Every project is a collection of challenges (some more complex than others) in need of solutions (some more obvious than others). And though the problems and frustrations come in many sizes and shapes, there is almost always someone, somewhere who faced each one of them before. Yes, the good news is that you're never really alone. In fact, you're probably part of a well-defined segment of the project management population that more than a few technology and training providers are looking to reach.

 

So whether you're a 20-year IT veteran charged with finding and implementing an integrated enterprise workflow system to meet recent compliance regulations, or an "accidental" project manager desperately seeking a crash course in scheduling and planning fundamentals, there is inevitably a technology solution or training service designed to help.

 

With that in mind, here is a year-end roundup of 16 recently introduced tools and services, divided into four main categories — IT Governance, Projects and Portfolios, Education and Training, and Software Development — that you might consider putting to work for you in 2005.

 

 

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Project failure rates continue to frustrate many organizations, but others have taken to heart a simple lesson from past mistakes. In order for their initiatives to succeed, they need people skilled in project management. And if they don't have them, they need to train and educate. Here are four offerings that improve project management skills and knowledge at both the individual and organizational level.

 

Project management training provider RMC launches interactive online PMP certification course.

RMC Project Management has introduced an online version of its market-leading PMP exam preparation course. Developed by Rita Mulcahy, founder of RMC, this lesson-based, self-study course is designed for a high level of interactivity. In addition to 12 hands-on lessons, students are treated to dozens of exercises and games, timed and scored practice exams, real-time chat functionality and streaming video as well as tips and tricks from Mulcahy. Lessons are completed on a student’s own schedule, at a pace each student is comfortable with.

 

As part of its pricing model, RMC is offering potential PMPs two registration options. The first is a full Registration, which grants students 180 days access to the online course and all associated materials. The second option is called a "refresher course," designed for students who are close to taking the exam and wish to fill the remainder of their knowledge gaps. In addition, RMC is offering PMI chapter and corporate discounts for groups of 10 students or more.

 

For information, visit http://www.rmcproject.com/.

 

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KIDASA Software has expanded its training services with Microsoft LiveMeeting.

KIDASA Software has implemented a variety of new online training offerings using Microsoft LiveMeeting, allowing customers who are unable to take advantage of KIDASA's on-site training services to benefit from personal instruction with a training expert directly from their workstation. 

 

KIDASA's training services, which previously included only customer on-site classroom training, have been expanded to include one-on-one training, open classes and arge-group overview sessions. The flexibility of Microsoft LiveMeeting allows unlimited training configurations. One major defense contractor has already reserved an extended sequence of training dates dedicated to its user-group, which will provide training for nearly 50 employees without needing to gather every user together in one place. Instead, each user will receive interactive classroom-style training from their own desk, with their choice of dates and training sessions.

 

KIDASA also offers a complete line of Milestones project scheduling solutions. Milestones Professional 2004 continues to offer ease-of-use, high presentation quality and flexibility for a variety of scheduling and reporting needs, including earned value, performance, contract task plans, multiyear launch plans, or complex system integration schedules. For more information, including software downloads, sample schedules and movie tours, visit www.kidasa.com.

 

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George Mason University offers four-course certificate in project management as well as PMP Certification Exam preparation.

George Mason University’s PMI-approved project management certificate courses present a solid foundation in how to plan, execute, control and complete projects on time and within budget. In addition, the courses prepare students to take the PMP Certification Exam.

 

To earn a certificate of completion in Project Management, students must complete four core courses, plus one elective. As a special offer for 2005, students who register for the four core courses will receive a free elective course. Students who complete the four-day Project Management Certification: PMP Exam Preparation course are guaranteed to pass the PMP exam or they can take the class again until they pass for free.

 

The courses are held at GMU's Arlington, Va., campus and the Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon, Va. GMU also offers tailored on-site certificate programs for organizations. Mention Projects@Work and receive a 10 percent discount. To register, visit http://www.ocpe.gmu.edu/.

 

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Open enrollment, onsite and custom learning solutions from Global Knowledge cater to all skill levels, helping organizations realize value for project management learning initiatives.

Global Knowledge’s expanded project management and professional skills offerings help make organizations and individuals more effective at getting projects completed on time, within budget, and to specification. These solutions include onsite maturity assessments for organizations and individuals, strategic learning plans, customized curriculum solutions, learning management system support, onsite and remote mentoring, and a robust list of classes that can be easily adopted for any learning need and environment.

