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OnDemand Process Asset Library Overview

Version: 1.0 Date: July 2010

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Table of Contents

1 Welcome...................................................................................................................................................2 2 Components of the OnDemand Process Asset Library.............................................................................3 2.1 Policies 4 2.2 Procedures 5 2.2.1 OPAL Procedure structure and map...........................................................................................5 2.2.2 References within procedures.....................................................................................................5 2.2.2.1 Instructional references............................................................................................................5 2.2.2.2 Informational references..........................................................................................................6 2.3 Guidance type of Concepts (Standards)............................................................................................6 2.4 Guidance type of Guidelines.............................................................................................................6 2.5 Work Products 6 2.6 Extensions, OPAL Annex and Organizational Reference Documents (ORDs)................................7 3 Implementing and Applying the OnDemand Process Asset Library........................................................7 3.1 Implementing OPAL.........................................................................................................................7 3.2 Project Tailoring................................................................................................................................8 3.3 Projects and Project Management Structures....................................................................................8 3.4 Policy exceptions...............................................................................................................................9 3.5 Verification of use.............................................................................................................................9 4 OPAL and other worldwide IBM methods...............................................................................................9 4.1 Worldwide Project Management Method (WWPMM).....................................................................9 4.2 IBM Unified Method Framework....................................................................................................10 4.3 Customer Relationship Management (CRM)..................................................................................10 4.4 Worldwide Quality Assurance (WW QA).......................................................................................11 4.5 GBS Project Launch Policy.............................................................................................................11 5 The OnDemand Process Asset Library and CMMI................................................................................11 Document Control Page.............................................................................................................................13

1 Welcome
The OnDemand Process Asset Library (OPAL) governs the way staff plans and executes projects and programs, and performs related organizational functions. The primary objective of OPAL is to provide a single reference point for all organizations regarding project management and related engineering. The following diagram shows the relationships between OPAL and other methods and processes.

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OPAL brings together IBM worldwide policies, processes and methods, which are represented by: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) processesspecifically Solution Design and Solution Delivery. For additional information, refer to the GBS Global CRM Business Process. Worldwide Project Management Method (WWPMM), which defines IBMs common project management method for IBM projects worldwide. For additional information, refer to WWPMM. IBM Unified Method Framework, which provides technical methods (such as delivery processes) for performing solution engineering and other Information Technology (IT) services. For additional information, refer to MethodWeb. Policies, such as Service Line and Geography policies on the IBM Global Solution Delivery Framework (IGSDF) and the GBS Project Launch Policy. For additional policy considerations, refer to the Process Asset Library Usage Guideline.

2 Components of the OnDemand Process Asset Library


The major components of OPAL are: procedures, guidance (including concepts (standards), guidelines, checklists and others), work products and the OPAL Annex. Additional assets, such as roles and training are also included. Procedures describe how various tasks are to be performed. Guidance includes many different types of information, including: o Concepts (Standards) that contain rules for certain specialized kinds of work. o Guidelines that typically provide additional optional information on specific subjects. Under certain circumstances, Guidelines may not be optional, for example, a concept (standard) may indicate that a guideline is mandatory under certain circumstances.

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o Checklists that identify a series of items those need to be completed or verified. Checklists are often used in reviews such as work product inspections. o Templates that support work products by providing a pre-defined structure for creating the work product. o Tool Mentors that provide information on performing a task or creating a work product with a specific tool. Work products represent the verifiable outcomes of the OPAL procedures. The OPAL Annex is a repository for storing Organizational Reference Documents (ORD) and other organizational documents. Each organization is expected to store an ORD in the OPAL Annex. At locations throughout OPAL, users are directed to reference their ORD for specific information. The ORD contains policies, standards and other organizational information. In addition: o The Roles section provides a list of job and functional roles, with links to the role description. o OPAL Navigation provides alternatives to viewing the assets by their asset type index, including: Procedure Map, which is a conceptual representation of how the OPAL procedures relate to each other. Work Classification Navigator, which provides a view of the OPAL and related assets, constructed by work products at points in the lifecycle for some typical project classifications (such as small projects). Supported Industry Models includes links to information about such topics as CMMI, ISO 9001, SAS 70, ITIL and Life Sciences OPAL References provides additional helpful information, including: o Policies, with links to organizational policies. Note that additional policies and standards may be included in an organizations ORD, as described above. o Glossaries, to define terms and acronyms. o Training, with links to many training courses designed to assist the OPAL user. o External links to additional sources of information.

