Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework ® Contents Overview Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework MSF and the Digital Nervous System 10 Review 13 Information in this document is subject to change without notice The names of companies, products, people, characters, and/or data mentioned herein are fictitious and are in no way intended to represent any real individual, company, product, or event, unless otherwise noted Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation If, however, your only means of access is electronic, permission to print one copy is hereby granted Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property  1999 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved Microsoft, MS-DOS, MS, Windows, and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A and/or other countries The names of companies, products, people, characters, and/or data mentioned herein are fictitious and are in no way intended to represent any real individual, company, product, or event, unless otherwise noted Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners MOC Project Advisor: Janet Wilson MOC Project Lead: Sharon Salavaria Program Manager/MSF Project Manager: Sharon Limbocker Program Manager/Technical Consultant: Dolph Santello Instructional Designer: Marilyn McCune (Independent) Product Manager: Jim Wilson Product Manager: Jerry Dyer Graphic Artist: Andrea Heuston (Artitudes Layout & Design) Editing Manger: Lynette Skinner Editors: Marilyn McCune (Independent) and Wendy Cleary (S&T Onsite) Production Support: Ed Casper (S&T Consulting) Manufacturing Manager: Bo Galford Lead Product Manager: Development Services: Elaine Nuerenberg Lead Product Manager: Mary Larson Group Product Manager: Robert Stewart Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework iii Instructor Notes Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework Presentation: 30 Minutes Activity A: 15 Minutes This module provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF), including root causes of project failure, solutions provided by MSF, the origins of MSF, a comparison of framework and methodology, and the relationship of MSF to the digital nervous system The activity for this module is a group discussion in which students will use the root causes of project failure as the basis for comparing and sharing their own experiences with Information Technology (IT) projects The module concludes with an instructor-led question and answer review to reinforce learning objectives At the end of this module, students will be able to: Describe MSF by explaining how MSF addresses the typical root causes of project failure, the origins of MSF, and how MSF differs from a methodology Explain why MSF is the foundation for building digital nervous system solutions Materials and Preparation This section provides you with the materials and preparation needed to teach this module Materials To teach this module, you need the following materials: Microsoft® PowerPoint® file 1639A_01.ppt Module 1, “Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework” Preparation To prepare for this module, you should: Read all of the materials for this module Review instructions and objectives for the activity Explore the MSF Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/msf Explore the Digital Nervous System Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/dns Review the following recommended reading: • The Appendix entitled “Build Digital Processes on Standards” in the book Business @ the Speed of Thought, by Bill Gates iv Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Instructions for Activity A: Sharing Your IT Project Experience Description This activity is an instructor-led group discussion in which students will use the typical root causes of project failure to frame a comparison of their experiences with IT projects The goal of this activity is to reinforce students’ understanding of what they have learned so far by applying that information to their own IT project scenarios This activity is followed by the topic, “Solutions Provided by MSF.” Students will compare and contrast their experiences with the following fundamentals: Typical root causes for project failure: • Separation of goal and function • Separation of business and technology • Lack of common language and process • Failure to communicate and act as a team • Processes that are inflexible to change Estimated time to complete this activity: 15 minutes Objective The following is the learning objective for this activity: • In an instructor-led group discussion, provided with a list of points for comparison, students will be able to use the list to guide their discussion of their experiences with IT projects Setup There are no special setup requirements for this activity The Student Workbook lists the MSF points of comparison to be used as a guideline for the discussion Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Module Strategy Use the following strategy to present this module: Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework This section provides an introductory-level discussion on the fundamentals of MSF At the end of this section, students will be able to describe the typical root causes of project failure, explain how MSF addresses these root causes, and distinguish between a methodology and a framework Topics in this section include: • Typical Root Causes of Project Failure MSF identifies the typical root causes for project failure: separation of goal and function, separation of business and technology, lack of common language and process, failure to communicate and act as a team, and processes that are inflexible to change Note Root cause of failure is not a principle of the MSF The “Typical Root Causes of Project Failure” slide presents what the typical points of failure are for a project and leads into a group activity The topic following the activity discusses how MSF can help overcome the root causes of project failure • Solutions Provided by MSF MSF addresses the root causes of project failure by providing