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I found this interesting article on the Executive Brief website. It advocates integrating the cloud computing service model and agile approaches to bring IT into the business. This is to deliver solutions irrespective of an IT group's ability and despite their governance (or lack thereof) processes.
As the author Mark Thiele states,
I can’t remember how many times I’ve bemoaned the fact that the business didn’t effectively consider IT before making a decision... The business should be able to forget IT, they should be able to look at the business opportunity and determine its viability solely on its merits, not on whether IT can keep up. However, I’m not trying to say IT should become invisible. On the contrary, the need to have IT working “in” the business has never been more important. Who better to translate a business process or work effort into a potential IT solution than someone who understands how IT can be applied?
The article goes on to outline a more “fluid IT” model that has both aspects of both Agile and cloud computing services that he outlines as follows:
- Rapid deployment of new workloads
- Try before you buy
- Buy only what you need, only for as long as you need it
- Get out of the business of running infrastructure and instead deliver higher level strategic value
- Greater flexibility in technology adoption strategies
- Lower costs (maybe)
- Greener (maybe)
In my view, I could see the above used as a basis for an Agile PMO using a cloud computing deployment model. I’d rephrase Thiele’s outline like this
- Rapid deployment of new iterations (or Sprints for Scrum’ers)
- A “potentially shippable product” at the end of iterations that business could try before they buy
- A “money for nothing, changes for free” Agile procurement model (could definitely be used if you are doing internal charge backs to business for IT services)
- Focus on business value and collaboration rather than standards and processes
- Embrace and create a culture of responding and adapting to change rather than resisting it
- Lower costs by delivering products faster and with higher quality
- Be an advocate for sustainability by incorporating Agile, Lean and Green
Could this make for a more “fluid” PMO? Or is this idea too idealistic, or worse, just another instance of more buzz words and overhyped technical solutions masquerading as a viable solution?
As always, I welcome your feedback whether positive, negative or indifferent!
Posted on: September 28, 2012 03:08 PM |
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