Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One

Home
>
Business Management
>
Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One

Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One

OK. So you have decided that your organization has to improve the way in which it works. You have chosen to implement a methodology as the best way to achieve this goal. And now you ask yourself, where do I start? Whatever the discipline you are trying to model (from software development to supply chain management), it is highly probable that a standard framework exists, that can serve as the basis for your own methodology.

WHAT IS A STANDARD FRAMEWORK?

A standard framework is a set of best practices, normally expressed as a set of repeatable processes created by an organization (a professional association, university, public administration, etc...). These frameworks are sometimes referred to as bodies of knowledge, methodologies, etc...

Standard frameworks cannot be applied out of the box. They are aimed at a wide spectrum of organizations and thus cannot be detailed to a level at which they are ready to use. In order to have an executable set of processes, a project has to be undertaken in order to fill the gap between the framework best practices and your methodology executable processes. This gap is filled when you have translated the best practices into concrete procedures and policies that take into account the characteristics of your organization and its environment.

For example, when the framework says "determine which risks might affect the project and document their characteristics" the methodology can say "the project leader registers all project risks in the risk list and documents its characteristics". The methodology also provides a link to the excel spreadsheet that is used as a template for the risk list, and a description of the project leader role in the organization (skills needed, minimum experience, etc...)

Some of the existing frameworks that can be used as a base for a methodology are the following:

- IT Service Management: ITIL / COBIT / MOF
- Project Management: PMBoK / PRINCE2
- Software Development: RUP / OPEN Process Framework
- etc...

ADVANTAGES OF USING A STANDARD FRAMEWORK

- You can take advantage of the work made by experienced professionals in the field.

- It establishes a standard terminology, that enhances communication both internally and externally.

- It facilitates process benchmarking, so that you can know how well you are performing compared to other organizations.

- Software vendors create products that are compliant with the framework, so you will be able to find software that automates your processes smoothly.

- Your employees are motivated. They learn something that adds value to them professionally.

- Mainstream frameworks evolve over time, so you will be able to enhance your methodology.

WHICH FRAMEWORK SHOULD I CHOOSE?

When choosing a framework the following must be taken into account:

- Research and investigate. It is normal that several frameworks exist for one discipline.

- Determine which standard best meets your needs in terms of industry, size of the organization, etc...

- Determine how the standard integrates with standards of other disciplines.

- Evaluate the structure of the framework. Does it have a uniform structure and format for all process descriptions? Does it name roles consistently?

- Evaluate scope. Does it contains all the processes you need to describe? Does it make reference to the supporting systems? - Does it contain guidelines and templates?

- Evaluate accordance to your company characteristics. You might find that one standard is too heavy for your needs.

Having said this, please note that processes that seem very complex in the framework can be implemented through very simple processes that embed the most value-adding best practices.

SUGGESTIONS

- Implement processes gradually and start with those processes that demonstrate most value.

- Choose a wining framework used by a big number of organizations.

- Choose a framework that maps to a Capability Maturity Model. This way you can have a roadmap and gain visibility on where you want to be.

Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant ? Process documentation software a company specialized in delivering process solutions to knowledge based companies. They pioneered this concept with metoCube.

Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant ? Process documentation software, a company specialized in delivering process solutions to knowledge based companies. They pioneered this concept with metoCube.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Gaza violence rages on despite UN cease-fire call (AP)

AP - The U.N. Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, but an intense bombardment of missiles from Israeli jets and helicopters early Friday and a barrage of Hamas rockets indicated there may be no quick end to the fighting.

Illinois House on verge of impeaching Blagojevich (AP)

AP - Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces almost certain impeachment by the Illinois House, a historic step that would trigger a trial to determine whether the Democratic governor should be tossed out of office.

Toxic coal ash piling up in ponds in 32 states (AP)

AP - Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.

Cheney warns against impulsive action in Iraq (AP)

AP - Vice President Dick Cheney, warning against impulsive U.S. action in Iraq, says that whether the struggling nation backslides into a cycle of violence partly depends on how President-elect Barack Obama decides to pull out American forces.

Obama to finalize national security team Friday (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama is completing his national security team by announcing his unusual choices for CIA director and a national intelligence director who may face tough Senate confirmation questioning over how he confronted the Indonesian military when civilian massacres were occurring in East Timor.

Mini Dynasty: Tebow leads Gators past Oklahoma (AP)

AP - The game defied expectations. Tim Tebow fulfilled them. He rescued No. 1 Florida, running through and throwing over No. 2 Oklahoma for a 24-14 victory Thursday night that gave the Gators their second BCS championship in three years.

Most Asian markets fall ahead of US jobs report (AP)

AP - Most Asian stock markets fell Friday amid more corporate gloom and worries that a key U.S. jobs report could show recession in the world's largest economy is deepening.

Obama: Congress must act boldly and now on economy (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama implored Congress on Thursday to "act boldly and act now" to fix an economy growing perilously weaker. Democratic and Republican lawmakers complained about his tax policies, letting Obama know they intend to place their own stamp on the economic recovery effort.

Job losses stack up as recession deepens (AP)

AP - Trying to survive a deepening recession, employers are cutting their work forces to the bone, leaving more Americans unemployed and with dim prospects of finding a new job any time soon.

Critics' final answer: `Slumdog' wins 5 awards (AP)

AP - The critics have spoken, and "Slumdog Millionaire" is their final answer.

World waits on jobs data as recession weighs (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. employers probably cut the most jobs in at least 34 years last month as the global economic crisis gathered pace and moves by policy makers took time to filter through to struggling companies.

U.N. calls for immediate Gaza truce (Reuters)

Reuters - Israel pushed ahead with its two-week-old offensive in the Gaza Strip, ignoring a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Panel steps up criticism of Treasury: report (Reuters)

Reuters - A report being released on Friday alleges that the U.S. Treasury has failed to reveal its strategy for stabilizing the financial system, not answered questions asked by a government watchdog, and has done nothing to help struggling homeowners, the Wall Street Journal said.

EU seeks gas supply return after deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Europe sought a swift restoration of gas supplies on Friday after striking a deal with Moscow on monitoring gas shipments via Ukraine that have been halted by a pricing dispute with Kiev.

Citi backs measure to help avoid foreclosures (Reuters)

Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc will support a proposal in Congress to rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said on Thursday.

Illinois panel recommends governor's impeachment (Reuters)

Reuters - A legislative committee on Thursday recommended the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing widespread abuse of power including allegations he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama team amending financial rescue package: report (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama's economic team is urgently overhauling the $700 billion financial rescue package to broaden its scope beyond Wall Street, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

Qaeda Pakistan leader believed dead: U.S. official (Reuters)

Reuters - Al Qaeda's operations chief in Pakistan and a top aide are believed to be dead, a U.S. counterterrorism official said on Thursday, in what appeared to be the latest results of a campaign targeting the militant group's leadership.

Gaza toll mounts as UN Security Council urges immediate truce (AFP)

AFP - Israel carried out new deadly air raids on the Gaza Strip on Friday as the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire to end the two-week-old conflict in the Palestinian enclave.

Hopes for Russia gas deal after EU claims breakthrough (AFP)

AFP - European states deprived of Russian gas amid freezing weather were Friday hoping for a resumption of deliveries after the European Union claimed a breakthrough in the crisis between Moscow and Kiev.

Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One

Business Management Business Management