Program Management / Multi-Project Management
The right solution for development in complex programs
Program management and multi-project management for product development - such as for computers and cellphones - is usually characterized by a broad array of smaller sub-projects and deadlines.
Companies in this sector need to be able to plan these projects as flexibly as possible and coordinate agreements quickly. This makes it crucial to have a clear overview of project interdependencies because a higher level of visibility delivers decisive competitive advantages, including:
- An overview of deadlines for decision-makers that is always up to date
- Easy access to detailed information
- A high level of flexibility
- Faster response times
- Shorter time to market.
Streamlined coordination of complex interdependencies
For each electronic product, the development of every function needs to be tightly coordinated across the teams working on the various hardware and software components as well as the group handling integration. That's the only way to ensure that the agreed range of features and functions – which is usually very complex - can be developed on time, whether the teams are in the office next door or on the other side of the world. And the central steering committee managing the whole project needs up-to-the-minute information about the current status of the project.
Legacy solutions soon show their limits
Many companies use legacy solutions based on tools like Microsoft Excel. Yet the increasing complexity of the devices’ functions and the increasingly short delivery deadlines mean that these solutions soon come up against their limits. To remain competitive, electronics companies need solutions that provide a higher level of automation and flexibility. That's the only way to keep pace with fierce international competition.
A modern solution using MS Project Server and TPG ProjectLink
- TPG ProjectLink delivers control-related information directly into the project plans for both project managers and sub-project managers
For a demanding program and multi-project management environment, a simplified version of a suitable solution could look like this:
- an overarching milestone release plan for the steering committee
- a list of the functions to be delivered
- multiple project plans prepared by sub-project managers for each component
Delivery on time - even on very tight deadlines
The agreed delivery dates and planned completion dates for all the functions are comparable across the components. Along with the structured summary of completion milestones (bottom-up), the release plan enables the delivery instructions to be copied into the individual component project plans (top-down).
This ensures that the planning loop is closed and that everyone involved is aware of the goals. As a result, the delivery capability can be assured, even when the deadlines are very tight.
Transparency based on overarching links
The add-on product TPG ProjectLink interlinks all these plans in Microsoft Project Server along with lists in SQL databases. This makes it easy to share information between projects, even when several companies are involved in them. TPG ProjectLink provides the following functions:
- Chart 2: in release 1, all is well. However, in Release 2 we see that a traffic light is red because a deadline in Component 2.2 is later than originally planned.
- Rollup function: with a click of the mouse, the project steering committee can create or update the current multi-project overview. Its members see an overview of all completion milestones from all component plans (Chart 2, Case 1).
- Backlink function: instructions from the steering committee concerning these milestones can be reimported back into the relevant component plans via backlinks (Chart 2, Case 2).
- Task picker function: Project managers can use the task picker to look at other projects and choose the tasks and milestones relevant to them. They can then import them into their own project plans so that they have a quick overview of all deadlines and further information about the tasks (chart 2, case 3).
Click here for details of other ways TPG ProjectLink can be used.
