On time and under budget – that’s the dream, right?
Whenever a new project starts, it seems like everyone has an opinion on the best way to run it and the best methodology to use. One thing that I think we can agree on though, is that it’s rare for a project to run smoothly and deliver on time and cost.
Too many projects are initiated without a clear understanding of the scope, requirements, and resources needed, leading to unrealistic timelines and budgets. Add in any unexpected challenges, poor communication and collaboration, as well as other changes that can arise during the project lifecycle, and those delays soon begin to mount up.
So what’s the answer? If you’re using Waterfall, should you switch entirely to Agile, or vice versa? What if elements of one work, can you combine it with the other? How would that even look? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether Agile or Waterfall is best. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best approach for any given project will depend on a variety of factors.
In the Business Technology Standard we have the Adaptable Project Model, which gives you the flexibility to use Agile alongside other techniques. It means that you’re using the right project methodology when the time is right to use it.
If you’d like more information, get in touch for a chat.
Cybercrime – know the signs
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, CIOs must protect their organisations’ sensitive data and systems from breaches and attacks – but it’s important to make sure you’re going about it the right way. Think you’ve fallen victim to an attack? You need to know whether your organisation’s system may have been targeted or attacked by hackers, outside of the usual firewall warnings. Signs can include:- Unusual network activity, eg high network traffic, slow network performance, or frequent network disruptions.
- Unfamiliar logins or activity, eg logins from an IP address located in a foreign country.
- Changes in system behaviour, such as new apps or files appearing on your system, unauthorised changes to your system settings, or unexpected system crashes
- Data breaches – if your organisation’s sensitive data has been stolen, leaked or compromised, it’s a strong indication of a cyberattack.
Cybercrime is an issue that isn’t going to go away, and it’s imperative to make sure your organisation is doing everything it can to protect itself. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with us today to get an assessment.
Meanwhile, over at Xonetic...
Take up of the BT standard is this months hot topic. The Standard is comprehensive and therefore agreeing where to start can be hard to orchestrate. Barriers are competing priorities (everyone is busy!) and it is important to ensure that all stakeholder issues are taken into account.
We have some good ideas to get the ball rolling, including free training. So let us know if you’d like some further information.
Just for fun…
Chat GPT, is agile dead?
No, Agile is not dead. Agile methodologies continue to be widely used in software development and other industries. However, there is ongoing debate and discussion within the Agile community about the effectiveness of different Agile frameworks and practices, and how to adapt Agile principles to different contexts.
Some critics argue that Agile has become too rigid and bureaucratic, with too much emphasis on following specific frameworks and practices rather than adapting to individual projects and teams. Others argue that Agile remains a powerful approach to software development and project management, but that it requires careful implementation and ongoing refinement to be effective.
Ultimately, whether or not Agile is “dead” is a matter of perspective. While there are certainly challenges and criticisms associated with Agile, it remains a valuable tool for many organizations and teams, and is likely to continue to evolve and adapt over time.
Triangle of Achievable Engineering
Have you ever heard of the Triangle of Achievable Engineering? It’s a model that engineers and project managers use to balance the three main factors of any project: scope, time, and cost.
The basic idea behind it is that these three factors are interconnected and influence each other. For example, if you increase the scope of a project, it will likely take longer to complete and cost more money. Similarly, if you try to shorten the timeline of a project, you may have to reduce the scope or increase the cost.
It’s all about finding that sweet spot where you can get the job done on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Because let’s face it, no one wants to be stuck with a project that’s over budget, behind schedule, and incomplete.
But did you know that this triangle changes shape during the life of a project, and should be constantly re-evaluated? This is called the cone of uncertainty.
Both Agile and Waterfall project methods typically try to manage this aspect. BUT, where on the cone is an acceptable place for a project to start? Our experience tells us that most projects start life in the red zone, thinking they will catch up, but rarely do. The solution to this is held within the Demand portion of the BT Standard.
Strategy and Shaping work is required – pre-project, to ensure your start is as best placed as it can be.
Xonetic
At its heart, digital modernisation is about improving your customer experience.
We define Digital Energy as the combination of highly digital and automated business applications and tools, combined with Industry leading ways of working, practices and techniques.
If you would like to understand more about our open-source best practice knowledge, training and IT advisory services then please drop in for a virtual coffee or register for a free seminar.
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