2.1 Policies
Policies and standards for project management may be established at many levels throughout an organization and organizations must be aware of and in compliance with all policies and standards that apply to them. These may include corporate practices, Service Line, Geography, Regional, Organizational, and Client-based directives, standards or policies. The OPAL Policy page links to organizational policies, such as Service Line and Geography policies on the IBM Global Solution Delivery Framework (IGSDF). Many organizations are also subject to their own organizational policies, which may be linked to from their organizations Organizational Reference Document (ORD) in the

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OPAL Annex. Refer to OPAL Policies or to IBM Global Solution Delivery Framework (IGSDF) Policies for additional information on policies. Refer to the OPAL Annex page for more information on the OPAL Annex and ORDs.

2.2 Procedures
Procedures are a key component of OPAL and provide the user with a comprehensive picture of how to perform work. The OPAL procedures consist of: Procedures for program management, project management and related engineering activities Related organizational procedures, such as the Organizational Training Program Procedure (IMSP480) Each procedure is represented by a Capability Pattern (CP). The CP includes a Work Breakdown Structure tab which lists tasks for that procedure. Selecting a task provides a series of steps that comprise the task. From the Description tab of the procedure, the More Information section includes a link to a print preview version of the procedure, which is a view of all of the tasks and steps together.

2.2.1 OPAL Procedure structure and map


The OPAL procedures are integrated to provide users with a comprehensive management system. Each procedure has a defined purpose and scope, and the procedures collectively provide the procedural direction required, while not overlapping each other. As a consequence, procedures often pass control to other procedures using instructional references as defined below. For example, the Project Planning Procedure (IMSP491) may pass control to the Estimating Procedure (IMSP380) with the following instruction: Establish the effort to complete the required work in accordance with the Estimating Procedure (IMSP380). Other than the instruction above, the Project Planning Procedure (IMSP491) would not contain any direction or information regarding estimating. Such direction is contained within the Estimating Procedure (IMSP380). For program management, project management and the related engineering process, the logical flow of control in OPAL starts with the Response Management Procedure (IMSP390) and the Service Request Management Procedure (IMSP460). These procedures represent initial entry points into the OPAL Project Management procedures. When a Project Manager receives a request to perform work, these procedure serve as a guide to determining how to manage work in accordance with OPAL. The Procedure Map shows how the procedures integrate and combine to form a comprehensive process asset library. Refer to the About this map document for information on the conventions used in creating the procedure map and how to use it.

2.2.2 References within procedures 2.2.2.1 Instructional references


Within the body of procedures, where one procedure passes control to another by instructing users to perform all or part of another procedure, the words in accordance with and symbol are used to indicate that it is an instructional reference. For example, a step in a procedure may read: Prepare a project management system summary in accordance with the Project Planning Procedure (IMSP491).

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This instructional reference indicates that the reader must perform all or part of the Project Planning Procedure (IMSP491) and create the appropriate work product (the project management system summary). Significant instructional references correlate to the relationships shown on the OPAL Procedure map.

2.2.2.2 Informational references


Where one procedure includes an informational reference to another procedure or asset, the words refer to and the symbol , are used to indicate that it is an informational reference. For example, a step in a procedure may read: Identify and describe the approach for tracking work progress against the planned schedule, to ensure information on actual progress against estimates is captured for project reporting. Refer to the Project Monitoring and Control Procedure (IMSP421) for details of project tracking. This instructional reference indicates that the reader may want to read all or part of the Project Monitoring and Control Procedure (IMSP421) to understand the requirements for project tracking. However, the reference is not indicating that they need to perform any part of the procedure or create any work products at this time. The symbol is also used to indicate informational references to other sources of information both within or outside OPAL. For example, it may indicate a reference to a Guideline or external website. Informational references are not shown on the OPAL Procedure map.

