Blow-up the Iron Triangle

Presented at Project Summit * Business Analyst World Philadelphia

In an effort to bring more value, save more time, and make a bigger difference, software projects are rethinking every part of project delivery. Companies are attempting new approaches to solve challenges and opportunities. These changes herald how the definition for project success is moving from the Iron Triangle of Scope-Schedule-Cost to a more flexible and impactful model of Value-Quality-Constraints. The tectonic shift influences nearly all elements of how software projects are conceived, executed, and measured. From redefining the problem statement to piloting solutions in a matter of weeks, the new focus on value over traditional project metrics shakes project management and requires a new understanding.

Learning Objectives
1. Understand the difference between Utility and Strategic IT
2. Bring back talking points on why projects should be measured against Value-Quality-Constraints
3. Learn how Impact Mapping can influence the both the choice and the ending for your next project

Transcript

1. Blow-up the Iron Triangle Rethinking Software Project Goals and Approaches to Increase Business Value
2. Jeffrey Davidson twitter: @JeffreyGoodReq blog: goodrequirements.com email: jeffrey@davidson.net
3. AN IT STORY: 4 DIFFERENT LEADERS Part 1:
8. “Cowboy”
9. Technology is the #1 concern of CEOs worldwide •  IBM, CEO Study 2012
10. IT STRUGGLING: WHY? Part 2:
11. IT STRUGGLING: WHY? Part 2a: Pace of Change!
12. To reach 50 million customers, radio took 38 years, 13 years for television, 4 years for the Internet, and only 2 years for the iPhone. It's daunting to keep current with such an in-flux marketplace and the myriad consumer behavior changes that it drives. •  B. Bonin Bough, HBR Blog Network
14. IT STRUGGLING: WHY? Part 2b: We are confused!
15. Criticality Cost Retire Continue Maintain As-is Improve Cost- Effectiveness Cost Criticality Retire Continue Maintain Improve
16. Cost Value activation candidate termination candidate termination candidate active project planned project Value Cost
18. Strategy is about understanding what you do, looking out over the long-term future to determine what you want to become, and—most importantly—focusing on how you plan to get there. •  C. Davis Fogg
19. IT STRUGGLING: WHY? Part 2c: Rate of Failure!
20. 66% RISURMHFWVIDLORUDUH¬PDUJLQDO­ 61% RIIHDWXUHVGHOLYHUHG 2/3 ,7SURMHFWV DUHFKDOOHQJHG 2YHUEXGJHWE\189% 2YHUVFKHGXOHE\ 220%
21. IT STRUGGLING: WHY? Part 2d: Measurements and Rewards!
22. You can’t control what you can’t measure. •  Tom DeMarco
23. Iron Triangle Scope Schedule Cost
24. Rewarding Success Control
25. Moment of Reflection •  Robyn Scott, Medium
26. Immediately after every lecture, meeting, or any significant experience, take 30 seconds — no more, no less — to write down the most important points.
27. IS THERE A SOLUTION? Part 3:
29. IS THERE A SOLUTION? Part 3a: Hunt for Value!
30. Create the product * Make the product Sell the product * Choose the value * Provide the value Communicate the value to customers Create the product * Make the product Sell the product •  McKinsey staff paper
31. What is measured How it will be measured Situation as it stands now Minimum acceptable value Desired result Scale Meter Benchmark Constraint Target •  Tom Gilb, Competitive Engineering
32. IS THERE A SOLUTION? Part 3b: Measure Different!
33. You can’t control what you can’t measure. •  Tom DeMarco
34. Schedule Cost Scope
35. Schedule Cost Scope Blow-up the Iron Triangle
36.     Value (Releasable Product) Quality (Reliable, Adaptable Product) Constraints (Scope, Schedule, Cost)
37. 20-30% •  Jim Highsmith
38. Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see farther. • J. P. Morgan
39. “Cowboy”
41. Immediately take 30 seconds  to write down the most important points
42. Blow-up the Iron Triangle Jeffrey Davidson twitter: @JeffreyGoodReq blog: goodrequirements.com email: jeffrey@davidson.net ProjectSummit * BusinessAnalystWorld Philadelphia, PA April 7, 2014
43. References Jeffrey Davidson. “Blow-up the Iron Triangle.” Available on http:// goodreq.com/2013/utd-pm-symposium. Anupam Kundu and Manu Tandon. “How do I get the most out of my technology investments?” Presented at SIFMA, Asset Managers Forum, NYC. June 2013. Available on slideshare.net.
44. Share & Tell This is licensed under Creative Commons Sharealike [CC BY 4.0] •  Please use it •  Please share it •  Please improve it •  As long as you credit me somewhere
45. Blow-up the Iron Triangle Jeffrey Davidson twitter: @JeffreyGoodReq blog: goodrequirements.com email: jeffrey@davidson.net ProjectSummit * BusinessAnalystWorld Philadelphia, PA April 7, 2014