Advanced Delivery Methodology Courtesy of Data Management That

Advanced Delivery Methodology Courtesy of Data Management That Works VCU Information Systems Institute

Why use a Methodology? To help use resources wisely l To help ensure that systems meet owners’ and users’ expectations l To help standardize projects so that lessons may be learned can become part of the Enterprise’s culture l VCU Information Systems Institute

Standish Group 1995 Study They talked to IS executives and managers and evaluated 385 companies in major industries like: banking, manufacturing, retail, health care, insurance, and government. l The research represented 8, 380 applications in development or deployed in 1995. l VCU Information Systems Institute

Staggering Statistics l l l US Organizations spend more than $250 Billion each year on more than 175, 000 Information Technology projects. 31% of these projects will be cancelled, $81 Billion spent without results. About half of projects cost nearly twice their original estimates (53% & 189%). About $59 Billion is spent for projects that eventually complete, but exceed original time & cost estimates. Overall, 16% of software projects are completed on time and in budget, only 9% in largest organizations studied. VCU Information Systems Institute

More Staggering Statistics Projects completed by the largest companies have only 42% of originally proposed features and functions. l For smaller companies, 78% reach deployment with at least 74% of their original features and functions. l VCU Information Systems Institute

Factors for Success l The Standish Group found these key factors for excellence in IT project delivery: User involvement » Clear requirement statement » Executive and management support » Formal methodolgy » VCU Information Systems Institute

Comparison of Methodologies l Traditional Systems Development Methodology » » l Typical of shops using 3 GL Analyze --> Specify --> Design --> Develop --> Test & Debug --> Deliver Advanced Delivery Methodology » » As practiced by Uni. Data’s professional services teams using SB+ 4 GL, postrelational application environment Expertize in 4 GL tools and business processes --> Analysis through Joint Application Design & Prototyping --> Specification --> Dynamic Rapid Application Development --> Quality Assurance by Developer & Acceptor --> Delivery VCU Information Systems Institute

Traditional Methodology Analysis Design Development Test & Debug Iterations System Specification VCU Information Systems Institute Deliverable System

All too often. . . Analysis Design Development Test & Debug Iterations System Specification VCU Information Systems Institute Deliverable System

Problems with Traditional Methodology l It is not flexible » » l It is risky » » l End-user is restricted by initial specifications and doesn’t know it until post-delivery No user buy-in, little influence in specification or design Developers don’t communicate with end-users for most of the design & development trade-offs and decisions Deliverable systems may ‘miss the boat’ Long Delivery Cycles » » High costs Not responsive to business needs VCU Information Systems Institute

A Modern Methodology l Advanced Delivery Methodology (ADM) » » Development team knows 4 GL environment and is familiar with users’ applications and expectations Joint Application Design (JAD) workshops involve developers and end-users – – Ensure and encourage high end-user involvement and ownership in software design and implementation Enables ongoing and instant feedback on work-in-progress and deliverable, avoids ‘missing the boat’ Enhances and develops communications and relationships with the customers (KEY success factor!) Goal is a prototype, not a deliverable application system VCU Information Systems Institute

Friendly JAD l Design workshop with developers and end-users Team of Users & Developers do Joint Application Design VCU Information Systems Institute Developers use Rapid Application Development to prototype systems

Advanced Delivery Methodology l Features software prototyping with minimal commitment to final design » » Ensures functional objectives are being met through interim checkpoints Provides the ability to identify changes in scope quickly and cost-effectively Encourages user involvement in system design and tradeoffs, executives and management see results and costs Enhances and develops communications with the customers VCU Information Systems Institute

Dynamic RAD Approach Reports - Forms - Menus Validations - Defaults Navigation Flow - Security File Definitions Transaction & Update Definitions VCU Information Systems Institute Presentation Business Logic Database Schema

An Application Module Presentation Business Logic Database Schema VCU Information Systems Institute

Dynamic RAD Vertical Prototyping Presentation Business Logic G/L & Tax Database Schema Purchasing Scheduling VCU Information Systems Institute Order Entry Horizontal Prototyping

Application Development JAD RAD Development VCU Information Systems Institute

Development Standards l Feature a set of pre-defined rules and standards for developers to follow » » » Presentation, navagation, coding, & design standards Promotes consistency through application life cycle Encourages use of ‘Best Practices’ by developers Customization is specifically for each project Allows continuous enhancement and update VCU Information Systems Institute

Advanced Delivery Methodology JAD VCU Information Systems Institute RAD QA

Quality Assurance l ADM features an easy method to provide QA-on-the-fly » » » Unit testing rather than module testing Facilitates easy problem isolation Minimizes programmiing errors (bugs) Reduces QA time requirements Traps significant design issues well in advance VCU Information Systems Institute

Advanced Delivery Methodology JAD VCU Information Systems Institute RAD QA

Structured Project Management l Each phase in the methodolgy is treated as a ‘project’ with: » » » l a particular end-product a deliverer an acceptor The project management process is easily adapted, since the principles remain the same. VCU Information Systems Institute

Formal Project Management l Utilizes formal procedures: » » » l Estimating Deliverable Acceptance Scope Changes QA & Testing Project Status Reporting & Tracking Project Book includes: » Estimating templates, deliverable acceptance, change requests, unit test results, QA checklists, project status reports, project time sheets VCU Information Systems Institute

Formal Project Management l Tools Include: » » » » Task based estimating Estimating using formal methods & benchmarks Project scheduling using Gantt & Pert charts Monitoring budget vs. actual Time tracking per task/resource Progressive, periodical project reporting Allows early warning on task slippage Enables delivery on-time & within budget VCU Information Systems Institute

Advanced Delivery Methodology JAD RAD VCU Information Systems Institute QA System is Delivered