SMS Services - Measuring Performance

Lean Systems Thinking

Value: understanding value from the customer's, user's and stakeholders perspectives
Process: an in-depth understanding of the end-to-end network of processes required to design, develop, produce and maintain the product, whether such processes add value or not
Pull: enabling customer/stakeholder demand to pull value through the steps of the value stream
Flow: enable value to flow continuously, piece-by-piece. Value is always delivered "just-in-time" without excessive stock-piling.
Perfection: continuous striving to reduce waste, build-in quality to avoid failure demand; respond to demand for value as it changes; and improve flow

It has been clearly demonstrated that in software intensive systems, focusing on the outcome reduces cost, and improves quality and speed of delivery. Focusing on any of the latter does not sustainably achieve the desired results and is likely to increase overall costs.

Managing Software Costs

We believe the key to managing software costs lies in evidence-based decision-making. Basing decisions on objective data and an informed knowledge of the process not only avoids unconscious damage to the business but also creates a culture of mutual trust and co-operation.

Organisations increasingly need to exploit the knowledge and creativity of their human resources. The business engages software professionals to develop software. It clearly is counter-productive to have non-expert managers telling them how to do it. Development teams are more likely to take ownership of - and deliver to - schedules, budgets and goals which are realistic and achievable.

To achieve success, it is necessary to plan for success - this is no less true of cost reduction than anything else. SMS identifies waste in software-intensive systems by mapping the end-to-end value stream. We work with clients to identify clear, precise goals and objectives, and work with outsourcing partnerships to foster an integrated management approach to delivering value.

Diagnosis

If you are seeking to improve, it is essential to start with a baseline of current performance. This gives you a measure of the size of the opportunity and enables you to set clear and achievable goals. It is also invaluable in enabling SMS to give you the best advice and guidance, based on an informed and objective understanding of your current system of work.

Every organisation is different, and just as a doctor will conduct further tests to verify an initial diagnosis, SMS gathers further evidence to ensure we are successfully treating the root causes of the client's problems. We have a number of tools and techniques for measuring value delivered, which can be adapted and combined to suit your specific needs and circumstances.

Contact us to arrange a free consultantion with one of our specialist consultants to discuss how we might help your organisation achieve its objectives.