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Managing Projects in the Cloud
Gary Conley, Independent
[email protected]://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
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Managing Projects in the Cloud
Gary Conley, Independent
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared
resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the
electricity grid) over a network (typically the Internet).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
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Agenda
Introduction
Why Manage Projects in the Cloud
Foundational Factors
Use Considerations
Conclusion
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Introduction
Part of Cisco Services Organization
Advance Services focused on Service Provider Market
Started on our PPM journey 4 years ago as a means to improve our deliver services – 10 people – one program team focused on execution.
Troubled program and was looking for a better way to execute
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Introduction –Today
Multi organizational Adoption
5900+ Globally distributed users – full collaborative environment, project, program and portfolio management, mostly about execution
Hosted system is support by a core team in US, Canada, and India and a network of extended team members in user organizations who are through out the world
Customers
Partners
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Introduction – How did that Happen?
Well, we had a screaming success!
Realized this was not unique situation.
Many other problems we could now be
addressed.
Through sharing, word of mouth, and management support,
The practice began to spread.
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Introduction - capabilities
Status reporting
Web based report integrated with Project Server data using SRSS Reporting Services
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Introduction - capabilities
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Why - did we choose to manage our Program/Project in the cloud?
For us some very compelling reasons –
Our projects were not inside the corporate
firewall. All participants needed access
Other factors:
Fast - 5 day set up
Expertise
Variable cost/fixed
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Why – would it matter to anyone else?
Virtual Companies
Mobile worker
Scale Up/ Scale Down programs
Specialized expertise that may not be in
your company
Overall company strategy – core/context
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And Why it matters to you ?Cloud based solutions are server based
Significant difference in the how you manage vs. client application
collaborative
schedule development
task updating
In general Web 2.0 techniques
New skills in use of tools/methods
Increases the ability to manage larger teams,
anywhere
Management Reporting significantly enhanced
Standardized methods through templates/
workflow
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Foundational Factors
Information Security Policy
Infrastructure Architectural
Application security
Data Center Practices
Cost
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Foundational Factors
Security Information Policy
Secret – company business plans
Highly Confidential – personal information, product code
Confidential – need to know, most information in a company
Public – ready available information in the public domain
Review Data confidentially/Indemnification agreements
with provider
The type of information in part drives your solution
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Foundational FactorsInfrastructure Architecture
Physically secured facility
Data Center Management
Multi tenant – several users on the same server
vs. separate servers firewall between database and web server
Redundancy in architecture, mirrored disk, redundant firewalls
and hot swappable spares servers
Connected to a Internet Backbone
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Foundational FactorsApplication Architecture
Secure connection – https, vpn, remote desktop, strong password
Account Management
Granular security model – ability to segment down to low level
items.
Individual security and group security.
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Foundational Factors
Data Center Practices
Ask if they have a third party evaluation on practices and
security policies!
24/7 support
Data back up, daily, weekly, monthly
Maintenance practice
Offsite storage for disaster recovery
Retention Policy - Most cloud provider have retention policy
That matches back up policy, ie a few months.
If you desire or more/less, you will need to address.
Ask for documented procedures
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Use considerations
Maturity
Over 90% of organization are at Level 1 or 2 in PPM maturity
and none are at Level 4 or 5. (1)
(1) Center for Business Practices
Where you operate on the curve as well as where you expect to
operate will influence your solution and your cost.
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Conclusion
Business trends point to continued expansion of project/program/portfolio management in the Cloud.
There are foundation elements around:
Information Security Policy
Infrastructure architecture
Data Center practices
Cost
Use Consideration
That must be reviewed before venturing into this new frontier.
