Midagon White Paper – Managing ICT Development: Selection Between Agile, Hybrid and Waterfall methodologies
In our previous white paper, we described the origins and nature of the Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall methodologies for managing ICT development. In this white paper, we provide guidelines for the reader to select the suitable methodologies for different tasks and situations. One single methodology is not always enough, and sometimes it makes sense to use them in parallel within a development program or portfolio.
We start the selection by considering whether the ICT development is a one-off exercise or continuous by nature. We then examine different decision-making situations and the priorities and constraints of management. Finally, we present ways to ensure success after the selection of methodology. A special focus is in making the agile approach work, since it is currently receiving considerable hype.
Midagon White Paper – Managing ICT Development: Introduction to Agile, Hybrid and Waterfall methodologies
This white paper gives a description of the origins and nature of the Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall methodologies for managing ICT development. The focus is in leading and managing ICT development, although larger transformations typically also contain other elements of the business or operational model.
Here is an overview of the ICT development methodologies based on our experience, the literature and suitable web content. It describes them visually to make the differences easier to understand and remember.
Midagon White Paper: Voimavaroja kehittämiseen, eroon ylläpitohalvauksesta
ICT-markkinoilla eletään voimakasta murrosta, joka myllertää useimmat toiminnan perusrakenteet. Digitalisaatiosta tulee yrityksessä totta, kun puututaan sen rahantekokoneeseen, eli ydintoimintaan. Silloin digitalisaatiota ei voi ajaa enää irtiottona, vaan siitä pitää tulla tekemisen valtavirtaa.
Ongelmaksi muodostuu se, että lähes kaikki voimavarat, henkiset ja taloudelliset, on sidottu siihen, että saadaan pidettyä valot päällä – eli vanha ICT rakennelma luotettavasti toiminnassa. Ja kaikki tekeminen on tietoisesti tai tietämättä viritetty tätä tarkoitusta varten.
Uuden luominen ja samalla vanhan siivoaminen on suuri haaste, mutta siihen urakkaan on pakko ryhtyä. Monilla yrityksillä on jo jonkin aikaa ollut “digital-first” strategia, jossa uuskehitystä on pyritty tekemään moderneilla tavoilla. Tekemämme selvityksen perusteella yhä useampi yritys Suomessa on kuitenkin menossa “all-in” strategiaan, jossa myös vanha perinteinen IT-maailma siivotaan ja modernisoidaan.
Olemme jalostaneet omista kokemuksistamme kypsyysmallin, jonka avulla on mahdollista arvioida kunkin organisaation ja sen prosessien tilanne. Mallin avulla saa myös hyvän ohjenuoran sille, millaisiin kehittämistoimiin kannattaa seuraavaksi ryhtyä.
Midagon White Paper: Why large and complex ICT and digital transformations fail?
Large scale systems projects have a high likelihood of failure. According to (Shaul & Tauber 2013)
a) 90% of ERP implementations are delivered late or are over budget,
b) enterprise initiatives show a 67% fail rate in achieving corporate goals and are considered negative or unsuccessful,
c) more than 40% of all large-scale projects fail.
This is indicative of a real issue that ultimately influences the vitality of organizations.
Business Benefits Realization – Project Management White Paper
It is well-known that a large proportion of business projects and programs fail. Kotter International (2016) states that more than 70% of all major transformations fail. A study by the Standish Group (Hastie, Oct 2015) analyzed 50 000 projects in the software industry; only 29% of them were successful. Gartner estimates that 55 – 75% of ERP projects fail. HBR (March 2011) writes: “… study after study puts the failure rate of mergers and acquisitions somewhere between 70 and 90%.”
ICT Integration in Mergers & Acquisitions ICT M&A White Paper
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are done to obtain synergies, diversify business, grow market share, increase pricing power and eliminate competition (Investopedia, 2017). However, organizations struggle to achieve these targets. According to KMPG (2015), 83 percent of the mergers did not boost shareholder returns. A clear vision for the combined company, excellent planning and execution of integration and commitment on completing the integration are among the key factors in ensuring a successful merger.
Industrial internet is driving industrial transformation Industrial digitalization White Paper
Digitalization is a strategic level game-changer and the first-mover advantage is considered very important. Thus, expectations for the Industrial Internet and IoT are also very high. For some reason, the approach to digitalization for many companies is rather technology-driven as opposed to business-driven. Therefore, as companies proceed with implementing their digitalization capability road-maps, there will be many disappointments. Success, or failure, will be determined by several factors combining strategy, business models, technology, competences, organizational learning, architecture, methods, etc. Regardless of the priority of these factors, focus on the customer is critical.
Digital transformation map – an easy tool to scope your digital transformation, Digital Transformation White Paper
Digital transformation is widely discussed and is impacting every company.
Nearly 2,600 CIOs surveyed by Gartner in 2016 said they devote 18 percent of their budgets to digital transformation, a figure that is expected to increase to 28 percent by 2018. According to CIO.com (Oct.6, 2017) and Harvard Business School, leading digital companies generate better gross margins, better earnings and better net income than organizations in the bottom quarter of digital adopters. In USA, digital leaders posted a three-year average gross margin of 55 percent, compared to just 37 percent for digital laggards.
Process Mining belongs to Industrial Digitalization Industrial Digitalization White Paper
Digitalization is about collecting and using data to create business value. Data, reporting and analytics are the backbones of digitalization. One of the emerging trends in industrial digitalization is process mining. It delivers better productivity and higher cost efficiencies by utilizing data and advanced analytics techniques.
What is process mining? It uses business process events for process visualization and analytics. With detailed event data, one can discover the exact flow of the events. One can then compare the results with a company’s defined processes and see the deviations.
Key templates for successful project
Project Management Tools is a collection of key project management templates within a methodology framework. It is free of charge and can be used by companies in their own business and in-house training.
The toolbox provides a minimum set of templates needed to run a project successfully and a minimum must for project management to maximize business benefits realization.
Read more about the approach we have used and documents included in the Toolbox.
Using PM Tools in your business
Please see how we can help you to use Project Management Tools.