Processes, we don't need no stinkin processes!

Yes you do.

I agree that sometimes full PMP or SDLC processes can cause unnecessary project costs and delays, but deploying a light version of processes for project management, development and operations, can save you bundles of time and money, lower staff attrition and stop clients who abandon you out of frustration.

I have seen large and small companies go for years with minimal processes and only when clients start walking away and their best staff leave, do they decide to change their operational processes. Here are some general questions to ask yourself, kind of a litmus test to see if you are in need of some processes management.

1) Your IT projects are always over budget
2) Your IT projects always miss deadlines (by weeks or months)
3) You're unsure of the corporate business goals
4) No communication protocols
5) No disaster recover plan
6) Your technology framework is 3+ years old
7) Leadership, and roles and responsibilities are vague
8) Your clients are delaying projects or have moved on
9) Your projects start with the best intentions, full of energy, but fissile out and languish
10) Your project documentation is all on paper napkins
11) Your best staff are leaving or appear distracted
12) You really have no idea how many projects are on the go and what their status is

What to do? You have to stop the downward cycle of project destruction by first recognizing the problem, and then deploying light PMP and development processes (SDLC). Try the following:

1) Develop a Red Flag report, listing all the known problems within your development group
2) Develop a plan to fix the critical problems first, one per month
3) Ensure all projects have a BRD before you start them
4) The BRD should include analysis and confirmation that the project follows the corporate business vision
5) Review your technology framework and update if necessary
6) Assign roles and responsibilities to the team
7) Establish clear leadership roles (take responsibility)
8) Deploy light PM processes
9) Deploy light SDLC (software development life cycle) processes
10) Seek guidance from other IT professionals and peers

Here are some good reference links on processes:
1) http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/emf-cag/project-projet/projects-projets/overview-vue-eng.asp
2) http://www.pmi.org
3) http://www.mpmm.com
4) http://www.method123.com/project-management-kit.php
5) http://www.tenstep.com

Here are some good sources on software development processes:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_process
2) http://www.december.com/web/develop/processes.html
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Rational_Unified_Process (this is a very comprehensive study on development processes and I highly recommend reviewing this link)
4) To review Agile, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development
5) To review Iterative development, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iterative_and_incremental_development