2.3 Guidance type of Concepts (Standards)


Concepts (Standards) provide specific direction regarding particular subjects and their use is mandated in some circumstances. For example, the United States Export Regulation Standard (IMSS040) must be applied before any technology or service is delivered outside the United States or to a non-US person. The OPAL procedures provide appropriate references to any applicable concepts (standards).

2.4 Guidance type of Guidelines


Guidelines typically provide more detailed, optional advice or techniques on specific subjects. For example, the Small Project Guideline provides guidance on managing small projects and small work efforts. Under certain circumstances, Guidelines may not be optional, for example, a concept (standard) may indicate that a guideline is mandatory under certain circumstances. The OPAL procedures provide references to related guidelines.

2.5 Work Products


Work products represent the verifiable outcome of performing OPAL procedures. The procedures also link directly to work products. The work products represent logical collections of data that are typically developed and maintained by teams using OPAL. Work products are classified as Artifact, a Deliverable or an Outcome. Artifacts represent tangible items that may have examples or a predefined template and serve as basis for reuse. Work Products of type Artifact can be composed of sub-Artifacts

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Outcomes are intangible items of significance used to show the completion of some set of activities or a result that does not represent a harvestable asset (i.e. trained students, configured system, installed software, etc) Deliverables describe the primary outputs that represent value to the client, customer or other stakeholders and are typically the resulting of packaging other work products for sign-off and delivery The Artifacts and Deliverables often include links to templates that can be used to create these work products. These templates can also be linked to directly from the Templates index under Guidance. The templates provided are to be used unless a local equivalent template has been developed or a tool is being used. Any locally developed equivalent or tool must capture and maintain the work product data identified within the procedure, as appropriate. In some cases, multiple templates may be available. If an organization has an extension template, it will be included in the list of available templates and will be named with a suffix specific to that organization. A template may also be labeled with a suffix of 'CMMI', which indicates that it is an OPAL-specific template and there may be another base core template associated with this work product, such as a WWPMM-specific version. Note that the procedure provides a full set of activities and supporting work products required to successfully execute the procedure. Often, a project's work breakdown structure (WBS) will combine activities, and may eliminate or change work products. The procedure is a reference to understand what tasks are entailed for this procedure, and your WBS will guide the work for your project or effort. Refer to the Project Tailoring Procedure and Project Tailoring Guideline for important information about tailoring work products for projects. Refer to the Project Control Book Guideline for information on storing work products in a project control book.

2.6 Extensions, OPAL Annex and Organizational Reference Documents (ORDs)


OPAL consists of base core assets (such as the procedures, guidance and work products described above) that are common to most or all OPAL user group and some Extensions that are owned by various Service Lines, Geographies, large regions and the IBM Global Account (IGA). New Extensions are not recommended and the existing ones are being merged with core assets of moved to Annex to ensure better maintainability and usability. The OPAL Annex is a repository for storing Organizational Reference Documents (ORD) and other organizational documents. Each organization is expected to store an ORD in the OPAL Annex and at locations throughout OPAL, users are directed to reference their ORD for specific information. The ORD contains policies, standards and other organizational information, and also includes the Extensions used by that organization. Refer to the OPAL Annex page for more information on the OPAL Annex and ORDs.

3 Implementing and Applying the OnDemand Process Asset Library


3.1 Implementing OPAL
OPAL users must meet the intent and purpose of all Business Line, Geography, Region, or local policies and standards to which they are subject. This means that the OPAL must be applied to the degree that is appropriate to the project or program being undertaken.

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Refer to the IGSDF - Beginners Guide to OPAL section for information on getting started with an OPAL implementation. Refer to the Process Asset Library Usage Guideline, which provides rules and guidance for organizations in using the OPAL assets, including information about what must be in place at an organization so that it can implement OPAL successfully and support CMMI. Refer to the OPAL Organizational Guideline for information on setting up the organization infrastructure required to adopt OPAL and support CMMI. Refer to OPAL Governance for information on the organizational process to submit, approve, author, publish and maintain OPAL assets.

