Managing all work requests in an IT organization involves connecting Project Portfolio Management with Application Development. These two disciplines often live in disconnected worlds, so bringing them together is a challenge, specifically in the following areas:
Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
Microsoft’s EPM Solution and Visual Studio® Team Foundation Sever helps organizations to better connect the two worlds of Project Portfolio Management (PPM) and Application Development (AD). Both tools are already used by many organizations to support PPM and AD processes. Integrating these tools allows the development team to work in a familiar environment, maximizing productivity and focusing on quality, while ensuring all required data is provided to the project manager to facilitate project and portfolio reporting.
The solution subjects the project to the appropriate governance controls throughout its lifecycle. The main governance phases are described below:
1. Initiate Phase: The Initiate phase focuses on capturing project requests from across the organization and developing business cases in accordance with governance workflows
2. Select Phase: The Select phase focuses on prioritizing, optimizing, and selecting a project portfolio that best aligns with the organization’s business strategy
3. Plan Phase: The Plan phase focuses on scheduling, resource planning and task assignment. The integrated solution ensures the project manager can capture high level tasks for the development work and collaborate with the development lead that is responsible for defining the granular activities and assigning members of their team.
4. Execute Phase: The Execute phase primarily focuses on tracking the project to a successful conclusion. The integrated solution allows the development team to utilize familiar tools and methodologies and focus on releasing a high quality product, without being diverted with administrative tasks and project reporting. Likewise the solution ensures the project manager and stakeholders have visibility and insight into the development activities and progress.
The following are benefits of using Microsoft EPM Solution and Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server to manage software development projects:
Align IT with the business
Transform IT from a “cost center” into a value add
Integrate governance controls into processes; minimize the risk of non-compliance
Facilitate smooth projects with standard processes
Enhance resource utilization
Increase return on investment (ROI) by using resources more effectively
Maximize limited IT resources by leveraging the right people on the right projects
Gain insight into resource gaps/strengths; know when to hire or train
Improve project execution
Deliver high-quality projects on time, within scope, and on budget
Gain visibility into project performance across the portfolio
Make more informed and timely decisions
Effective Collaboration
Bridge the gap between the PMO and development teams
Allow teams to spend more time developing and less time in overhead activities
Allow teams to work in familiar tools that support team and company objectives
Microsoft EPM Solution Capabilities
The EPM Solution is a comprehensive PC and web-based project and portfolio management system. Learn how the EPM Solution helps organizations to select and deliver the right projects.
Demand Management | Time and Task Management |
Portfolio Selection & Analytics | Team Collaboration |
Resource Management | Business Intelligence & Reporting |
Schedule Management | Administration, Scalability and Extensibility |
Financial Management |
