Tailored Consultancy

SMS Solutions

Our aim is to resolve our client's complete problem by delivering what they want, when they want it, where they want it, without wasting their time or ours.

To do this, we apply certain tools, models and techniques. Because SMS is independent of software providers, our consultants draw on their extensive experience to apply models and techniques best suited to a task or organisation. We provide services in support of various software tools as appropriate and as required by our clients.

SMS is a recognised authority on measurement-driven process improvement, and distinct in offering both quantitative benchmarking and qualitative assessments. Our expertise supports the implementation of improvement programmes focussed on the sustainable delivery of business value. We have successfully supported measurement and improvement initiatives to customers from real-time to retail; from data processing to defence; and from transport to telecommunications.

We are frequently called in to act as an independent third party in outsourcing partnerships, working with customer and supplier to understand the problems and devise solutions.

SMS is constantly researching and refining best practice. Members of our consultancy team have been involved in the development of the COSMIC functional size method, designed for the needs of modern software measurement. We have pioneered the application of Lean management principles to software management and are thought leaders in devising solutions to new issues arising from the increased complexity of software systems.

SMS provides tailored consulting in:

• Applying software metrics
• Assessing capability
• Balanced IT Scorecard
• Benchmarking
• Developing an IT sourcing strategy
• Dispute resolution
• Estimating software size
• Executive coaching: Lean management and True North strategy
• Function Point Analysis
• Implementing True North strategy
• Improving in-house performance
• IT Asset Management
• IT/IS Governance
• Measuring performance
• Monitoring performance baselines
• Output-based contract management
• Lean process improvement
• Planning and requirements
• Process Improvement models: use, application and implementation
• Risk Management 

 Techniques, methods and improvement models:

• Agile development
• Automotive SPICE
• CMMI
• COBiT
• COSMIC Functional Size Measurement
• Functional Size Measurement
• Gap Analysis
• Goal-Question-Metric method
• IFPUG Function Point Analysis
• ISO
• ITIL
• Lean management
• MkII Function Point Analysis
• SCAMPI Appraisals
• SLAMit – SMS Lean and Agile Method for Improvement Teams.
• SPICE