| |
| |
|
Management Information |
|
|
|
Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One
OK. So you have decided that your organization has to improve the way in which it works. You have chosen to implement a methodology as the best way to achieve this goal. And now you ask yourself, where do I start? Whatever the discipline you are trying to model (from software development to supply chain management), it is highly probable that a standard framework exists, that can serve as the basis for your own methodology. WHAT IS A STANDARD FRAMEWORK? A standard framework is a set of best practices, normally expressed as a set of repeatable processes created by an organization (a professional association, university, public administration, etc...). These frameworks are sometimes referred to as bodies of knowledge, methodologies, etc... Standard frameworks cannot be applied out of the box. They are aimed at a wide spectrum of organizations and thus cannot be detailed to a level at which they are ready to use. In order to have an executable set of processes, a project has to be undertaken in order to fill the gap between the framework best practices and your methodology executable processes. This gap is filled when you have translated the best practices into concrete procedures and policies that take into account the characteristics of your organization and its environment. For example, when the framework says "determine which risks might affect the project and document their characteristics" the methodology can say "the project leader registers all project risks in the risk list and documents its characteristics". The methodology also provides a link to the excel spreadsheet that is used as a template for the risk list, and a description of the project leader role in the organization (skills needed, minimum experience, etc...) Some of the existing frameworks that can be used as a base for a methodology are the following: - IT Service Management: ITIL / COBIT / MOF ADVANTAGES OF USING A STANDARD FRAMEWORK - You can take advantage of the work made by experienced professionals in the field. - It establishes a standard terminology, that enhances communication both internally and externally. - It facilitates process benchmarking, so that you can know how well you are performing compared to other organizations. - Software vendors create products that are compliant with the framework, so you will be able to find software that automates your processes smoothly. - Your employees are motivated. They learn something that adds value to them professionally. - Mainstream frameworks evolve over time, so you will be able to enhance your methodology. WHICH FRAMEWORK SHOULD I CHOOSE? When choosing a framework the following must be taken into account: - Research and investigate. It is normal that several frameworks exist for one discipline. - Determine which standard best meets your needs in terms of industry, size of the organization, etc... - Determine how the standard integrates with standards of other disciplines. - Evaluate the structure of the framework. Does it have a uniform structure and format for all process descriptions? Does it name roles consistently? - Evaluate scope. Does it contains all the processes you need to describe? Does it make reference to the supporting systems? - Does it contain guidelines and templates? - Evaluate accordance to your company characteristics. You might find that one standard is too heavy for your needs. Having said this, please note that processes that seem very complex in the framework can be implemented through very simple processes that embed the most value-adding best practices. SUGGESTIONS - Implement processes gradually and start with those processes that demonstrate most value. - Choose a wining framework used by a big number of organizations. - Choose a framework that maps to a Capability Maturity Model. This way you can have a roadmap and gain visibility on where you want to be. Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant - Process documentation software a company specialized in delivering process solutions to knowledge based companies. They pioneered this concept with metoCube. Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant - Process documentation software, a company specialized in delivering process solutions to knowledge based companies. They pioneered this concept with metoCube.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Faith is the LIFE-blood of Your ACTIONS before the Benefit - Nothing has changed. Your ancestors lived by faith. Five Principles of Effective Communication The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred. George Bernard ShawI'm sure this has happened to you: a colleague has just done the exact opposite of what you wanted him to do. Recognition: A Quick, Low-cost Way to Motivate Employees Recognizing good performance through praise or other positive action is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to motivate people. It provides three major benefits: It lets people know that their performance was valued, and increases the likelihood that they will continue to perform well. Loyalty, Motivation And Work-Life Balance Managers who aren't loyal to their people can't expect loyalty in return. Companies that complain about employee loyalty have usually done nothing to earn loyalty, often routinely lying to employees, demanding sacrifices that are never rewarded, shunting them aside and casting them off in the name of good business. How To Get What You Really Want As a small business owner, entrepreneur or independent professional, it's important to make plans. It's also important to have the time to let things happen. 5 Awesome Actions of Highly Creative Leaders! How many times have you wondered why you are unable to "think-out-of-the-box" more often?We are all products of our environment and our backgrounds usually prevent us from viewing situations with the unique eyes of our personal experience.However, the leaders who think "out-of-the-proverbial-box" do so by incorporating what I like to see as a, Strategically Wise Synergistic Process of Creation. Innovation Management - does the idea fit with the firm? Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Four Ways To Make the Case For Outsourcing How do you convert outsourcing leads into clients? You may need to make the case for outsourcing."Businesses today are kicking into survival mode," says Bill Allison, managing director for the Pacific Southwest Management Solutions & Services Group at Deloitte & Touche. Three Business Lessons From The US Postal Service There was a buzz in the air recently about the US Postal Service. Seems as though they were running into a budget deficit in the billions. Delegate, Dont Abdicate One of the key skills for the leaders of growing businesses is to 'get' the distinction between delegation and abdication.Many managers and business leaders fall into one of two extreme categories:They delegate too little and try to do it all themselves or they give too much away, abdicating both their responsibilities and the prerogatives of power. Poly Bags and Pallet Shrouds - Just Get it Right For many companies, procuring the right packaging, such as Poly Bags can be daunting. This is especially true of polythene bags. Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Ideas for Everyday Training This article relates to the Training competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. It tells the story of a group of team leaders who worked together to find ways to use information sharing and communication to provide valuable employee training. How Your Business Can Pick A Software Developer Eventually, your business is going to need to have some software development. Your business is unique - you can't rely on a huge, faceless corporation to handle your unique needs with a shrinkwrapped, mass produced, production-line solution. Einstein - Definition of Insanity Insanity in the Sign & Graphics IndustryEinstein's DefinitionAlbert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". Think about this quote for a second and ask yourself, does this quote apply to the way you run your company?Have you been doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? If so, then you might want to keep on reading. Leadership Skills Means Turnover is Not a Problem "Ha!" you say. "For someone to make a statement like that, they obviously haven't worked in the real world and certainly have never had to run a company. How to Manage Your Most Valuable Assets - People? People management and leadership has become a major topic of conversation in today's market place and have assumed mythical qualities. Managing you people is not that difficult if you are willing to invest one thing in their development; YOU. The Gift of Gratitude Gratitude might seem like a soft or even an obvious subject to you. Perhaps you would rather read about a leadership lesson or a marketing approach or even a motivational technique. What to Do When Trust is Low Trust is essential. You can't run a business without it. Humor in Business With the advancement of computer simulators, anybody can repeat all the business routines before he goes to the field, and have the opportunity of relaxing from the tedious work with numbers. The businessman can concentrate more on the human factors: The Customer Service, the relationships among fellow workers, and self care. What Every Manager Should Know About How to Become An Effective Executive In his book, The Effective Executive, Peter Drucker pointed out that the effective executive is the person who focuses on making a contribution.This focus on the making of a contribution is the key.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
