This page is where I get to tell my latest war stories about successful projects undertaken by PM4HIRE and what I have been up to recently. Maybe there are some things that you want to know more about since you plan to undertake similar projects. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.

We celebrated the completion of a major software selection project with the client's purchase of Certify, a 3rd generation QA Testing Automation Software product from Worksoft Inc., after an exciting evaluation process. I used the PM4HIRE RFP/RFQ process with a comprehensive Value Analysis to select from 7 competitors who bid on providing this software. We based the requirements on a detailed needs analysis that most QA staff were able to contribute to, either in discovery sessions or in reviewing the emerging specifications. I look forward to the installation and implementation of the Certify software, and to see it in action on the first project where automation is an appropriate option. I will keep you posted on progress.

Well, you are looking at it. After several false starts we agreed on a format for the site, and started building it earlier this year. We decided on a simple presentation with clean lines and minimal clutter to make it easier to navigate. We will be recovering and republishing some parts of our old web site, but you may have noticed a major shift in the emphasis of our content. We have focused on seminars and training as our value proposition based on many years of experience of being asked for impromptu training sessions on this topic or another. Ultimately we provide the same level of service excellence, but now we are prepared to deliver formal training, either with other services or as a separate service offering.

We have indeed been busy this month, although the documentation effort has been underway for some time. The client wanted a formalized methodology for all of development. We participated in the definition of the SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) methodology in order to make sure QA would be prominent in all relevant workflows. We adapted the PM4HIRE methodology, first by creating templates for different documents that were proven on several projects, and then by writing the user guides to explain the proper processes for analysis and documentation of QA testing workflows. Since the full launch of the new SDLC methodology is planned for November 1st., we delivered on time despite many other projects on our plate.

The client wanted a formalized methodology for all of development. We participated in the definition of the SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) methodology in order to make sure that there would be some process in place to encourage full compliance with the new way of systems development. As one of several contributing teams, we emphasized the need for training and support, and flexibility in order to prevent the use of a methodology as a 'cookie cutter' that force-fits everything to a rigid pattern. We also participated in reviews of estimating, design, and development processes to be launched with the SDLC.

We completed a detailed testing project to verify a customized implementation of a PMO projects portfolio using the ProSight Portfolio Management software. As a part of this project we encouraged the client to delay implementation until a later release with vastly improved operational performance characteristics, which was better able to support the complex PMO models that incorporated huge amounts of detail. We researched some key processes, and we were able to affect key design decisions: some changes were for immediate implementation, and many more changes are slated for future implementation. The system was successfully launched in May after a brief pilot operation, and it has proven to be an excellent platform.