 

The courses maximize learning through intensive, hands-on exercises and a comprehensive catalog of templates and tools that can be used immediately upon class completion. This experiential design puts theory into practice and dramatically improves learning experience, professional development and retention. The PMP Exam Prep Boot Camp boasts a 97 percent pass rate and a money-back guarantee. Instructors maintain their expertise through project management consulting — working with Fortune 1000 companies, developing hands-on courses and building custom exercises to go beyond the curriculum to teach best practices, tips, and tricks as well as consult on challenges faced within organizations.

 

For more information, visit: www.globalknowledge.com/project.

 

 

PORTFOLIOS AND PROJECTS

Best-practice organizations know there is real value in project portfolio management (PPM), collaboration and process standards. PPM solutions, often integrated with collaboration, resource and project management tools, can help provide a framework for consistency, reliability and visibility into the information that will be the basis of decisions to create, continue, blend or end projects within the portfolio.

 

New version of enterprise project management solution from AtTask extends capabilities.

AtTask, Inc. recently released version 3.5 of @task, a web-native enterprise project management solution that maximizes organizational efficiency and profitability. @task’s easy-to-implement, web-managed approach increases individual productivity, fosters individual responsibility, facilitates team collaboration and maximizes management resources and project transparency.

 

With the new additions in @task version 3.5, projects can be linked to organizational objectives and sub-objectives making the details of project status, costs and budgets transparent and how they relate to overall goals easy to track. Other enhancements include:

* Account management support for work performed as a service to internal and external clients. Account managers can instantly view up-to-the-minute invoices, payments, costs, budgets and revenue for easier billing and client management.
* Project level analysis of hours, costs, revenue, profit, budget and other ratios for better decision-making capability. Workflow for approving hours, requesting budgets and submitting expenses are also supported. Enterprise level project financial portfolio and cost profiles provide powerful financial analysis capability. Multiple-currency support is also available.

° Contextual navigation capabilities include collapsible menus and hierarchical page views.

* Importing of Microsoft Project XML files for easy conversion of existing projects.

 

For more information, visit http://www.attask.com/.

 

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New service from Business Engine allows users to jump-start the optimization of project portfolios, and can be deployed within three weeks.

Business Engine's Rapid Portfolio Solution offers a fixed-price, two-to-three week optimization engagement to help enterprises gain the visibility and control necessary to make better business decisions and ensure continuous alignment of projects to business objectives. Utilizing a pre-packaged portfolio optimization tool, a Business Engine consultant will work with stakeholders within an organization to define and prioritize business drivers, rank individual programs, identify resource and cost constraints, score the portfolio against these risks, and ultimately select a candidate portfolio that strategically aligns with the most important business drivers.

 

A number of activities highlight the iterative rapid portfolio process, including:

         * Scoring Model Definition — defines three to five core business drivers, establishes the relative weight of these drivers, and develops an approach to scoring individual projects and programs.

         * Idea Capture — takes inventory of new and existing projects and programs for evaluation.

         * Portfolio Selection — identifies resource and cost constraints; scores projects, programs and ideas based on business objectives and financial benefits; and automatically selects a candidate portfolio.

 

For more information, visit http://www.businessengine.com/.

 

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Portal-based timesheet module from Genius Inside provides users with additional benefits such as integration of data with concurrent applications.

Genius Inside's has introduced the Genius Project Management Timesheet Module portlet, which runs on the Lotus Workplace/WebSphere Portal Server platform and offers the same features as the timesheet module included in the Genius Enterprise Project Management suite of Notes and Web-based products, but provides them for Workplace and Portal users.

 

By converting the Timesheet module to a portlet, Genius Inside offers users the additional benefits of a portal-based environment, such as single sign on, integration of data with concurrent applications and a three-dimensional view of this and other data from the desktop. Genius Inside is currently porting other Genius Enterprise Project modules to Workplace and plans to have these additional modules available early next year.

 

For more information, visit www.geniusinside.com.

 

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Component of Oracle suite enables organizations to standardize project decisions by defining weighted criteria and targets for portfolios, such as ROI, market fit and risk.

Oracle Corporation will be introducing a number of significant enhancements to its Enterprise Project Management Suite of applications in 2005. One of the major capabilities introduced is Project Portfolio Planning, which helps organizations evaluate, prioritize, and select the right projects — guided by financial criteria, strategic goals and available funds.

 

Project Portfolio Planning enables organizations to standardize project decisions by defining weighted criteria and targets for portfolios, such as return on investment, market fit, and technology risk.

 

For more information, visit http://www.oracle.com/.