models, principles, and practices that ensure customer-focused projects, usercentric design, common language and terminology, defined team roles and responsibilities, milestone-driven project life cycles, and proactive risk management • Origins of MSF Identifies the sources for MSF models, principles, and practices, including product developers, IT groups, Microsoft customers, and partners worldwide These sources are analyzed for success factors, which are then integrated by MSF to guide technological decisions in a business context • Framework: Supplementing Methodologies The illustration for this topic compares a methodology to a map, showing the specific route to a known destination, whereas a framework is like a compass that helps guide you to your destination even if the route changes MSF is a framework • The MSF Curriculum This topic briefly outlines the MSF course curriculum The intention is to present the breadth of training available v vi Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework MSF and the Digital Nervous System This section provides a very high-level introduction to the digital nervous system, including the structure of the digital nervous system and the relationship of MSF to the digital nervous system At the end of this section, students will be able to explain why MSF is the foundation for building digital nervous system solutions Topics in this section include: • Overview of the Digital Nervous System This topic defines the concept of the digital nervous system and describes the digital nervous system solutions, including e-commerce, knowledge management, business operations, and infrastructure Introduce the concept of the digital nervous system and mention that understanding the concept is important to understanding the Microsoft approach to enterprise architecture (EA) Tell students that an EA with a digital nervous system advances the idea of competitive advantage and ability to react to unplanned events Some students may challenge the Microsoft point of view, but in fact the digital nervous system is the Microsoft idea of an EA future state Traditionally, most EA approaches focused only on basic IT operations and planned events The MSF approach to EA is unique in that it introduces the idea of competitive advantage and the readiness to react to unplanned events as important factors to consider when planning an EA • Relationship of MSF and the Digital Nervous System This topic explains how MSF is the foundation for assembling the resources, people, and techniques necessary to create digital nervous system solutions For additional information, read the following section, “Background on the Digital Nervous System.” Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework vii Background on the Digital Nervous System A digital nervous system needs to support basic business operations, organization responses to planned and unplanned events, and strategic planning for maintaining competitive advantage Goals of the Digital Nervous System The following are goals of the digital nervous system: Act faster and react to all events This means to exploit being connected in order to access or share information and collaborate in real time, regardless of geography Action works for both planned (act faster) and unplanned (react to anything) events Make more informed decisions This requires being able to find information The digital nervous system helps organizations use all available information to quickly provide the answers that they need Get closer to customers This means sharing data and extending networks to so Customers should be able to tell you what they want and not want in your products, and the digital nervous system should enable you to use that information to meet their needs Focus on business, not technology This means subordinating the development of technology infrastructure solutions to the needs of business goals and objectives Digital Nervous System Principles The following are principles of the digital nervous system: It is essential to design the digital nervous system to alert the organization to potentially risky situations so that officials can take corrective action The ability to perform business online makes the interface of your digital nervous system available to customers and partners The digital nervous system should be an integral part of the organization’s culture and business processes Sharing the digital nervous system with your customers and partners means that those in your organization often have access to digital nervous system information first Processes, therefore, must be clearly defined and in place for sharing and accessing the information If the digital nervous system enables those in the organization to get the information that they need when they need it, then with the right process in place, the decision-making capability can move to those who are closest to the situation, leading to faster decisions and a more efficient and responsive organization The principles of the digital nervous system are important because they represent an EA that depends on open lines of communication and connectivity in which everyone in the organization has the information to support business processes Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Overview Slide Objective To provide an overview of the module topics and objectives Lead-in In this module, you will learn about the fundamentals of Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) and the relationship between MSF and the digital nervous system Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework MSF and the Digital Nervous System At the end of this module, you will be able to: Describe Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) by explaining how MSF addresses the typical root causes of project failure, the origins of MSF, and how MSF differs from a methodology Explain why MSF is the foundation for building digital nervous system solutions Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework Slide Objective To introduce the topics presented in this section Lead-in The fundamentals