Hannah WolfSenior Program Manager| UbisoftSan Francisco, Ca, United States
My company is growing out of its homegrown PM tools. We're looking for recommendations on a comprehensive framework that could provide best practices and tested tools while allowing us some flexibility.
We've looked at UPMM, which was pretty good, but would love to get feedback from folks on this forum about other tools they've used.
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Prabhas SinhaDirector - Product Management| CAHyderabad, India
Hannah, people would like to hear more on the nature of your business before a meaningful recommendation can be made. For example, if you are in the investment banking domain, there are specific vendors offering PM tools, if you're in construction then there are other tools, if you're into IT/Software Lifecycle management there are different vendor's offerings.
Other questions would be: you just wanna do project planning or you really wanna have a handle on the execution as well?
Last but not the least, what is the problem at hand that you wanna solve?
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We too outgrew our project management tools and methods, largely due to our business and IT project workload doubling and due to our need to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley. We recently implemented Microsoft's Project Server and SharePoint for resource and document management along with BOT's Processes On Demand for SOX compliant project management, SDLC, and change management processes. We continue to use Intuit's "Trak-It!" for help desk. I don't know anything about UPPM, but we evaluated a number of really nice tools that each had their own merits. If you are looking for a CMMI aligned framework, have a look at ProcessMax by PragmaSystems. For software development specifically, IBM RUP is a great framework especially if you are using the other Rational tools. And for a more customized framework, you might look at PMCoP by PM Solutions. Saving Changes...
Hannah WolfSenior Program Manager| UbisoftSan Francisco, Ca, United States
Scott and Prabhas, thanks for your replies. We're the IT group supporting the US corporate office of an international video-game company, mostly Sales and Finance. We're in a high growth phase, so our business processes can be a little challenging. Our overall goal is to make solid tools and templates available to not only my group of PMs but also our business partners so that we can keep developing our PM maturity companywide. Saving Changes...
Hi Hannah,
It may be worth checking that you are asking the right question. Project Management tools and templates need to reflect and enable the business environment you are in, and how you want to manage the business going forward. Many companies create or call things "projects" after specific gateways (such as project charter or business case. You may need to start at the top and look at the total flow from concept to conclusion. The relationship to investment decisions, strategy, project creation and reporting requirements could change the decisions you make, and the processes you need to put into place before tool decisions are made. Saving Changes...
Many companies I have worked with have outgrown their tools and methodologies, especially in today's environment of quick changes, SOX, Six Sigma and other requirements. Let me recommend an easy to use tool providing high return...eProject (wwww.eproject.com). eProject has many solutions in a Box complete with templates, schedules and everything you need to get up and running with best in breed processes. You can also use the environment to create complete templates from successful project including schedules, documents, processes, roles, etc. eProject will provide one of th highest returns because your project teams will want to use it and can be creative to provide real solutions in a collaborative environment. Check it out to see what I mean. Saving Changes...
Senior Advisor to the CEO| PMISterling, Va, United States
I've got another biased opinion - but I'll offer it anyway. If you have a moment, take a look at the most recent addition to gantthead's corporate membership offering - Project HEADWAY. We've licensed the PMBOK from PMI and integrated it into what I hope it the best PM Process out there. -- but you be the judge. Saving Changes...
Prabhas SinhaDirector - Product Management| CAHyderabad, India
Well, wouldnt hurt evenif there is a direct selling. It still is an informative post and people would get to know of various tools available. As Dave said, its upto the people to evaluate which one fits them well. Saving Changes...
George JucanManaging Partner| Organizational Perfomance Enablers NetworkWoodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Hannah, from your question regarding recommendations for a comprehensive project management framework and your reference to UPMM I actually understand that you’re looking for a project management methodology to replace your existing toolset.
It is certainly a good idea to look outside for best practices, but make sure that you don’t loose from focus your ultimate goal, which should be successful project delivery. No project management methodology by itself will ensure a successful project delivery. The project manager’s ability in coordinating an motivating the team, in managing stakeholders expectations, managing the project “technicalities” (scope, time/schedule, cost, risk, quality, communications, human resources, procurement), in dealing with executives and customers etc., that is what ensures a successful completion. A methodology (any methodology) is only a set of tools, templates, methods and guidelines available to the project manager to use as he/she sees fit for the project specifics.
So, what methodology is best for your company? A very short response: yours. You can start from PMBOK and define the documents etc referenced there, you can purchase a “template” methodology and adjust / fill in gaps, you can take your existing toolset at the next level, it does not really matter. What is really important is that the methodology you end up with is clearly anchored in you company’s realities. Do not try to change the company to fit a methodology: it will never work. Take a guidebook (either PMBOK or a template methodology) and adjust it to create your own methodology.
And the final word reiterate the idea I started with: a good methodology increases your chances but does not ensure project’s success. The project manager’s abilities are of utmost importance in driving the project to a successful completion. So please do not fall in the trap of implementing processes and templates but forget about the people that will use them – without the people all those forms will not be worth the price of the paper they’re printed on.
Based largely on your statement "our business processes can be a little challenging. Our overall goal is to make solid tools and templates available to not only my group of PMs but also our business partners so that we can keep developing our PM maturity companywide" I would recommend a tool like Interneer Intellect. Intellect is a web-based system designed to be very flexible and adapt to the unique processes of any organization, department and individual. Since it is designed to be adaptable they can have a customized solution available for you within a fraction of the time of custom hard coded software. Additionally, it is designed to change as requirements change. Sounds like a great fit for your organization.
I would recommend visiting the page below for the best explanations of what you are looking for, and also registering to actually try the product demo. Please note that the configuration features are turned off for the demo... but Interneer sets up guided demos if you request them…
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