SOPHIST Project report SVS

Project Note

u Project Note

SOPHIST GmbH

Introduction of

Vordere Cramergasse 13

90478 Nürnberg Deutschland

requirements

E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de . Internet: www.sophist.de Fon: +49 (0)911 40 900-0 . Fax: +49 (0)911 40 900-99

engineering

Project Note

u Project Note

SOPHIST GmbH

Introduction of

Vordere Cramergasse 13

90478 Nürnberg Deutschland

requirements

E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de . Internet: www.sophist.de Fon: +49 (0)911 40 900-0 . Fax: +49 (0)911 40 900-99

engineering

Introduction of requirements engineering In 2011, the IT-department of the Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen (Dresden) asked SOPHIST to unlock potential for optimizing the field of requirements management.

It was SOPHIST’s task to support the customer in implementing requirements engineering, harmonizing processes cross-functionally and establishing RE-methods inhouse.

The Challenge At the Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen numerous departments exist apart from the IT-department which fulfill tasks with a strong ITfocus. Requirements for altering existing DP-systems as well as the implementation of new rates, products and processes with effects on existing IT-systems are considered in these departments. Moreover, the implementation is accompanied by line- and project work.

Within the scope of the preceding process analysis, the Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen has ascertained the great potential that lies in a cross-functional harmonization of the requirements processes and the used documents. So far, documents and modes of practice have differed greatly – depending on system and department. Heterogeneous styles of writing as well as the alternating granularity and structure of documents have exacerbated the comprehensibility. And this in turn hampered the estimation of efforts prior to an implementation. This estimation was then extremely time-consuming and required a lot of coordination. Subsequently, taking the numerous change requests into consideration with regard to the implementation proved difficult and required lots of effort.

With the introduction of a consistent requirements management process on the basis of consistent RE-methods, the full potential for optimization is tapped. The preceding restructuring and new thematic focus of the IT department allowed for a bundling of competence with regard to requirements management in one team. It was SOPHIST’s challenge to train the

team and further colleagues dealing with DP-tasks on a methodological level, to generate a “future requirements management process” mutually, to validate this process and then to implement it together with the IT-department. It was the ultimate goal to raise every department’s awareness for requirements management and to establish mutually practiced processes.

Implementation In a first step, SOPHIST trained team members of the IT-department of SV Sachsen in the methodology of requirements management. In further workshops with colleagues involved in the processes, the requirements management processes at SV Sachsen were harmonized and a coherent document structure was established. Individual issues, such as content and design of document templates, nature and fields of application of models, important process components, actors, and interfaces as well as utilized sets of regulations were defined and consolidated.

In the scope of pilot projects, these documents and methods were intensively tested, discussed, refined and made quorate.

SOPHIST has intensely supported the customer in terms of the finalization of process documents and templates, the generation of material for trainings, PR and further purposes as well as in terms of inhouse presentations for colleagues and decision makers.

Technical Data: Tools Employed: Word, Powerpoint Methods Employed: Volere and IEEE templates for documents as a basis for discussions SOPHIST Template SOPHIST Set of REgulations Use Cases Activity Diagrams State Machines Trainings Workshops

SOPHIST GmbH Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 Nürnberg Deutschland fon: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-0 fax: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-99 E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de Internet: www.sophist.de © SOPHIST

Introduction of requirements engineering The consistent methods and templates were fixated in a process manual. SOPHIST then supported the IT-department in the preparation and conduction of introductory sessions for executives, project managers and staff members. In these short sessions, the participants were informed about the harmonized requirements management process, alterations from the former process were addressed and further training and qualification measures were offered. SOPHIST provided support for the further establishment of the new RM-process and methods through specific coaching of the IT-team and of smaller project teams. SOPHIST trained a core team of requirements managers as certified requirements engineers (CPRE). As a result, the requirements management process was filled with life only after approx. eight months. Well prepared requirements managers can now process a great number of change requests, placed by the departments, already in the idea generation phase.

Bildquelle: © iStockphoto | Scientist, Sharing Ideas

The introduction of RM-processes has also had an impact on the project management process and its attendant documents and proceedings.

In addition, further adjacent disciplines were examined and optimized. Useful optimizations were identified and, in some cases, already implemented.

Today, process responsibilities are clearly regulated and continuously improved. A multistage training model for qualifying the staff in the field of requirements engineering was established and offered to interested colleagues.

Customer Benefit ►► Process manual, incl. clear distribution of roles and tasks structuring the requirements management at SV Sachsen ►► Consistent document templates and checklists for requirements elicitation and documentation ►► Greater transparency in terms of the project and requirements portfolio ►► New approaches for project planning, portfolio management and project management ►► Established requirements engineering on a consistent methodological basis through a consolidated and valid process ►► Best practices and guidelines for the creation of documents ►► Continuous improvement of processes, methods and documents by staff members and process owners ►► Training concept and material together with a multistage training model (incl. certification) for the staff

Technical Data: Tools Employed: Word, Powerpoint Methods Employed: Volere and IEEE templates for documents as a basis for discussions SOPHIST Template SOPHIST Set of REgulations Use Cases Activity Diagrams State Machines Trainings Workshops

SOPHIST GmbH Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 Nürnberg Deutschland fon: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-0 fax: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-99 E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de Internet: www.sophist.de © SOPHIST