9 Software & IT Business Papers

The following papers were authored by Declan in the past and published when he was Founder/CEO of Insight Test Services & Sogeti (Capgemini). Papers may be downloaded at this link http://simplifyurl.com/xfa .

10 Hot Software innovations to Impact Business & Organisations Today

Software QA & Testing - Building World Class Capability

How IT can assist in Economic Recovery

What can business management learn from Agile Development techniques

10 CSF's to extract value from IT suppliers

The influential Test Business Team

Non Functional Testing

User Acceptance Testing "How to make it work"

Structures for Test Organisations "To centralise or Decentralise"

The 10 Hot Software Innovations to Impact Business & Organisations Today

The economic crisis has left Ireland and many other countries in a state of confusion with a constant uncertainty as to what will happen next and what the best steps will be towards recovery. Even with this doubt businesses have been able to identify opportunities through software innovations.

This report highlights the importance innovation has on economic growth for Ireland in the context of an international competitive environment and how Ireland compares. It discusses in detail the benefits that innovation has on economies, businesses and organisations with a main focus on the Top 10 Software Innovations of today.

How IT can assist in economic recovery

Declan Kavanagh, CEO of Sogeti, discusses how IT can contribute to economic recovery.

He contends that we must now focus on how, as a small open economy, we can take advantage of the international recovery which will gather pace in 2010.

Software QA & Testing - Building World Class Capability

Introduction to Sogeti Software QA & Test Credentials

There are 140 Sogeti Ireland professionals, of which approximately 60% are in the Software QA & Testing Business Unit. The success of Sogeti Ireland and the Group's test business is underpinned by its ability to provide complete solutions and services relating to software testing across the full Software Procurement and Development Life Cycle (SPDLC). At Sogeti, our people are considered thought leaders globally. In fact, in an increasing number of countries, our TMap® and TPI® open methodologies are the recognised test standard.

Can business management learn from Agile development

Declan Kavanagh, CEO of Sogeti, discusses how business management can learn from the techniques used in Agile development. This paper discusses similarities between traditional software development approaches and established management practices. It goes on to outline how Agile software development is being used to address the shortcomings of established development methodologies.

Based on this premise, the paper explains how the tools and methods used in Agile can be applied to create a flexible management system that is more responsive to the challenging modern environment.

	Extracting Value from IT Suppliers: 10 Critical Success Factors The challenging business environment and market uncertainty are resulting in a sharp focus on cost reduction and value for money throughout all sectors, public and private. In this white paper, Declan Kavanagh puts forward ten areas of focus that will have the immediate effect of achieving better value from existing and new IT suppliers.
	The Influential Test Business Team (Best Paper winner Eurostar 2006) Declan Kavanagh, CEO of Sogeti, contends that running your test organisation like your own business and implementing best practice business principles will significantly improve the performance of test and increases the visibility of its contribution in the organisation. This paper provides some tools and techniques for test managers to take steps to develop an entrepreneurial approach.
	Non-Functional Testing Non-Functional, or technical, testing can be broken into a number of areas organised by requirements type e.g. performance, usability, security. Declan Kavanagh, CEO of Sogeti, presents a useful overview of non-functional or technical testing in all its various forms.

UAT: User Acceptance Testing and how to make it work

The development and deployment of new software solutions to the end business user often stumbles at the final hurdle. When it comes to UAT, having a well structured approach and an appropriate level of business user involvement is critical to any projects successful roll out.

In this paper, Declan Kavanagh and Ken Brennock outline what you can expect from UAT and how to implement it most effectively.

Structures for test organisations - To centralise or decentralise

One of the most frequent questions that senior Sogeti staff are asked is 'What is the best structure for software testing to ensure delivery success?' There are many flavours and hybrids to consider.

Declan Kavanagh, CEO at Sogeti, offers his opinions on structures for test organisations.

The top 10 tips for successful start-up's

OVERVIEW

Starting a new business is both exciting and risky. Over the past few years I have met with many entrepreneurs and reviewed many business plans. Tremendous talent and creativity exists in our society and technology is enabling innovation whether it be products, processes, or services. However the time to realize the value of the promoters’ investment is influenced by a huge amount of variables and these tips are designed to give some pointers to entrepreneurs considering a new venture or in the early stages of start up.

     Validate Market; you must prove that a market exists and define it, i.e. ID customers, groups, size and spend. Is it static? declining? or growing? It’s more attractive if  it’s growing because you are not trying to take a share from a competitor. A good business idea does not mean there is a market, and only in very rare circumstances are you creating a new market.

     Confirm Competition; if there is no competition it is likely there is no market. The biggest competitive threat for start up’s is the potential that a client will do nothing, because they do not see your value proposition.

     Define Business Model;   Have a clear and defined business model (How we make money!). Model it, identify revenue and cost drivers and convert to a P & L. Make sure you have a primary revenue stream, it confirms the business has a  focus.

     Carry out Feasibility;   before you invest significant, time and money, talk to the target customers and market, present your business and confirm the market exists and the proposed value proposition is accepted.

    Create a Team; rarely will the initial promoter (s) have all the skills required to launch a successful business, know the gaps and how you will fill the gaps even on a temporary or part time basis.

     Engage with Public Support Mechanisms:  There are many supports available, not just financial, but advisory, marketing and incubation programs, find the ones that suit your business and engage early with them. (EI, INI, BIC’s, Trade Associations – in Ireland).

     Prepare a 10 page business plan; any less and your analysis and detail are likely to be incomplete, much more and your focus is likely to be suboptimal. The business plan helps stakeholders understand the roadmap and milestones you (They) are committing to.

     Don’t boil the ocean; Focus on core business and core model. Define the minimum spec. for your product or service to enter the market and get selling quickly. Customer and market feedback will help refine the plan. You will confirm customer value as they will be parting  with money, and you get to market quickly (Be Agile)

    Adopt good business practice; as appropriate for scale and maturity of business apply good process, practice and governance. It really pays back,  helps control the business performance and demonstrates to stakeholders it’s in control (avoids exit transaction issues)

   Adapt & Respond Don’t be afraid to change the business as you learn in the Market & Terminate the business quickly if it is failing