BBC World Service Future Media
Scrum Support and Management of the Portfolio
BBC World Service Future Media department (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) is at the cutting edge of both international news and the rise of digital media.
The team have always delivered quality output within modest budgets, the pinnacle of which is “Topcat 2” (the in-house built multi-language, multi –script content management system).
Although the department worked hard and the commitment of individuals was plain to see, there was a sense that the resources available just weren’t stretching far enough. Meanwhile, the demand from the 32 BBC language services was increasing by the month as the demand for digital services rose across the world.
The development team had embraced Scrum as their chosen methodology. This had led to a sense of control and completion within the software development team. However, other areas of the department were less sure of the new process and weren’t convinced it could benefit them. In addition, they had been used to working in functional silos rather than project teams and the new role of the editorial team to provide “customers” was demanding and confusing for already over-stretched staff.
As a result, project deadlines came and went, business change was demanding and resource hungry and the environment could have been described as “controlled chaos”.
In October 2007 when Magic Milestones were engaged, there were two big important deadlines looming; the re-launch of Worldservice.com and the launch of Arabic TV online. The MM team assessed the landscape and provided services on three fronts:
- Consultancy around process to support the adoption of Scrum
- Consultancy support to the management team around project prioritisation and resourcing
- Hands on project management of the Worldservice.com re-launch and Arabic TV online
Worldservice.com launched in time for the 75th Anniversary of the World Service to great acclaim – later going on to win a highly coveted “webby award”. Meanwhile, Arabic TV also launched in time for the overall launch of the new TV channel.
Nowadays there is no stopping World Service Future Media. They now have a spotless track record of delivery and continue to provide quality award-winning output to their users.
Recently the MM team helped Future Media launch Persian TV Online, another ground-breaking service! Scrum is still the chosen method of software delivery and strategic prioritisation is a key process for the management team, driving World Service objectives through to delivery.
Case studies
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Learning and Skills Council (LSC) The Apprenticeship Vacancy
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Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) Programme and Project Support for the 14 – 19 Diploma Programme The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) is the new sector-owned body, formed from the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA). LSIS focuses on learners and on developing excellent and sustainable further education and skills provision across the sector. The 14-19 Leadership and Management Development Programme aims to help leaders and managers in the education sectors to successfully introduce the new Diploma qualifications. The 14-19 education reforms are highly significant, have a national and international profile and are at the leading edge of educational reform.
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Kantar Operations Global Portfolio Office Increasingly companies are finding that investment in strategic projects needs to be rigorously controlled and measured. The implementation of a global portfolio office for Kantar Opertaions was the result of 6 months consultancy and hands on implmentation. Magic Milestones assessed the current situation and capabilities, then kicked off the project to move Kantar Operations from a muliple project environment to a controlled portfolio environment. |
Downloads
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BBC World Service Case Study October 8, 2009 |
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Introduction to Magic Milestones September 29, 2009 |
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Agile and UCD white paper 2006 |
