OK. So you have decided that your organization has toimprove the way in which it works. You have chosen toimplement a methodology as the best way to achieve thisgoal. And now you ask yourself, where do I start?Whatever the discipline you are trying to model (fromsoftware development to supply chain management), it ishighly probable that a standard framework exists, that canserve as the basis for your own methodology.

WHAT IS A STANDARD FRAMEWORK?

A standard framework is a set of best practices, normallyexpressed as a set of repeatable processes created by anorganization (a professional association, university, publicadministration, etc...). These frameworks are sometimesreferred to as bodies of knowledge, methodologies, etc...

Standard frameworks cannot be applied out of the box. Theyare aimed at a wide spectrum of organizations and thuscannot be detailed to a level at which they are ready touse. In order to have an executable set of processes, aproject has to be undertaken in order to fill the gapbetween the framework best practices and your methodologyexecutable processes. This gap is filled when you havetranslated the best practices into concrete procedures andpolicies that take into account the characteristics of yourorganization and its environment.

For example, when the framework says "determine which risksmight affect the project and document their characteristics"the methodology can say "the project leader registers all project risks in the risk list and documents itscharacteristics". The methodology also provides a link tothe excel spreadsheet that is used as a template for therisk list, and a description of the project leader role inthe organization (skills needed, minimum experience,etc...)

Some of the existing frameworks that can be used as a basefor a methodology are the following:

- IT Service Management: ITIL / COBIT / MOF
- Project Management: PMBoK / PRINCE2
- Software Development: RUP / OPEN Process Framework
- etc...

ADVANTAGES OF USING A STANDARD FRAMEWORK

- You can take advantage of the work made by experiencedprofessionals in the field.

- It establishes a standard terminology, that enhancescommunication both internally and externally.

- It facilitates process benchmarking, so that you can knowhow well you are performing compared to otherorganizations.

- Software vendors create products that are compliant withthe framework, so you will be able to find software thatautomates your processes smoothly.

- Your employees are motivated. They learn something thatadds value to them professionally.

- Mainstream frameworks evolve over time, so you will beable to enhance your methodology.

WHICH FRAMEWORK SHOULD I CHOOSE?

When choosing a framework the following must be taken intoaccount:

- Research and investigate. It is normal that severalframeworks exist for one discipline.

- Determine which standard best meets your needs in terms ofindustry, size of the organization, etc...

- Determine how the standard integrates with standards ofother disciplines.

- Evaluate the structure of the framework. Does it have auniform structure and format for all process descriptions?Does it name roles consistently?

- Evaluate scope. Does it contains all the processes youneed to describe? Does it make reference to the supportingsystems? - Does it contain guidelines and templates?

- Evaluate accordance to your company characteristics. Youmight find that one standard is too heavy for your needs.

Having said this, please note that processes that seem verycomplex in the framework can be implemented through verysimple processes that embed the most value-adding bestpractices.

SUGGESTIONS

- Implement processes gradually and start with thoseprocesses that demonstrate most value.

- Choose a wining framework used by a big number oforganizations.

- Choose a framework that maps to a Capability MaturityModel. This way you can have a roadmap and gain visibilityon where you want to be.

Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant - Processdocumentation software a company specialized in deliveringprocess solutions to knowledge based companies. Theypioneered this concept with metoCube.

Lucas Rodríguez Cervera is founder of Nevant - Process documentation software, a company specialized in delivering process solutions to knowledge based companies. They pioneered this concept with metoCube.