Establishing a Formal Systems Development Process
Establishing a Formal Systems Development Process
Sara Reed
Strayer University
Professor Matthew Anyanwu
CIS 510 Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
20 July 13
Jane has been recently hired as the company’s first-ever process manager. She has been reviewing the company’s best practices of system development with the intent of establishing a formal systems development process for the company. She has two employees, Carrie and Brian, both who will work under her as system developers. Carrie and Brian bring years of experience at a large firm to the table. Carrie is described as someone who is a big proponent of iterative/incremental development approaches, whereas Brian is a long time proponent of the waterfall approach. Both employees are very opinionated on the tools and techniques that are needed for system development projects and both are trying to lobby Jane to adopt their preferred techniques. Jane has been put in a position that is difficult because, one she is now in charge of improving these tools and techniques that Carrie and Brian are lobbying to her and two if she chooses one approach over another, she might get some slack from the other employee and she does not want to cause an unsettled working environment. Jane is now trying to figure out from a technical and human resource perspective what her options are to accommodate both employees, such as establishing a process management solution, and what tools and techniques she can use to foster team cohesion when one analyst does not get their way. As the process manager I would discuss with both analysts that while they have different perspectives on what tools and techniques work best, each approach, whether waterfall, iterative or incremental would be taken into account dependent upon the nature of the project. Jane needs to find a way she can foster teamwork when one member does not get their way. Haven’t we all heard the adage Two Heads are Better than one? Yet as
Sara Reed
Strayer University
Professor Matthew Anyanwu
CIS 510 Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
20 July 13
Jane has been recently hired as the company’s first-ever process manager. She has been reviewing the company’s best practices of system development with the intent of establishing a formal systems development process for the company. She has two employees, Carrie and Brian, both who will work under her as system developers. Carrie and Brian bring years of experience at a large firm to the table. Carrie is described as someone who is a big proponent of iterative/incremental development approaches, whereas Brian is a long time proponent of the waterfall approach. Both employees are very opinionated on the tools and techniques that are needed for system development projects and both are trying to lobby Jane to adopt their preferred techniques. Jane has been put in a position that is difficult because, one she is now in charge of improving these tools and techniques that Carrie and Brian are lobbying to her and two if she chooses one approach over another, she might get some slack from the other employee and she does not want to cause an unsettled working environment. Jane is now trying to figure out from a technical and human resource perspective what her options are to accommodate both employees, such as establishing a process management solution, and what tools and techniques she can use to foster team cohesion when one analyst does not get their way. As the process manager I would discuss with both analysts that while they have different perspectives on what tools and techniques work best, each approach, whether waterfall, iterative or incremental would be taken into account dependent upon the nature of the project. Jane needs to find a way she can foster teamwork when one member does not get their way. Haven’t we all heard the adage Two Heads are Better than one? Yet as
References: U.S. Department of Personnel Management. Building a Collaborative Team Environment. Retrieved from http://www.opm.gov/policy-data- oversight/performance-management/teams/building-a-collaborative-team- environment/ Six Sigma Online, Aveta Business Institute. Advantages of Fostering Teamwork in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.sixsigmaonline.org/six-sigma- training-certification-information/advantages-of-fostering-teamwork-in-the- workplace.html