Next Generation Project Management

BM investigates the impact of next generation project management on today's business.

“It was a low cost, quick, on-demand solution, resource allocation and capacity planning was more robust and it was cost-effective.”

In 2006, TV Guide Interactive was using MS Project for project scheduling purposes, which didn't cover their reporting needs. It didn't facilitate a streamlined way of managing resource requests or prioritizing schedules. "The problem we had with MS Project is that although we had scheduling capabilities, there wasn't a quick and easy way to pull reports or gain immediate insight into the progress of projects," explains Kris Reynolds, Director, Project Management. To manage resource requests, emails would be sent out or people would make phone calls and often times there were small projects that took less than 20 hours to complete. They decided to establish a formal PMO and after four months, realized that they needed a tool to help facilitate project schedules and streamline processes.

Solution

TV Guide Interactive considered Microsoft Project Server and other project management and collaboration vendors but Daptiv was chosen it was a low cost, quick, on-demand solution, resource allocation and capacity planning was more robust and it was cost-effective. "Other vendors are not easy to use and too expensive," says Reynolds. "Also, doing a 'home-grown' solution wasn't an option because IT didn't have the time to build a tool."

Daptiv Support is also a quick phone call or email away if TV Guide Interactive has any questions regarding product functionality. "Daptiv support has been good," says Reynolds. "Response turn-around time has also been good when we have any requests or need help." TV Guide Interactive has been active in sending emails for product suggestions on a regular basis in the past.

Daptiv created the Greenhouse, a new experience that makes users part of Daptiv's innovation and product development processes. The Greenhouse is featured on the Daptiv website and is where customers have the opportunity to collectively decide which new product features/enhancements are most important to them. Users submit product ideas, vote or comment on existing ideas and get insight into which ideas have been implemented into the product. The purpose of the Greenhouse is to create a simple and direct product feedback vehicle while also giving the community better insight into our product roadmap.

"I think that the Greenhouse is a good step forward. Before, it was difficult to know if our product suggestions were going to be implemented, but the Greenhouse really helps with this, we can see if our suggestions are a high priority among other customers and which ideas are being put into production."

Visibility

TV Guide Interactive's product management group often submits a product feature deployment request, for example, 'We'd like a feature trial by Q3'. Included with this initial request is the project scope for the other groups within the company to review and work on. The request is then pushed through the funnel and when company reviews take place, management is able to review the project requests and prioritize them based on the capacity of needed resources and the alignment of current company strategy. In that regard, product management is able to have their voice heard and ensure that the right projects are getting funded, worked and reported on.

Prioritization

TV Guide Interactive's project management office uses Daptiv Advanced Report builder for regular reporting purposes, specific to project requests and the progress of active projects. "The project managers are very pleased with Advanced Report Builder," says Reynolds. "It has become the backbone of communicating progress with management."

Value

Macrovision purchased TV Guide toward the end of 2007 and at that time, Macrovision's project management group didn't have collaborative business software such as Daptiv PPM to manage projects. Kris Reynolds and other groups within TV Guide are advocating the use Daptiv PPM throughout the Macrovision divisions. "Already, Macrovision's data solutions group is on board and they want to implement Daptiv PPM because they've seen how simple, robust and cost effective it is. I'm pushing to have Daptiv PPM chosen as the single solution for the entire company. The Daptiv solution has proven itself to us," says Reynolds.

TV Guide Interactive is responsible for the Interactive Program Guide or IPG application that is accessed when clicking on the guide button for digital cable remotes.