Key research and development results:
1. Kompass, a method for systematic project inception
Selecting the right projects is an essential first step to achieving the company vision. As company resources are scarce, the active project portfolio must match the project payload and priorities of the parent organization. A sound project definition is a prerequisite for making the right choice whether to pursue or reject, a project. The essential project inception method is a system thinking approach to develop a holistic and coherent project proposal, detailing the scope statement (rationale) and business case (justification) with minimum effort and assumptions.
2. Capability Breakdown Structures
Even the best developer in the world cannot create working software without the right requirements. While agile requirements modeling techniques such as use cases and user stories constitute major progress in requirement analysis, the possibilities do not stop there. It is not about the software, it is about the capability. Capability Breakdown Structures is an effective requirements modeling technique, as well as a practical technique to prioritize and track software development.
3. A System Thinking Approach to Project Success
The right to existence of the PMO is to increase the project success rate of the parent organization. A precursor to measuring project success is a generic success definition. The success assessment has a pivotal role in the project methodology cycle, as it embodies the starting point for personal and organizational learning, project capability development, and eventually, success rate improvement. In this research, a system thinking model is developed to capture a generic concept of project success. The model is validated by corroborating key findings from previous work on the topic of project success.
4. Agile Rolling Wave Planning
Agile approaches are characterized by incremental and iterative delivery. Ûsing multiple planning levels in a rolling wave pattern the effectiveness of this delivery strategy can be enhanced.
5. Project Metadata Technique
Uncertainty is no doubt the most conceptual and practical demanding aspect to manage in projects. Uncertaintainty can be defined as the gap between relevant information that exists and the information that is needed, due to a lack of information availability or information awareness. PMDT is a practical technique designed to reduce uncertainty by proactively designing project information structures that enhance information availability and awareness.
6. Troubleshooting Projects using System Thinking
A systematic approach to analyzing symptoms, causes, problems, and devise actions to bring derailed projects back on track.
7. SCRUM Capability
SCRUM is an empirical project method defined by a prescriptive set of roles, routines, and ceremonies. We know from experience that SCRUM works, but do we understand why? When things go the way we want, a lack of understanding of what goes on under the hood is not a problem. But when the recipe does not pan out, how to improve without insight? Like a theoretical model that visualizes the underlying mechanisms that explain the practices' logic. This research introduces a capability-based project model to explain the theory behind the agile practices that define SCRUM.
8. Capability Design Canvas
Capability thinking is a paradigm at par with functional analysis, process analysis, and systems thinking. Although the first three schools of thought are ubiquitous, the theoretical foundation of capability thinking is narrow. The capability canvas is a conceptual model for designing, implementing, and upgrading organizational capabilities. Where a capability breakdown structure explains what a capability can achieve, the canvas outlines how it can be done.
9. Ikigai Strategy Execution
Effective strategy definition, execution, and evaluation require a holistic view of the organizational behavior and the underlying structures that cause them. Based on the ikigai model, a synergetic approach is presented to align the key elements of the organization: mission, vision, strategy, assets, and execution.