Page 60 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Software Project Management

Notes By taking each step of the process, and asking “What infrastructure would make this more
efficient?” a model of the infrastructure can be built.

Standing Infrastructure

The project view is not the only view. In order to undertake projects, there is also a standing
infrastructure. This is analogous to having a HR department to recruit staff for a line of business.
One cannot exist without the other. The standing infrastructure will include things like:
 Knowledge management

 Skills optimization
 Resource Management
 Training

 QA
 Reporting
The projects will draw on the standing infrastructure in order to complete their work. Some will
be visible when you look at your project process model, however not all will be visible.

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Caution A view needs to be take from a Project Management Office perspective to
understand what other standing infrastructure needs to be included.

Gap Analysis

Given we now have a much clearer view of what is required, we can compare this with what
already exists. What we will see will be:
 Existing materials that fit the proposed project infrastructure
 Existing material that does not fit but could be reworked to fit
 Existing material that does not fit, and will never fit
 Gaps

 Duplication of materials (e.g. In one organization I found 4 templates to request seed
funding for a project. They were all in use).

Implementing the Infrastructure

It is likely there will be well-established positions when it comes to giving up the old. Some
people will use approach A and see no reason to use approach B. Some will use B and see no
reason to use A. If there are valid reasons for only using one approach, then it will need to be
enforced. You will need the support of senior management to make it happen.

Before you start the process, there should be activities around selling the concept of a project
infrastructure. There will be benefits to the company, but will there be benefits to individuals?
Here are some suggestions to help acceptance.

Working Teams

Form working teams to expand parts of the project infrastructure. For example, you might
have a “Project Initiation Team” who put together the entire infrastructure to establish a

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