Adaptive Project Framework: A Common Sense Approach to Managing Complexity and Uncertainty

Length of workshop:

Two days (8:30-12:00, 1:00-5:00)

General Overview:

An increasing number of proposed projects do not meet the requirements and structure needed to effectively use traditional project management approaches. These projects may be software development, new product development, process improvement, or research and development. These projects have a clearly defined goal but the solution is not at all clearly defined. Traditional approaches do not work in these situations. Furthermore, project managers do not have the tools they need to successfully plan and manage these projects and are trying to adapt traditional approaches with little success. In this course we examine contemporary approaches to these types of projects with special emphasis on Adaptive Project Framework (APF). APF is an iterative process designed to embrace situations where the solution is not known and which require frequent change in order to converge on a solution that delivers maximum business value.

APF integrates tools and techniques from both the traditional and extreme approaches to project management. The result is a hybrid approach that maximizes business value from the project deliverables while minimizing the non-value added time spent on the project.

Managing projects under conditions of complexity and uncertainty challenges the project team to be creative and adaptive. This requires a shift in thinking about projects and how they should be organized and delivered. Here are a few observations on these types of approaches:

This approach ...

• Requires a new mindset -- it thrives on change rather than avoiding it
• Is not a "one size fits all" approach
• Utilizes just-in-time planning
• Adapts tools and processes from traditional project management
• Reinforces the principle that you learn by doing
• Guarantees that "if we build it they will come"
• Seeks to get it right every time
• Adjusts immediately to changing business conditions
• Is client-focused and client-driven
• Assures maximum business value for the time and dollars expended
• Is grounded in a set of immutable core values
• Squeezes out all of the non-value added work
• Meaningfully and fully engages the client as the primary decision maker
• Creates a shared partnership with shared responsibility
• Works 100% of the time! No exceptions!

Leader: Robert Wysocki

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how projects have changed and their unique management needs
• Have a working knowledge of linear, incremental, iterative, adaptive and extreme approaches to project management
• Know how to choose the best fit model based on project characteristics
• To know and to adapt the principles of the Adaptive Project Framework (APF)
• To understand the value in practicing the core values of APF
• To practice the principles of APF on a case study

Intended Audience:

Experienced project managers and their managers who need an adaptive and flexible approach to managing complex and time sensitive projects.

Workshop Format:

The format of the workshop is highly interactive and utilizes an active student learning model. Learning is reinforced through the use of team and/or individual exercises and other appropriate education delivery approaches. Lectures will be limited as much as possible to engage participants in active learning. Lectures will be followed with direct application of the discussion points on a real project.

Outline/At a Glance:

Module #1: Introduction to APF
Introduction
Class Exercise #1: Identify Hot Topics
      Introduction of the Case Study
The Contemporary Project Landscape
      Linear Models
      Incremental Models
      Iterative Models
Adaptive Models
      Extreme Models
Managing Complexity and Uncertainty
Class Exercise #2: Map past or current projects into this landscape
      An Overview of the Adaptive Project Framework

Module #2: Define Version Scope
      Define Version Scope
The Project Overview Statement
Team Exercise #1: Write the Project Overview Statement for the Case Study
Building the Mid-level Work Breakdown Structure
      Team Exercise #2: Develop mid-level Work Breakdown Structure for the Case Study
      Establishing the Cycle Timebox

Module #3: Cycle Plan
      Planning the Next Cycle
Prioritizing Requirements, Functionality, and Features
      Team Exercise #3: Create a Cycle Plan

Module #4: Cycle Build
      Scope Change Requests
      The Scope Bank
Problem Solving
The Escalation Hierarchy
      Team Meetings
      Class Exercise #3: Discussion Questions

Module #5: Client Checkpoint
      Assessing Solution Quality and Convergence
      Next Cycle Functionality and Features
      The Go/No Go Decision
Team Exercise #4: Discussion Questions

Module #6: Post-Version Review
      Assess Solution Attainment
Post-Implementation Audit
Product Lessons Learned
Process Lessons Learned
Team Exercise #5: Discussion Questions

Module #7: Variations to APF
      Business Case Study
      Prototyping
      Process Improvement Initiatives
      Imbedding APF in Traditional Projects
      A Comparison of the Models

Module #8: Implementing APF
      Revisit Hot Topics List
Class Exercise #4: Evaluating APF Tools
      Workshop Feedback

For more information on bringing this workshop to your organization, contact Dennis Crowley by phone at +1 781 641 5125, by fax at +1 781 648 1950, or by e-mail at sales@cutter.com.