3.2 Project Tailoring


Following assets support project tailoring and provide enhanced evidential support for CMMI compliance: o Project Tailoring Procedure (IMSP150): A new procedure, developed to ensure evidential compliance against the requirement for adoption and tailoring of organizational process assets and the development and usage of a project defined process. The procedure also raises the profile of Method Adoption within the overall context of Process Adoption. The procedure is invoked within Project Definition (IMSP395), Project Planning (IMSP491) and Project Start (IMSP391) Procedures. o A new project defined process (ART 0546) Work Product: Providing an addendum to the project management system summary to record the projects adopted and unadopted, and tailored process assets (such as policies, standards, procedures, guidance and work products), together with a record of tailoring explanations for all added, changed or unadopted process assets. Refer to the Project Tailoring Procedure and Project Tailoring Guideline for guidance on applying OPAL while maintaining appropriate and effective management and control of the work without burdening the teams with unnecessary management activity.

3.3 Projects and Project Management Structures


Projects may be managed alone or combined into Project Management Structures (PM Structures), which are similar to programs. When an organization receives a request to perform work, it determines whether the new effort should be a single project or part of a PM Structure. Programs are very similar to PM Structures, but the word program also has other meanings, so OPAL uses PM Structures to describe this combining of related projects and work efforts.

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When project teams apply OPAL, they should recognize the context (that is, if the teams are applying OPAL to a project which is part of a PM Structure, they should leverage the PM Structure assets that are available).

3.4 Policy exceptions


If, for any reason, a project cannot or will not comply with the intent or purpose of applicable policies, a local exception must be raised, approved and documented in the relevant project quality plan in accordance with the Policy or Process Exception Procedure (IMSP002). Exceptions from policy for an entire organization also must be approved in compliance with the Policy or Process Exception Procedure (IMSP002). Refer to the Policy or Process Exception Procedure for additional information on policies and exceptions.

3.5 Verification of use


Compliance with OPAL is assessed periodically (as determined by the manager of the organization or delivery center), by applying the Process Assurance Management Procedure and the Process Assurance Review Procedure.

4 OPAL and other worldwide IBM methods


4.1 Worldwide Project Management Method (WWPMM)
The Worldwide Project Management Method (WWPMM) describes the way staff manages projects in IBM. WWPMM is sponsored by the Project Management Center of Excellence, to support a corporate action directing the organization to design and implement a single, common project management method for IBM projects worldwide. Refer to the Worldwide Project Management Methodology (WWPMM) for detailed information on WWPMM. WWPMM has three major components: Work patterns 62991219.doc age 9 of 13 Copyright IBM Corporation 2010, 2011 All Rights Reserved

Domains Work products OPAL represents an implementation of WWPMM. The OPAL leverages WWPMM by: Aligning procedures with WWPMM work patterns Providing references to WWPMM domains and work patterns from procedures Using WWPMM work products

4.2 IBM Unified Method Framework


The IBM Unified Method Framework provides a single method to enable a common language among all practitioners delivering business solutions. UMF is a fundamental component in accelerating IBM Global Services' shift to assetbased services, providing a mechanism for practitioners to reuse knowledge and assets using a consistent integrated approach. Refer to the MethodWeb for detailed information about the IBM Unified Method Framework. When using UMF, practitioners select the most appropriate Delivery Process and tailor it by adding or removing work products, phases, activities and tasks, to suit the specific circumstances of their project. There are some Delivery Processes that have been created to support the use of the OPAL assets. Models that contain WWPMM and CMMI are used to integrate WWPMM and CMMI Support into the Technical WBS. The Project Tailoring Procedure (IMSP150) raises the profile of Method Adoption within the context of overall Process Adoption, and further supports the definition of the adopted process assets through the usage of project defined process during project definition, planning and start activities. For additional information on project tailoring, refer to section "Project Tailoring" above. While OPAL provides direction regarding project management, UMF is used to provide the technical (solution engineering) methods and techniques. Refer to Using OPAL and Unified Method Framework Together for more information on using OPAL with IBM Unified Method Framework.

