A work breakdown structure for implementing and costing an erp project communications of the ibima volume 6, 2008. This paper examines the cots project management strategy and techniques for. For software asaservice, vendors provide the system for use, but do not handover actual code. Sdlc deliverables help state agencies successfully plan, execute, and control it projects by providing a framework to ensure that all aspects of the project are. One of the biggest problems sighted in cotsbased projects is a disconnect between time and cost expectations during planning and those actually realized. Cots project management strategy from a state government.
Commercialofftheshelf cots refers to commerciallydeveloped. Implementation plan template centers for medicare and. Cots lifecycle the project lifecycle for a commercial off the shelf implementation. September 1, 2016 over the years, i have been involved in a number of projects testing cots commercialofftheshelf systems across a range of industries. Commercialofftheshelf cots software is a term for software products that are readymade and available.
I first started working on cots software products and their. Department of administration project plan portfolio management system 1. Pdf six steps to a successful cots implementation semantic. The vdd should also include any commercial offtheshelf cots andor government offtheshelf gots software. Applying agile principles to cots implementations easy. A work breakdown structure for implementing and costing an.
This approach works well for new software development but when implementing custom off the shelf cots packaged software, it can be challenging to apply agile approaches because of cots software s fullfeatured, integrated software. Cots implementation project manager jobs, employment. Cots commercial off the shelf lifecyle model methodology. A commercialofftheshelf cots project portfolio management system will be acquired by the project management office pmo. A well thoughtout and successful cots implementation stage done action notes analyze and engage stakeholders generate business case business needs, functions. During the planning stages, it is important to plan. Thats why its important to plan an enduser training strategy before you roll out new software, and make sure the plan is scalable so it can grow with your company. The cots and reusable software management plan crsmp can facilitate. This means you can help reduce your final software.
Although, is some cases, a portion of this effort may include customization of the cots gots solution, the implementation is planned as a new project beginning with a project charter and other necessary project planning and documents such as a communication management, scope plan. We all work in environments in which government funding is stretched, program resources are syphoned, disparate applications are waiting on future. This article discusses ways to analyze risk and create mitigation strategies before producing an implementation. The emd contractor must maintain 148 cots software. Cots solution solicitations must contain requirements to determine the best feature match and what integration effort and risks must be accounted for in the project plan. Project manager cots software implementation scrum. Ineffective cots implementation will cost you adopting commercial offtheshelf cots products or packages like erp, crm, and hr management systems to fulfil a range of enterprise. The decision whether to use a cots product or build a custom software.
Failure to clearly define the business requirements for the project. Cots project management strategy from a state government pmo. In addition, identify any software used to facilitate the implementation process, such as software specifically designed for. While cots tends to be more reliable and maintainable than custommade software, there is a secret to maximizing its benefits. This section of the project implementation plan describes the support hardware, software, facilities, and materials required for the implementation, as well as the documentation, necessary personnel and. Product implementation makes up the entire project effort. Cots lifecycle the project lifecycle for a commercial off the shelf implementation is. Drive to fit framework tom welch, pmp, mba game plan stage analyze design construct deploy goal.
As you explore a typical cots system implementation, even in your projects. State of alaska procurement components for contract planning. A web search on rfps or package implementation failures will quickly identify a primary cause. Requirements for implementing packaged solutions written by karl wiegers and joy beatty many organizations acquire and adapt purchased packaged solutions also called commercial offtheshelf, or cots, products to meet their software needs, instead of building new systems from scratch. The result is this cots and reusable software management plan. Introducing a commercial offtheshelf software solution oecd.
Software project managemen t plan team synergy page 5 1272003 1. The synergy team has enough experience personally and as a whole to complete the project. Whether youre using a package as part or all of the solution for a new project or implementing a solution in the cloud. The plan will describe any external dependencies and needs including government furnished. Implementation planning project management institute. A supplier is an external organization contributing to the project with an existing product cots commercial off the shelf that is incorporated into a project deliverable e. Often, when government looks to recompete or start a new it project, theyre presented with a commercial offtheshelf cots solution that promises to do exactly what is needed outofthebox. The prepackaged software is typically acquired at a lower cost than a customized build and is implemented by thirdparty providers with indepth knowledge and expertise about specific solutions. Apply to it project manager, project manager, senior project manager and more. Taking a cotsbased approach to implementing enterprise gis. Managing implementation projects tips and tricks fear.
Business analyst requirements for implementing packaged. Plan your enduser training strategy before software roll. An rfp for software, however, is specifying an intangible thing that has to perform a function in a specific way. Govern and manage an enterprise software implementation. Most organizations do not develop 100 percent of the software that they use, nor should they. Exploring your accounting software implementation options. That means defining complete and correct business requirements.
A well thoughtout and successful cots implementation stage. The number commercialofftheshelf cots software options have increased exponentially in recent years. Ensure common understanding among planning team members and stakeholders. This section will enable people to take an eyes wide open decision, enabling them to plan and prepare for a successful commercial off the shelf implementation.
Applying agile principles to cots implementations posted on october 14, 2009 by kiron bondale one of the most common excuses ive heard clients use to explain why a commercial offtheshelf cots product implementation. But because cots software is just one type of reusable software component, the scope of the project was expanded to be more comprehensive. A vast majority of the jobs they have to do can be satisfied with readily available commercial off the shelf cots software, or its more modern successor, software. Here are some of the steps i think still need to be included when planning and managing an implementation project for a cots application. Paper presented at pmi global congress 2011north america, dallas, tx. One of the biggest problems sighted in cotsbased projects is a disconnect. I could go on, but a list of commercialofftheshelf cots and software asaservice saas applications is not the point of this article. Sometimes the project was with the vendor and sometimes with the customer. Organizations need to be prepared to adapt their business. During the planning stages, it is important to plan appropriately for all the major. Cots project strategy involves preplanning and the assessment of best value added solution, including glue code and tailoring. Getting ready for your cots software project and rfp procurement for. The good news is that your software provider is an expert and you can lean on them to the extent you need. Implementation plan describes how the information system will be.
Following this methodology throughout the software development life cycle will ensure that significant activities are not being ignored and will increase the chances of planning, executing, and deploying a successful cots based software solution. The project planning and management ppm life cycle was developed as huds standard for. Cots packages are usually selected because implementing and maintaining them is expected to be less expensive than building custom software. In addition, identify any software used to facilitate the implementation process, such as software. Cots may be one of the most diversely defined terms in current software development. Ppm project type project planning and cotsgots management. For the cotsgots project type, the content of the subsidiary management. Implementation planning should begin with a planning session that establishes the foundation for cooperation and defines the desired project outcome. There is lots of great information available on how to use agile methods for custom software development projects, but less so for package implementations. The number commercialofftheshelf cots software options have increased. Mitigate your risks cots systems are a common consideration for most enterprise organizations when planning their it strategy around erp, cms, crm, hris, bi, etc. Why tailor the project planning and management life cycle for this project type the project planning and management ppm life cycle was developed as huds standard for it program and. Software as a service saas, or cloud, solutions are becoming. Cots project management strategy from a state government pmo perspective.