In order to plan, manage, and control every complex IT project it is crucial to use a clear and structured method, without which there will be no economic profit in such investment.
The Process we use at PDP aims to share risk and is based around our preferred software development methodology - RUP (Rational Unified Process). By way of background RUP defines a project in terms of a number of Disciplines as illustrated below. Each Discipline proceeds throughout the Project, and progress is measured in Phases.
These Phases are Inception, Elaboration, Construction and Transition. Each phase has a number of deliverables called Artifacts in RUP. The size of the project defines how big the Artifacts are from a paragraph to a sizable document.
As you know estimating software projects cost is extremely difficult! The so-called "Cone of uncertainty" supports our empirical experience.Our costing method therefore aims to reduce and share risk and to be transparent at all times. It has the following Phases.
Phase 0: Initial product definition.
PDP will proactively exchange information with the client to provide a budgetary quotation as per the Project Planner shown below as percentage effort distribution.
Phase 1: Inception. The outcomes from this fixed price phase would be the three Artifacts listed below. This includes the Software Development Plan - which is used to produce the First Project Estimate.
At the end of Inception you can decide to continue or stop the project. If you decide to continue:
PDP will commit to complete the total project on a time and materials basis capped at the First Project Estimate + 25%.
The capped price is subject to Change Control. If you decide to change any completed Artifact retrospectively then we will re-negotiate the Project Man days e.g. if you change the Project Vision. Phase 2: Elaboration,
Phase 3: Construction,
Phase 4: Transition are then completed to the specifications in the signed off Artifacts.