of MSF include the following… Typical Root Causes of Project Failure Solutions Provided by MSF Origins of MSF Framework: Supplementing Methodologies The MSF Curriculum Key Point Emphasize that while other methodologies focus on process alone, MSF is unique in that the framework includes both people and processes MSF is a flexible, interrelated series of concepts, models, and best practices that lays the foundation for planning and building business solutions Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Activity A: Sharing Your IT Project Experience Slide Objective To introduce the activity Lead-in In this activity, you will share with the group your experience with IT projects that have failed and identify the root causes for the failure This activity is an instructor-led group discussion The purpose of this activity is to give you an opportunity to relate the root causes of project failure to your experience with Information Technology (IT) projects Instructions for Activity Be prepared to relate your experience to the group To structure your discussion, consider comparing (or contrasting) your IT project experience with the following: Typical root causes of project failure: • Separation of goal and function • Separation of business and technology • Lack of common language and process • Failure to communicate and act as a team • Processes that are inflexible to change Estimated time to complete this activity: 15 minutes Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Typical Root Causes of Project Failure Slide Objective To present the typical root causes of project failure Lead-in To understand how MSF increases the opportunity for success, it is necessary to know some of the sources of failure Separation of Goal and Function Separation of Business and Technology Lack of Common Language and Process Failure to Communicate and Act As a Team Processes That Are Inflexible to Change Technology is rarely the root cause of project failure Usually people, processes, and organizational constraints lead to project failure MSF identifies the following as some of the root causes of project failure: Delivery Tip Make it clear that these are only some of the causes identified by MSF, and that the list is not exhaustive Emphasize that technology is rarely the root cause of project failure This topic provides the basis for the following topic, “Solutions Provided by MSF.” Separation of goal and function You cannot understand a problem in terms of functionality alone; you must also understand the goal or purpose Functionality should exist to help achieve a particular goal or to solve a particular problem Often, functionality is created without understanding the goal that it serves Separation of business and technology When the business goals and technology goals of the organization are not in alignment, the technology goals cannot support the business needs of the enterprise Lack of common language and process To communicate effectively, people need a common language and common process When those are missing, confusion and unrealistic expectations result Failure to communicate and act as a team Moving people beyond individual effort and getting them to work effectively as a team is critical to the success of a project Processes that are inflexible to change The computer industry, and the application development industry in particular, is often a confusing environment, and teams must be able to adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers and users Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Solutions Provided by MSF Slide Objective To present some of the solutions provided by MSF that address the typical root causes of project failure Lead-in MSF provides solutions to address some of the typical root causes of project failure Customer-focused Projects User-centric Design Common Language and Terminology Defined Team Roles and Responsibilities Milestone-based Project Life Cycle Proactive Risk Management MSF provides solutions to address some of the typical root causes of project failure Customer-focused projects Project actions are determined by the goal of solving a particular business problem rather than for the sake of interesting technology This focus helps to align business and technology, because technology is only being used to support the needs of the business User-centric design This design focus means that the product design is based on how all of the different users need to use the system This focus aligns what the system does with what it needs to If a feature exists in the design, it is to support a use of the product Note In MSF terminology, the customer is the individual, group, or organization paying for the project The user is the individual, group, or organization that will use the system or the technology when the project is completed Common language and terminology MSF acts as a baseline for communication When teams are formed, each member has personal project experience and knowledge of different project methodologies MSF allows the team to share a simple baseline that each member on the team can agree to and use Defined team roles and responsibilities The MSF Team Model focuses each of its roles on a singular goal that must be accomplished for the project to be successful Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Milestone-based project life cycle The MSF Process Model provides enough rigor and discipline that the team can make the necessary progress, while also being flexible and iterative so that the team can adapt and make changes as the project proceeds Proactive risk management The MSF Risk Management Model allows the team to identify the potential causes of project failure and to take action to prevent or minimize the impact of the risk on the project Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Origins of MSF Slide Objective To present the sources of MSF best practices Lead-in MSF integrates best practices from Microsoft worldwide product groups, Microsoft consulting services, Microsoft IT, and Microsoft partners to provide reusable models that can guide