SEPG and the

Consulting Process

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 1
 Module Objectives

aDiscuss the SEPG as “Internal” Consultants

aReview the skill set needed by SEPG members
aReview the Six (6) Step Consulting Model
proposed for internal consultants

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 2
1 Commitment 2 Appraisal
Form Guidance
Gather Present for
and Synthesize
Sponsorship Process Findings Action
Train Findings
Data & Recs Planning
Team

Visioning Define & Staff

Improvement
Infrastructure
Identification
of Initial Staff Process
Process
Improvement
Improvement Train Improvement
Expectation
Setting
Model:
Model: Detail
Detail
Staff

Plan Improvement
Investigation Process
and Training
3 Infrastructure
Assist in
Institutionalize Refine new Pilot new Define new
adoption of
new processes processes processes processes
new processes
ISPI 4 Implementation
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 3
 The SEPG as a Group of
Consultants

a“You are consulting anytime you are trying to

change or improve a situation but have no
direct control over the implementation. If you
have direct control, you are managing, not
consulting.”
aIf you do all the work, you are under someone
else’s control.
aConsulting is about having leverage and
impact when we don’t have direct control.
aThe SEPG consults as facilitator and
collaborator.
ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 4
 Skill Sets Needed by Consultants

aTechnical Expertise
aInterpersonal Skills
aConsulting Process

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 5
 Consultant Skills - Technical
Expertise

aSoftware management is not the same

as software Process management.
aUseful areas of technical expertise for
SEPG members:
`Process definition and modeling
`SQA, SCM, TQM, methodologies, application
domains
`Organizational behavior, systems theory

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 6
 Consultant Skills -
Interpersonal Skills

Effective listening Facilitation

Team building Meeting

management

Group process
Conflict management

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 7
 The 6-Step Consulting Model
Feedback
Feedback&&
Data
Data Decision
Decisionto
to
Collection
Collection&& Act
Act
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Planning
Planning&&
Implementation
Implementation
Contracting
Contracting

Entry
Entry&& Evaluation,
Evaluation,
Relationship
Relationship Extension,
Extension,
Building
Building Recycle,
Recycle,or
or
Termination
Termination
Source: adapted from P. Block, Flawless Consulting, and Participant's Guide,
SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 8
 Entry & Sensing

aPurpose: Build the foundation for an authentic

working relationship
Establish a trusting relationship
Learn what must be done to get a contract in
place
aProcess: Initial meetings between client and
consultant
Understand and sense the client’s
expectations
Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 9
 Entry & Sensing - 2

aOutcome: Decision of whether you and the

client are going to proceed and how you will
do so

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 10
 Contracting

aPurpose: Gain explicit agreement of what we

expect of each other
Gain explicit agreement on how we are
going to work together
aProcess: Meetings with clients, including
stakeholders, and consultant
Make clear that you need the client’s
continuing support and what you can offer
as the consultant

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 11
 Contracting - 2

aOutcome: An explicit contract in which you

agree on the project objectives/outcomes,
expectations of each other, project plan or
process, membership and roles,
milestones, and completion dates

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 12
 Data Collection

aPurpose: To bring together existing relevant

data that will define the client’s problems
clearly, energize the making of appropriate
decisions
aProcess: Data gathering and analysis
aOutcome: Data are collected to enable the
client and key stakeholders to make
informed decisions about process
improvement strategies.

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

ISPI
© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 13
 Feedback & Decision to Act

aPurpose: To present a summary of the

gathered information in a way which tells
the story as you have seen and heard it
To create enough energy within clients to
stimulate useful problem solving and
specific next steps
aProcess: Presentation and decision making
meeting(s) with all those who provided
data

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 14
 Feedback & Decision to Act - 2

aOutcome: Decisions that shape specific

intervention strategies are made by the client
and consultant.

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 15
 Planning & Implementation

aPurpose: To gain agreement, commitment,

and collaboration on the action plan
To build the project planning and
monitoring structure to maintain
constancy of purpose
aProcess: Planning sessions with the client, key
project members, key stakeholders, etc.
Education, training, and feedback sessions
with all those involved

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 16
 Planning & Implementation - 2

aOutcome: Resources are secured and

organizational support, participation, and
commitment to proceed are maintained.
Tasks identified in the implementation plan
are conducted and completed.

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 17
 Evaluation, Extension,
Recycle,Termination

`Purpose: To gather feedback and

evaluation of the consultant's behavior and
the project's outcomes
To end or revise the client-consultant
relationship
`Process: Feedback and evaluation
meetings for the project and the consultant
Termination or contract revision meeting
between client/consultant

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 18
 Evaluation, Extension,
Recycle,Termination - 2

`Outcome: For consultant, clear and concise

feedback from the client's perspective on
his/her effectiveness and/or contribution
For the organization, lessons learned for
future cycles of process improvement

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class
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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 19
 Consulting Roles Are a
Continuum

Responsibility

Client Consultant

Observer Collaborator Expert

Consultant Role

Source: adapted from Participant's Guide, SEI Collaborative Consulting Skills class

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© 1998 Institute for Software Process Improvement – A Company Version 3.0 SEPG Consult - 20