 

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New online survey tool combines experienced consulting and DIY convenience for data analysis, customer reporting and ease of use.

Omega Survey Group has introduced OmegaInform, a self-service, secure, Internet-based survey tool that helps project managers design and implement efficient, effective surveys. The new offering provides sophisticated interpretation and analysis of results, and customized reports. Designed for use by human resources, marketing, and other professionals charged with developing and implementing corporate surveys, OmegaInform can brige the gap between custom consulting services and self-service surveys that are easy to use but lack nuance.

 

Bridging the gap between custom consulting services and self-service surveys that are easy to use but lack interpretive nuance, OmegaInform’s online platform enables project managers to quickly and easily track, manage, instantly report on, and integrate survey data. The solution can purchased for a one-time set-up charge of as little as $495 per survey. A small monthly subscription fee covers the hosting of each OmegaInform survey project. Additional system upgrades are also available.

 

For more information, visit http://www.omegasurvey.com/.

 

 

IT GOVERNANCE

In the current economic and regulatory climate, IT organizations have become accountable to the highest corporate levels, and IT leaders, from CIOs to project managers, are expected to provide insight into their initiatives on a real-time basis. The offerings are designed to foster that visibility with features that automate processes, strengthen analysis and tighten controls.

 

System from Troux aggregates siloed IT information and provide the visibility and applications needed to effectively measure, manage and optimize across the enterprise.

Troux's IT Governance system links enterprise architecture management and IT governance, enabling CIOs and their organizations to address their toughest challenges in the areas of IT financial management, regulatory compliance, services management, and business continuity planning. The Troux IT Governance System includes:

* Enterprise Baseline – creates a living map of all business and technology resources, and provides enterprise architecture management tools to reduce IT data management, analysis and planning costs

* IT Financial Management – automates tracking and management of IT expenditures to reduce costs of unnecessary IT spend and financial management of assets

* Regulatory Compliance – compares infrastructure to corporate policies to minimize non-compliance risk and reduce compliance management costs

* Business Continuity Planning – aligns continuity plans with the IT environment to minimize risks, decrease downtime events and reduce plan management costs

* Service Delivery Management – automates service level agreement performance tracking and analysis to reduce service management costs and accelerate value through reduced cycle times

* Executive Dashboard – provides timely, relevant insight to executives across the corporation, letting them see the business impact of successful IT Governance

 

For more information, visit http://www.troux.com/.

 

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Multi-application enterprise offering from Mercury helps automate IT processes from demand, portfolio, program and resource management to final production.

Mercury IT Governance Center 6.0, to be released in January, offers several new improvements, including time-based portfolio scenario analysis, embedded best-of-class document management, and a next-generation dashboard supporting JSR 168 and WSRP standards. Other items include a Sarbanes-Oxley offering to help companies ease and automate portions of their compliance burden, pre-packaged ITIL processes, and a hosted applications offering.

 

Mercury will also add support for automated decision-making and a software development lifecycle solution. While software typically focuses on automating the collection and organization of information, Mercury is taking the next step to recommend portfolio decisions based on constraints and multiple objectives including ROI, business goals, budgets, risks and available resources. Mercury will also be releasing validated integration between its Governance and QualityCenters that enable customers to integrate quality testing into the change management process with common dashboard visibility.

 

For more information, visit http://www.mercuryinteractive.com/.

 

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Enhanced solution from Pacific Edge includes improved auditing support, calculation engine, planning and analysis, collaboration and printing, and interface navigation.

Pacific Edge Software recently released Portfolio Edge version 3.1, with enhanced IT business management capabilities. Based on patent-pending planning and analysis technology platform, the release provides a number of new features, including:

         * Improved fiscal calendar planning and analysis – support for unique fiscal periods (e.g.. 13 months/periods) through configuration of fiscal year providers, dynamic switching and mixing of calendar and fiscal periods.

         * Calculation engine enhancements - non-dimensioned CTPAs and managed dimensional calculations.

         * Improved support for auditing – workflow audit log captures a full history of data at each workflow transition.

         * New printing and collaboration – support for datasheet and portfolio manager printing and new integrated document store.

         * Improved usability – new search feature for investments and documents, simplified moving of investments through the portfolio hierarchy, improved management of groups with nesting and expand/collapse of groups in the business case view, and selective expansion/collapse default states for Group by categories on datasheets.

         * Improved connectivity and enterprise integration – enhanced user importing, connector capabilities, and a new concept of configurable jobs and plug-ins, support for time-phased import, and time-phased export to XML.

