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Planning and Managing the Technical Evolution

Iteratively manage the evolution in accordance with the plan, adjusting to incorporate lessons learned and changes in strategic direction and architectural vision.

Overview
Activities

Overview

At this stage in the process, detailed plans are prepared for each of the projects included in the upcoming plateau. Each project management team is responsible for development of their individual project plan, within the constraints imposed by the overarching IT Evolution Plan. The IT Evolution Management Team reviews the individual project plans to ensure that they are integrated and consistent with one another. Once the projects begin execution, they are both individually and collectively monitored against their individual and overall Plateau plans.

At the completion of a plateau, actual effort, cost, schedule, risk, and quality data are collected, analyzed, and used to refine estimates for future plateaus. Adjustments to the Strategic Plan and the Technical Architecture can be incorporated into the IT Evolution Plan at each new plateau. Generally, a plateau's plan, once set in motion, will not significantly change unless a major event has occurred in the external environment, such as a shift in strategic direction. Changes are generally incorporated into the planning for the next Plateau.

Block diagram of Manage the Technology Evolution. The Compile and Coordinate Plateau Plan activity flows into the Monitor Plateau Development activity, which in turn flows into the Update IT Evolution Plan activity. The activities are described in the following text.

Top

Activities

Developing the IT Evolution Plan involves the following key activities:

  1. Compile and Coordinate Plateau Plan(s). Compile a detailed, integrated plan for the development and deployment of the next Plateau. Initiate the projects.
  2. Monitor Plateau Development. Enact each project, monitor progress, and check the outcome against the success criteria for the project and the Plateau.
  3. Update IT Evolution Plan. Update the IT Evolution Plan to reflect the progress of each project and changes in the environment.



Last Updated: May 4, 2005