What kinds of projects could be managed using ESM PPM?
- Software implementation or development
- Infrastructure upgrades
- Business process improvement
- Conference or other live event planning
- Any work done by a group of people with identifiable tasks and start and end dates that require greater management abilities than tools such as Microsoft Planner
Can I customize my area of the Projects application?
Due to the global nature of the module and the goal for the service (see above) of keeping cost low, no customizations can be made for specific customer needs. Features in the tool need to remain relevant to any group of users in our community, regardless of their own business process and preferences.
How will I know when something is changing in the tool, such as a new version from the vendor?
All users of ESM PPM will have the option to join the ESM Project Management for UAA Team, which will receive monthly updates from IT Services about the service. These updates will include information about improvements and new releases from the vendor, along with tips and latest news from IT Services.
What does support look like for my unit? Is there someone on the staff that can answer general questions?
IT Services will provide technical support and guidance in using the tool; however, project management processes and expectations remain determined by and supported within the department itself. For example, IT Services will not be able to provide guidance on which project management methods or practices will work best for specific projects.
Any unit who adopts ESM for project management will need to identify a department PPM Lead who can provide department-specific support, which includes training and rules for your area, as well as project intake and the process for creating, monitoring, and closing projects.
How long will it take to get my unit moved into the tool?
The onboarding process can take as little as one month to complete from the time of the onboarding interview with the service team. ESM PPM features are easy to learn and do not require advanced technical skill. IT Services provides training sessions on ESM PPM. These along with KB articles are the main method for learning how to use ESM PPM. Department PPM Leads should attend them early in the adoption steps as they answer all of the basic questions about the features. Departments should have in place well-supported business processes and project management methodology to make a quicker and more efficient transition.
Do you support moving data from another tool into ESM?
IT Services is unable to migrate project data from another application into ESM and, therefore, recommends starting complex projects anew in the tool if at all possible in order to reduce burden and confusion from carryover. The tool provides limited importing capabilities.
How do I request feature enhancements or things I'd like to see the vendor add to the tool?
Please submit your ideas or feedback in a [ticket to the service team]. IT Services maintains a list of feature enhancements submitted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. Please review this list before submitting a new request.
What do I need to do to initiate adopting ESM PPM for my unit?
Contact the IT Services to express your unit’s interest in using ESM PPM. Ensure you have also engaged other departments in your unit and identified an appropriate department PPM Lead who can provide unit-specific support, which includes training and rules for your area, as well as a project intake process.