         * Improved security – customers can organize security by groups and set inheritance of permissions, datasheets can be kept personal and private, and dimensions can be set to read-only to prevent users from changing data.

         * Improved Performance – faster client side user interface navigation and performance for datasheets and business case view.

 

For more information, visit http://www.pacificedge.com/.

 

 

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

A prerequisite for successful software projects, and one that is often missing from today’s hurried project teams, is to develop a shared vision of the software under development — bridging the gap between best principles and actual practices.

 

Case and Requirement Gathering

Serlio Software's Case Complete 1.5 allows project teams to quickly generate and share use cases, while graphically visualizing models.

Serlio Software, which specializing in use-case authoring tools and .NET enterprise architecture services, has introduced Case Complete version 1.5, the latest release of its best-in-class use case requirements authoring tool. Case Complete helps large and small organizations across all industries capture an accurate vision of the software they are developing. Now that vision can be shared in a variety of new ways with stakeholders — both technical and business oriented.

 

The new version supports export to Microsoft Word documents and features XMI-compliant xml-based export capabilities to integrate into nearly every other UML modeling tool on the market today. Business analysts, system designers and project managers can choose from one of many predefined Word templates allowing them to quickly generate and share use cases across functional and organizational teams. In addition to flexible reporting, Case Complete can also export data to UML tools, allowing project teams to graphically visualize their use case model.

 

For more information, visit. http://www.serlio.com/.

 

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New end-to-end enterprise software change management solution from MKS delivers total, real-time visibility across the development organization.

MKS Integrity Suite 2005 provides organizations greater control of their software projects through a host of new features, spanning management dashboards, charting, reporting and metrics. The solution, available January 22, enables visibility across distributed, iSeries and mainframe platforms; provides summaries across every phase of the development lifecycle for single or multiple concurrent projects; and allows users to drill down into project details, from requirement to line of code change.

 

In addition, Integrity Suite 2005 mitigates risk with ‘Right Weight’ requirements management. Built as an extension of MKS’s enterprise SCM capabilities, this feature enables complete lifecycle traceability from business requirements to the deployed artifact through one integrated application. The suite also supports regulatory compliance goals through e-signature verification, server-side audit logging, and continuous, uninterrupted versioning capabilities.

 

For more information, visit www.mks.com/products/integritysuite2005.

 

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New lifecycle change management solution from Telelogic synchronizes response to change from requirements through testing.

Telelogic has introduced a new lifecycle change management solution that provides integrated change control processes across the product, systems and software development lifecycles from customer needs through design specifications and software coding to testing. Powered by the change and configuration management capabilities of Telelogic SYNERGY and integrated with the requirements management tool Telelogic DOORS, the solution is complemented by the new Telelogic Dashboard, which provides management with visual key status indicators to monitor project progress against business objectives.

 

Telelogic's Lifecycle Change Management solution enables and records complete impact analysis of a change request across lifecycle disciplines – involving all relevant stakeholders – before any implementation decision is made. The solution enables immediate synchronization of all the project team members with the latest change management decisions, while the Telelogic Dashboard provides management with visibility of project performance against key business objectives, based on the latest data extracted from the change management repository.

 

For more information, visit www.telelogic.com.

 

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New version of Digite's web-based collaborative framework for managing enterprise business projects and portfolio addresses software quality and processes.

Digite Enterprise 4.1 addresses the requirements of the software quality and process groups within organizations, featuring configurable templates, SDLC process maps and customizable metrics components for automating the standard organization software processes that comply with CMMi practices. Digité QMS provides support for CMMI process areas and key practices implementation in the following areas:

Process and Project Management: allows organizations to define process templates for standard software processes, organization metrics and goals. Each Digité process template has Process Capability Baseline metrics associated with it; supports the goals and practices of project planning, monitoring and control, risk management, change control management and integrated project management.

Engineering: project teams can collect stakeholder needs and collaboratively develop customer requirements, product requirements, component requirements and interface requirements. It provides utility to define and track size, effort and defect metrics of design and implementation works and their different versions. The framework has customizable, workflow-driven functionality to support verification and validation of goals and practices. Test Management utility provides means to define and execute tests, capture and analyze test results.

Support: a shared, configuration-controlled project repository of more than 50 metrics, with access controlled by check-in, checkout operations. The framework features customizable, workflow-driven functionality to support process and product quality assurance procedures. Dashboards defined for QA services facilitate centralized tracking of organizational QA activity and conformance of various projects to established QA objectives.

 

For more information, visit www.digite.com.