Tim ArthurRetired| SelfPalm City, Nc, United States
What are they? Does anyone know?
I have good respect for Keane, and Rational's unified process (RUP). Although there are hundreds of vendors that sell PM software, can anyone cite what the industry's best choices are as far as a robust project mgt methodology. To clarify, I am seeking to understand the top 3 documented processes which more thank likely will be published in some web format. This is different than other software productivity tools such as MS Project, Placeware, etc.
Thanks!
Tim in Cary NC Saving Changes...
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Michael BrownProject Manager| JPMorganChaseDeerfield, Il, United States
This is a tough question - and it's also open a bit to interpretation. RUP, for example, is really less of a Project Management Methodology than it is a Systems Design & Development Methodology, based on Object Oriented Analysis & Design. You'll find a similar mindset among those practicing "XP" - Extreme Programming Methodology.
By Project Management Methodology, I assume you're speaking more along the lines of pure project management processes as described in the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge? Another Project Management methodology you might look into is PRINCE2 out of England. It's an IT Independent project management process which is very well regarded and used throughout England and Europe. Saving Changes...
Tim ArthurRetired| SelfPalm City, Nc, United States
I appreciate the response.
RUP is in fact somewhat branded as an OO SW Dev methodology, but upon closer examination it is much more than that. It's integral PM component and 'genericness' overall allow it to be effective on more than just OO. It does lean more towards benefiting SW developers than say, commercial construction. RUP in effect, models many (if not most of the) principles that the PMBOK espouse.
I'll look for more on Prince2, thanks for the tip.
What I was seeking was the top competitors that sell packages that help corporations apply PMI's principles. There are hundreds of point solutions, but to my knowledge, RUP seems most complete.
I would recommend that some of the most documented methodologies are PMBOK, PACE, Prince2, and RUP.
I have some experience with PMBOK, RUP and PACE, but not with Prince2. I have heard of Prince2 and looked into it, but I seem to have a hard time getting a useful copy. As others have stated, it is very popular in European countries.
Something that hasn’t been mentioned here is gantthead’s own PACE project management methodology. PACE is a clear and scalable methodology that incorporates most of the major points of the PMBOK. What I love most about PACE is the integrated support information and templates.
The PACE methodology includes not only a scalable WBS, but all of the activities defined with resources and estimates. This has helped me to understand exactly how much time to plan into the project just in PM overhead. There are also graphics and template documents that are very helpful.
The bottom line for project management methodologies is simple: they must provide consistent, repeatable and easily estimated processes for managing projects so that project managers can account for the project management overhead involved with every project and have a foolproof way of making sure that all of their project bases are covered. Saving Changes...
Tim ArthurRetired| SelfPalm City, Nc, United States
Thanks for the response. Indeed, it is a shortlist of "processes" that are absolutely tool independent, robust, et al.
I checked PACE out, and it looks pretty darn generic. Best I can tell, RUP seems to be best of class in the SW dev arena. Saving Changes...
This is great discussion. I just started an assignment to come up with a PM methodology PLUS "IT Project" lifecycle (not only software development but for other IT projects that may involve hardware, network, outsource,etc.) for a Fortune 50 company. They would like process flows, tools, and templates. One alternative is homegrown, but I am also researching RUP (and agree with what's being said about it) as well as PACE. I have not heard of PRINCE and will check it out. As a PMP, I will be infusing PMIBOK into whatever I publish, which will be via a web-based Knowledge Repository. I would really like to know what you ended up going with, Tim. Saving Changes...
Michael BrownProject Manager| JPMorganChaseDeerfield, Il, United States
One other "product" to look into is PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) Summit-Ascendent methodology and toolset. It's a systems life cycle methodology with quite a bit of updates for (and inclusions of) RUP and other OOAD techniques. Saving Changes...
Tim ArthurRetired| SelfPalm City, Nc, United States
I've peeked at it (10 minute demo), and was impressed at how comprehensive it is. However, what I saw in the demo and have seen via this process is more of waterfall process.
Since asking my initial question below, my answer's met. There are a good array of SW Dev methodologies out there, some are very good and some aren't. Thanks for your responses. Saving Changes...
From this discussion thread it is unclear to me what is meant by the Top 3 PMMs. For example, is the criteria based on 1-PM Methodology Only 2-Integrated PM & Application Development Methodology 3-PM Tool only 4-PM Methology & Tool plus Application Development Methodology & Tool...
The reason I ask this is that RUP is great as an OO Methodology - but in my opinion has some weaknesses - in particular in PM and Application Development Data componments. For example, is there a good estimating tool based on RUP metrics? if so, I need to review RUP again - and RUP is very expensive from Rational. What RUP based methods tools & techniques are available for planning and controlling projects?
In my opinion a definition of the scope of what is included in the Top 3 needs to be clearly understood. Saving Changes...
Tim ArthurRetired| SelfPalm City, Nc, United States
The question asked in the original post has been answered. This thread is now complete. In summary, I sought what you considered "industry standard", "commercially available" PMMs. The scope of PMMs is vast, to say the least. My scope dealt with software development, but which could be adapted to encompass SW + nonsoftware and finally, a project that is not software related at all.
I recommend Gantthead readers become familiar with