technological decisions in a business context Microsoft Worldwide Products Groups Microsoft Consulting Services Microsoft Information Technology Microsoft Partners Concepts Models Best Practices Best Practices Best Practices Principles Microsoft Solutions Framework Microsoft Solutions Framework As a leading software developer, Microsoft collects best practices from its product developers, IT groups, customers, and partners worldwide and analyzes them for repeatable success factors These success factors are integrated into a suite of MSF concepts, models, principles, and practices that can guide technological decisions in a business context MSF recognizes that technology is not the only piece of a successful solution People, process, and best practices play a key role in a successful IT project Getting to a point where a team can align business requirements with technology solutions is critical for IT success and often the most difficult aspect to achieve By using MSF models, concepts, principles and practices, companies can: Speed up development and deployment cycles Lower the cost of owning technology Improve execution on planned events Improve reaction to unplanned events Create scalable and reliable technology solutions Improve core IT competencies Achieve short-term results while maintaining a long term planning strategy Manage project risks 8 Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Framework: Supplementing Methodologies Lead-in Plum Street To present MSF as a framework that supplements methodologies 1st Avenue MSF is not a methodology; it is a framework Orange Street Slide Objective 2nd Avenue 3rd Avenue N W E Smith River 4th Avenue S MSF Delivery Tip Make it clear to students that MSF can be used in conjunction with methodologies to provide a more prescriptive level of guidance For example, MSF does not tell you exactly how to gather requirements, but it tells you when it is the best time to gather requirements Key Points Provide examples of the types of guidance that MSF provides For example, teaming, communications, milestone-based process, and so on Referring to the illustration, a framework and a methodology are distinguished by using the example of a compass and a map Methodology A methodology, like a map, applies specific directions and a specific route to a known destination Framework A framework, like a compass, verifies progress and provides directional guidance when the direction or route changes MSF is a framework Its models, principles, and practices provide a guide for planning and building business solutions MSF serves as a useful tool for measuring progress against the original goals Underlying the MSF framework are key principles, including: Common language Skills planning and development Shared resources Distributed computing Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework The MSF Curriculum Slide Objective To present the MSF curriculum MSF Curriculum Lead-in Microsoft offers a complete breadth of training for MSF MSF is a suite of models, principles, and guides for building and deploying distributed enterprise systems Four MSF courses are either available or currently in development They are: Course 1515, Principles of Enterprise Architecture This course teaches the MSF Enterprise Architecture Model, the MSF Risk Management Model, the MSF Team Model as it is applied to EA, and the MSF Process Model as it is applied to EA This is a two-day course that shows how to combine four perspectives—business, application, information, and technology—into a cohesive EA plan that adapts to your needs over time Course 1516, Principles of Application Development This course teaches the MSF Risk Management Model, the MSF Team Model as it is applied to application development (AD) and the MSF Process Model as it is applied to AD This is a three-day course that teaches a project management framework for achieving success in enterprise development projects Course 1517, Principles of Infrastructure Deployment This course teaches the MSF Risk Management Model, the MSF Team Model as it is applied to infrastructure deployment (ID), and the MSF Process Model as it is applied to ID This is a three-day course that describes how to apply MSF principles and models to technology infrastructure deployment projects to drive successful deployment engagements Course 1518, Principles of Component Design This course teaches the MSF Design Process Model and the MSF Application Model This is a three-day course that defines the conceptual, logical, and physical planning necessary to produce useful, reusable components 10 Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework MSF and the Digital Nervous System Slide Objective To introduce the topics presented in this section Lead-in To understand the relationship between MSF and the digital nervous system, it is necessary to briefly discuss the concept of the digital nervous system Delivery Tip Do not get off topic by defining the digital nervous system on this page The following slide shows the structure of the digital nervous system, and the student workbook provides a more thorough definition of the digital nervous system, which you should use as the basis for your discussion Also, refer back to information included in the instructor notes for this topic Overview of Digital Nervous System Solutions Relationship of MFS and the Digital Nervous System The term digital nervous system refers to the state of an organization’s technical architecture MSF is the foundation for assembling the resources, people, and techniques necessary to create digital nervous system solutions Note You can get more information about the digital nervous system on the Digital Nervous System Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/dns Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework 11 Overview of Digital Nervous System Solutions Slide Objective To present the structure of the digital nervous system Business Solutions Lead-in Digital nervous system refers to the digital processes that are used by an organization to acquire insight into critical areas of