Effective Software Project Management

Extreme SDPM Strategy for the Closing Phase of the Flexible Model

Figure 36-3 illustrates the Closing Phase of the Extreme SDPM strategy for the Flexible model.

Figure 36-3. The Closing Phase of the Extreme SDPM strategy for the Flexible model

The Closing Phase of the Extreme SDPM for the Flexible model is embodied in its Disseminate Phase. This phase is entered when the previous Reevaluate Phase results in the decision that the project is now complete. There are four artifacts in the Disseminate Phase:

• Deployment of the solution

• Lesson learned

• Benefits and recognition

• Benefits tracked and harvested

Deployment of the Solution

This artifact is the official launch of the solution. The two major questions that need to be answered are:

• Is the customer satisfied with the deliverables?

• Are the benefits realized?

Benefits realization ties back to the original business validation and justification studies done at the beginning of the project. The project was commissioned based on the value to be delivered. Now it’s time to pay the piper and verify that those benefits will be achieved.

Lessons Learned

This has been an important artifact in every model studied in this book. Because this is the most challenging and difficult of all the strategies, lessons learned deserves the most attention and due diligence you can give it. You want to take an honest and open look at what worked, what didn’t ...