Managing Very Small Projects: Applying Project Management to Software Maintenance

The Challenge
IT shops often spend 50 - 80% of their time on application maintenance. This work usually consists of large numbers of change requests (defect repairs and enhancements) that take from hours to a few weeks to complete. Can standard Project Management practice be applied effectively to this work?

The Solution
This advanced project management workshop re-examines many of our assumptions about what projects are, how they are managed and what is "reasonable" in the application of Project Management technique. During this discussion we discover that much of what we know from our work as project managers does apply, but not in the usual way. This workshop includes a demonstration of software that can support the use of project management practice in the planning and execution of even the smallest of projects.

Who should attend
This advanced PM workshop is of value to anyone involved in software maintenance, including team leads, Project Managers, Functional Managers with software maintenance responsibility, Project Management Office (PMO) staff and anyone who has project lead responsibility over small projects.

Learning Objectives

Although very small projects may appear relatively simple, they nonetheless have many of the characteristics of full sized projects
PM concepts do apply regardless of project size, but small projects require a different approach and tool set

The thinking is the same
There is no room for bureaucratic overhead
We can use a very simplified project plan that takes minutes to create

Related very small projects can be managed as a program

Planning done for the program can apply to all small projects within it
Small projects are better managed when the goals of the program are clear

A Helpdesk System or Change Request Tracking System can be used to support a more formal approach to the management of very small projects

Each helpdesk ticket provides a project description
Helpdesk tickets provide much of the "project plan" for very small projects
When the maintenance effort is large enough, the helpdesk ticket can also serve as a mini-Project Charter

A structured approach to very small projects leads to program success.

Learning Approach

A highly experienced instructor will use interactive lecture format, group discussions and other techniques to drive home the essential points of this material
We will build on your prior experience in this topic, while providing you with a structure and vocabulary to use in your future software maintenance work.
If you have modest project management knowledge, you will find that the clarity of the material and direct presentation style of the instructor will make the subject matter easy to understand.
You will receive a Student Guide which will help you follow the material, take notes and retain what you learned so that you can apply it on your job.

Why should I take this workshop?

This advamced workshop will help you to understand how to take greater control over the work of software maintenance.
Managing Very Small Projects re-examines our assumptions about what a project is and how we should manage it. You will find that you can take advantage of familiar tools and techniques in a new setting.
Take this workshop and learn what you can do to ensure that your software maintenance work is well managed from start to end.

Every course and workshop in our Project Training program is fully customizable. We offer virtual delivery of the training program you need. Call us: +1.919.495.7371.

All of our courses are fully compliant with the latest release of each relevant standards document such as the PMBOK® Guide, Standard for Portfolio Management, BABOK® Guide, and others.

Course Information

Course ID: 7036
Duration: Half Day
Class size: 6 - 40
Includes:
· PMP® certified instruction
· Student Guide
· Participation Certificate
· 3 PDUs

Download this course description as a printable PDF document.

Pricing Information
On-site discounts are available.

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Fill out the Training Request Form online or call 1-800-877-8129
(+1 919-495-7371)

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