business E-Commerce Knowledge Management Business Operations Infrastructure Key Points Emphasize that digital nervous system refers to an ideal use of technology in support of business Digital nervous system refers to the digital processes that link every aspect of an organization’s thoughts and actions—how an organization perceives and reacts to its environment, competitive challenges, and customer needs, and how an organization organizes timely responses Digital nervous systems are distinguished from a mere network of computers by the accuracy, immediacy, and richness of the information that they bring to knowledge workers and the insight and collaboration made possible by the information Presently, no organization has a perfect digital nervous system; rather, it is an ideal use of technology in support of business Digital Nervous System Solutions Digital nervous systems provide the following four solutions: E-Commerce This scenario enables organizations to build stronger relationships within themselves and with customers by using the Internet and intranet to contact customers directly, to perform corporate purchasing, and to increase the speed and accuracy of communications between businesses Knowledge Management This scenario enables your organization to create efficient, integrated systems that collect, manage, organize, collaborate, and disseminate information throughout your organization Business Operations This scenario enables your organization to develop customized operational systems to meet new and emerging business operation needs Businesses must react to marketplace changes with speed and flexibility, which puts pressure on the core processes of any business— planning, administration, manufacturing, and sales Infrastructure This scenario is the foundation of an effective digital nervous system It includes the hardware, network architecture, and operating systems upon which all other applications run Infrastructure also includes the tools used to create applications that are used in the other solutions 12 Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Relationship of MSF and the Digital Nervous System Slide Objective To show how the components of an EA, and thereby MSF, relate to the digital nervous system Enterprise Goals Enterprise Goals Digital Nervous System Digital Nervous System Embodies business goals of Embodies business goals of organization organization Lead-in Because digital nervous systems embody the business goals of an organization, the path to those goals is through the digital nervous system The EA selects the path, and MSF provides the solutions to accomplish this Potential Projects Potential Projects Provides the guidance to get there Enterprise Enterprise architecture architecture Selects the path Selects the path Delivery Tip Digital nervous systems become a reality by implementing Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications (WinDNA) projects, which are a result of the planning phase of the EA process Because digital nervous systems embody the business goals of an organization, the path to those goals is through digital nervous systems The EA determines the path, and MSF provides the solutions (models, principles, and practices) to accomplish the EA MSF solutions provide a well-defined framework for how to organize and roll out the computer hardware and network, how to make or buy applications, and how to operate the system on a daily basis Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework 13 Review Slide Objective To reinforce module objectives by reviewing key points Lead-in The review questions cover some of the key concepts taught in the module Delivery Tip In addition to the questions, evaluate whether the module objectives have been achieved If you determine that an objective has not been fulfilled, consider repeating the appropriate content before proceeding to the next module Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework MSF and the Digital Nervous System What are the root causes of project failure, and how does the MSF try to overcome them? Root causes of project failure may include separation of goal and function, separation of business and technology, lack of common language and process, failure to communicate and act as a team, and processes that are inflexible to change MSF models, principles, and practices provide the following solutions to the causes of project failure: customer-focused projects, user-centric design, common language and terminology, defined team roles and responsibilities, milestone-based project life cycles, and proactive risk management Where did the MSF originate? MSF originates from the collected best practices of Microsoft product developers, IT groups, customers, and partners worldwide The best practices are integrated into MSF models, principles, and practices 14 Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Why is the MSF considered a framework and not a methodology? MSF is considered a framework instead of a methodology because MSF models, principles, and practices provide flexible guidance for project success, not rigid directions What is a digital nervous system, and how does it relate to MSF? Digital nervous system refers to the digital processes that form an EA Because digital nervous systems embody the business goals of an organization, the path to those goals is through the digital nervous system The EA selects the path, and MSF provides the discipline to accomplish this  ... Stewart Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework iii Instructor Notes Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework Presentation: 30 Minutes Activity A: 15 Minutes This module. .. digital nervous system solutions Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Introduction to Microsoft Solutions Framework Slide Objective To introduce the topics presented in this... comparison to be used as a guideline for the discussion Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft® Solutions Framework Module Strategy Use the following strategy to present this module: Introduction to Microsoft