4.3 Customer Relationship Management (CRM)


The GBS Global CRM Business Process documents the GBS E2E (End-to-End) engagement life cycle. The GBS process is built on the IBM SSM (Signature Selling Method) and aligns with the IBM WW SDD (Solution Design and Delivery) Process. Within Solution Design and Solution Delivery, the GBS Global CRM Business Process and the OPAL procedures provide references to each other where the OPAL procedures overlap and support a CRM Activity. For example, an OPAL procedure may include an informational reference to CRM in the ORD, such as: Refer to the OPAL Annex for the Organizational Reference Document (ORD) that includes additional information about the Design Solution & Create Proposal process for your organization. The ORD, as previously described, is created and maintained by each organization and stored in the OPAL Annex. The ORD contains policies, standards and other organizational information, including information on the organizations implementation of CRM. Refer to the GBS Global CRM Business Process for additional CRM details. Refer to the OPAL Annex for the Organizational Reference Document (ORD) that includes additional information about your organizations CRM implementation.

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4.4 Worldwide Quality Assurance (WW QA)


Quality Assurance (QA) are those activities (reviews) used to help ensure profitable, high-quality service solutions. The reviews are performed throughout the life of the engagement from opportunity qualification, through solution design and solution delivery. Their objective is the recognition, containment, and / or mitigation of any "risks" that would jeopardize the success of a services project. Quality Assurance is defined and owned by World Wide Quality Assurance (WW QA), and OPAL Extensions to WW QA Policy are not permitted. Any additional business rules that are more restrictive than WW QA, and do not contradict it, must be submitted to WW QA through the appropriate geography WW QA focal point. Refer to the IBM Global Services Worldwide Quality Assurance Start Here to understand WW QA, and to access WW QA training material. Refer to the IBM Global Services Worldwide Quality Assurance - WW QA Process for additional information on the Quality Assurance Process, Geography Business Rules and Guidelines, and Activity Lists that can be used to define activities to support WW QA. Refer to the IBM Global Services Worldwide Quality Assurance Whos Who to contact the appropriate WW QA focal point for scheduling and other assistance. For general questions regarding WW QA, please send a note to QAHELP/Southbury/IBM@IBMUS. Refer to the Procedure for Quality Planning (IMSP230) for additional information on project planning, including the planning of Quality Assurance reviews which are documented in the project quality plan and project management schedule.

4.5 GBS Project Launch Policy


As part of Delivery Excellence, Global Business Services (GBS) projects are expected to adhere to the GBS Project Launch Policy, subject to defined clip levels and in accordance with any Geography-specific variants. Further guidance may be sought from relevant Geography Delivery Excellence leaders and from the relevant Organizational Reference Documents, where applicable.

5 The OnDemand Process Asset Library and CMMI


The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is IBM's chosen model for IBM Global Services to measure the capability of the organization to deliver IT products and services to our clients. It is expected that OPAL users will operate at CMMI maturity level 3, which is considered to be the level of maximum efficiency for the majority of projects. This applies without regard to whether or not they have plans to be formally appraised. It is also understood that some organizations operate with a narrow scope, and cannot adhere to all aspects of CMMI without including out-of-scope tasks. OPAL fulfills part of the requirements of the CMMI model by providing project management and organizational policies, procedures, work products and guidance for delivery organizations. Other elements of the CMMI model are fulfilled through use of IBM Unified Method Framework, and the many tools that support teams in providing products and services to our clients. Still other aspects of the CMMI model are supported by the wider IBM worldwide practices such as skills planning, development and the use of Individual Development Plans (IDPs), the Learning@IBM organization and the IBM Procurement Organization for the contracting of external, third party suppliers.

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There are portions of the OnDemand Process Asset Library that are designed to support organizations pursuing CMMI levels 4 and 5. These sections are indicated by gray shading, and are optional for organizations not using CMMI as a basis for process improvement or organizations targeting a lower maturity level. However, such organizations may find it helpful to implement these aspects of OPAL. Refer to the CMMI Support, OPAL References and the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) for further information about CMMI. Refer to the OPAL Organizational Guideline for information on setting up the organization infrastructure required to adopt OPAL and support CMMI. Refer to Process Asset Library Usage Guideline, which provides rules and guidance for organizations in using the OPAL assets, including information about what must be in place at an organization so that it can implement OPAL successfully and support CMMI.

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Document Control Page


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