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Project Management

Industry-leading software developers and demand response operators have collaborated with academic researchers to design StrataGen’s solutions, and it is this same pool of expertise that it uses to deploy its solutions at customer locations. System analysis and installation, configuration of back-end tools to match customer requirements, system testing and final delivery of the solution to customer satisfaction are automatically included as a part of StrataGen’s service.

StrataGen's Project Management Methodology

StrataGen’s Project Management Methodology is structured on a Customer’s specific needs for implementing Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Projects. Whether the need is to incorporate a specific Project Management Office (PMO) to track multiple simultaneous Projects as part of a larger ongoing ITS initiative, or something that is more suitable to a smaller single implementation, we are able to accommodate you with a professional approach that follows proven standards as that have been developed by industry and academic practitioners. We feel that paramount to the success of most implementation efforts, a Project Lifecycle approach will provide you with a unique customer experience that manages multi-disciplinary groups through the execution of your Project needs with StrataGen as your partner.

Introduction to Projects

As shown in the following overview diagram, there are typically five different functions that are considered as part of a Project Management engagement.

The combination of these described Project functions provides a simple but clear Project Lifecycle delivery framework that focuses on providing a seamless transition between Work Groups, while allowing the Project Managers (StrataGen and the Customer) to facilitate the necessary controls to jointly monitor and track progress.

Project Implementation Lifecycle

StrataGen’s Project Lifecycle identifies 4 key phases described below.

Phase 1: Project Initiation.

Commencing either during the formulation of a proposal-response, and/or a Discovery Review, a member of the Project Management Team is engaged to assist in defining the proposed Project goals and related effort. On approval, the Project objectives are reviewed through the Statement of Work, or are provided in the form of a Discovery Fit-Gap Analysis so that any technical items can be addressed and the necessary project resources can be confirmed. Given the nature of some of our Customer’s environments, StrataGen’s Project Managers are able to integrate into most stakeholder organizations, such as the Small/Large Organization structures depicted below.

Phase 2: Planning.

During the Planning Phase, the Project Manager will work together with the Customer to develop and execute on a project/implementation plan that identifies specific tasks required for the project implementation, which includes but is not limited to:

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) – a detailed task list by resource with proposed time frames;
• Communication Plan – includes key personnel contacts, the frequency/duration of proposed Project Team reviews;
• Risk Management Plan – Project risks as identified and proposed through mitigation methods;
• Integration Management Plan – a systems overview plan outlining how unique business needs or functional requirements will be included through needed Enhancements;
• Change Management Plan – as needed, describing how changes will be managed by resource, schedule and/or cost re-assignments;
• Quality Plan – Quality assurance and controls used to ensure that the systems meet design quality standards, as needed.

Phase 3: Execution, Monitoring and Control

Throughout the Execution Phase work plans are executed as scheduled. The goal during this phase is to allow the Work Teams to conduct the work and effectively monitor and control any events from interfering with the desired work initiatives. During a typical Project Execution phase, Systems are best configured through tuning and trial-test reviews to see if the desired outcomes are produced, such as noted improved Service Metrics. Any supporting documentation and Training programs are also usually developed during this project phase. Additionally, Pilot Programs can also be beneficial to allow the Project Team to operationally determine any necessary changes to current business practices, and determine any other activities or changes necessary for a production System Deployment. Phase 4: System Deployment.

The intent during system deployment is to have as much of the production system fully tested and prepared for cutover as possible. In order to prepare for Production Cutovers, StrataGen typically recommends Acceptance Tests that ensure that both functional and integrated elements of the desired system are fully operational.

Once System Deployment is considered complete and stabilized, which usually occurs over a 30 day period, the following steps are considered as part of the transition of Project System to Maintenance & Support operations:

• Archive Project Files and Document a Lessons-Learned/Project Report
  
  Once your project is complete, all project documents will be stored together for future reference. We also like to keep track of valuable lessons learned throughout the project, such as how industry best-practices are maintained and have been developed. Ideally, the Project Report includes relevant Project information, such as: work methods, transfer to support operations, acceptance criteria, change management tracking (systems and resources).
  
  
• Celebrate Project Success and engage with Customer Support
  
  Operations We believe that an informal celebration event for the project team is a great idea. It not only signifies the end of the project, but it is a great time to recognize team member contributions and what hopefully will be considered a long-standing partnership. Similar to the recognition of the Project Teams on work performed is the engagement of the Maintenance and Support Teams vital to maintain the system operationally. Typically, a transition call with the key Project Team members with StrataGen Support staff will provide a transition to Customer Support Operations.