Reviews and Recommendations

Managing Technology works with product and service teams to understand their approaches and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their quality and development programs.

This is accomplished by reviewing the definition, development and quality approaches used to deliver products and services. Usually a review evaluates processes, tools, organization structure, roles, personnel and project and status communications. Some reviews focus on Testing and Quality Assurance. Other reviews expand to include the complete product development process including the activities and deliverables of the various contributing cross-functional teams.

Managing Technology documents it findings in a report that describes specific strengths and weaknesses of the current testing and development approaches. The report also describes realistic recommendations for near-term and long-term actions that can be taken to meet the organization’s product delivery and quality goals. The recommendations are prioritized to reflect their impact on improving your teams efficiency and effectiveness in performing their work.

After a review is complete, Managing Technology can work with you to implement the recommendations.


The Approach
Each review begins with one or more meetings between Managing Technology and the review’s sponsor. These meetings communicate the purpose for the review, establish the focus and scope, outline sensitive areas that should be avoided or specially handled, and determine the deliverables.

Managing Technology generates a written proposal that captures the intent and particulars of the review and submits this for approval.

The review proceeds by interviewing management and technical team members. Appropriate project and procedural documentation are reviewed. Important project processes are researched. Typical research includes project team meetings, project plans, test plans, test procedure documents, status reports, defect management procedures and tools, change management procedures and tools, product requirement management procedures, software build/integration procedures, etc. Where appropriate, project meetings are attended. Most review activities and interviews are conducted on-site.

If specific tool recommendations are expected, research and vendor interviews are conducted as appropriate.

A final written report provides findings and recommendations. Shortly after delivery of the report, and at the client’s discretion, a meeting is held to walk through the findings and recommendations.