(the last of the Preaching to the Choir series...)
IT Methodology – Corporate Interfaces
In some organizations the following operational infrastructure (bodies) may exist. They interface with the IT Methodology - Organizational Audiences to contribute to the delivery and support of an IT methodology.
Process/Project Management Office (PMO)
In some organizations a group of experts in the fields of industry recognize standards, methodologies, best practices, quality frameworks are assembled for the purpose of guiding organizational process improvement, change management and quality initiatives. They normally report to Senior Management and are accountable for defining and implementing organizational IT methodologies, policies, processes, guidelines and “best practices”. The PMO are traditionally deemed as the “organizational owners” of all IT methodologies and are responsible for the creation, institutionalization, training and support of these methodologies.
Corporate Training Staff
In some organizations a group of resources are dedicated to delivering overall training (including IT methodologies) to organizational staff. They are responsible for ensuring corporate training standards exist and are applied (including IT methodology training) to the delivery of all corporate training. The training staff collaborate with the PMO to guide the development and delivery of the IT methodology training needs.
Communications Staff
In some organizations a number of resources are dedicated to developing and overseeing all internal and
external communications – including the status and progress of PMO initiatives. These resources are accountable for developing and applying communication strategies and plans to ensure the “proper” message is consistently being delivered. These resources work with the PMO to ensure all organizational staff remain up to date and informed on the progress of the IT methodology implementation.
Corporate Quality Assurance/Governance Resources
In some organizations a team is assembled to monitor how the organizationally approved processes, standards, and IT methodologies are being applied. These resources work with IT staff and project team members to support the implementation of the approved corporate processes, standards, and IT methodologies – they usually have an independent reporting structure direct to organizational Senior Management. These resources use an IT methodology as the basis for performing process audits and reviews with the project teams. The audits consist of checking to see if and how the pre-defined deliverables of the IT methodology are being applied by the project teams. The underlying principle is that “quality” will be incorporated into the end product or system/application if the IT methodology has been effectively applied.
Wrap Up
An IT Methodology is a mechanism that can be used to consistently deliver quality applications on time and within budget. It provides benefits and support to a number of organizational roles that are responsible for delivering IT efficiency and ROI.
Cameron Watson
Cameron Watson is the President of QAIassist. QAIassist helps organizations increase and optimze their IT delivery and support efficiency. QAIassist's Integrated Methodology incorporates the disciplines and deliverables required for organizations to consistently deliver quality applications on time and within budget.