System Lifecycles and MSF

Last Updated May 28, 2023 by Tim Trott. First Published in 2010.

Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF) is a software development methodology developed by the world's most successful software company.

The framework provides guidance, practices and tools to increase the chances of delivering an information system. This knowledge has been gained within Microsoft while developing large-scale software projects and service operation projects.

Microsoft Solution Framework is a huge topic. This tutorial only provides a brief introduction to the topics involved.

There are eight fundamental principles upon which the framework is built upon.

Open Communication
Work towards a shared vision
Empower team members
Accountability and Responsibility
Focus on delivering business value
Expect change
Invest in Quality
Learn from experience

The framework consists of two models, the Team model and the Process model. The Team model describes the roles of team members in the development project and the Process model describes the stages of processing within the project.

Team Model

There are six roles within the team model; each one is a key quality goal. The roles within the team are:

Program Management
Development
Testing
Release Management
User Education
Product Management

Program Management

The responsibility of the Program Management team is to maintain the quality of the product by delivering within the constraints of the project. Program management owns and drives the schedule, the features and the budget. They are responsible for delivering the right product at the right time.

Development

To succeed in meeting the development quality goal, the team's role is to build a product that meets the specification, customer expectations and functional specifications. Functional specifications are written before any development takes place; therefore development roles must be innovative to the point where they meet the requirements NOT to implement interesting features.

Testing

The goal of testing is to make sure that all issues are known and addressed before the release of the product. Any issues unsolved will prevent the product from meeting its requirements.

Release Management

The role of logistics management is to provide product support, help desk and any other delivery channel in its focus to ensure smooth deployment and ongoing management.

User Education

This role is responsible for enhancing user performance so that users are as productive as possible with the product.

Product Management

The role of product management is to deliver customer satisfaction. It acts as the customer advocate to the team and the team advocate to the customer.

Process Model

The process model provides a framework that assists organisations in successfully implementing technology solutions that meet or exceed the predefined vision and business objectives.

There are five stages in the model: Envisioning, Planning, Developing, Stabilising and Deploying. There is also a milestone associated with each stage: Vision/Scope approved, Project Plan Approved, Scope Complete and Release Readiness and Deployment Complete. Each milestone is the responsibility of one or more team roles:

Vision/Scope Approved - Product Management
Project Plans Approved - Program Management
Scope Complete - Development and User Experience
Release Readiness Approved - Test and Release Management
Deployment Complete - Release Management

For any team to be successful, it must interact, communicate, and coordinate with other external entities. These range from customers and end users to other product development teams.

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