator

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Why are methods important – to clients?

“Comfort” FactorReduced RiskBetter Quality

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Why are methods important – to the practitioner?

Accelerate dispatch

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Without methods With methods

= More rework,

more reinvention Higher project costs

= More re-use,

less risk Lower project costs

Qualifyopportunity

Qualifyopportunity

Design solution

Design solution

Close saleClose sale

Initiateproject

Initiateproject

Executeproject

Executeproject

Close project

Close project

The difference when using methods

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Differentiation

From To

Hiring resources to demand Building capabilities ahead of demand

Different models and capability alignment Common organizational and capability alignment

Local design, build Remote design, build, run

Multiple delivery processes Common delivery processes/tools

(lean delivery)

Every project is unique Reuse of delivery assets

Uses remote capability for low cost alone

Establishes remote resource capability in high value industry expertise, process knowledge and

leading technology skills as well as traditional technology skills

Labor Pools Centers of Competency

Limited remote capabilitiesA network of experts providing global delivery

project team support

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Considerations for using methods

Trade-offs– Specificity– Procedures versus deep smarts

How can we capture or create reusable assets? How do methods support workforce management?

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How do we use the methods that are available?

A pre-cut suit off the shelf

A tailor fits the suit to your needs Your perfect suit

Fitting a pre-cut suit is much cheaper than creating one from scratch.

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Method Adoption Workshop (MAW)

Objectives– Understand the project– Tailor the method to project estimation,

selecting techniques, tasks and tools– Assessments

Results– Tailored Method– Project Plan

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The value of a standard tool suite

Facilitates collaboration Increases standardization Supports tool integration Increases reusability of work products Drives services efficiencies

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Limitations

Balance point difficult to reach Organizational resistance

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Resistance to using common methods and tools

People complain

“I can’t find the one I need”

“It’s too hard to adapt to my deal”

“I know how to do this, I’ll do it my way”

“You don’t let me be me”

“These are inefficient, what a waste of time”

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In summary…

Why use methods redux

…because methods can create …

“A framework for re-use of common assets and reference models”

Accelerated start-up for people and projects

Better project management

…which leads to…– Improved win rates– More profitable projects