Hermes (project management method)

Hermes (proper notation: HERMES . This acronym stands for: H anual the E lektronischen R echenzentren of the Federal, a M ethod for E evelopment of S ging systems) is an open standard for guiding and handling of IT projects.

history

As a project management tool , it is since 1975 in the federal administration of Switzerland in action. After a major revision in 1986, HERMES became binding for all federal IT projects. Today (as of 2016) many cantonal offices and larger cities also work with HERMES.

On April 26th 2006 the project "Quapital" (QUAlité des Projets d'Implémentation des Technologies de l'information et de la communication dans l'Administration Luxembourgeoise) was presented to the government of Luxembourg . The aim of the Quapital Tools sub-area is to obtain consistent data on all levels (project, program and portfolio). The tool chosen is Planview and is implemented and managed by the project management office. This tool is completely based on Quapital-Hermes.

Current status

Hermes is currently being looked after by the federal IT management body. Version 5 of the method has been available for download since April 22, 2013.

The current version is 5.1, which enhances the methodology for agile development, e.g. B. supplemented with Scrum . From 2015, all federal agencies are obliged to adapt and use the HERMES method for their projects (including non-IT projects).

aims

Good quality of the products and (information) systems developed
Improved communication between specialist departments / users, developers and operators
Minor project risks
Reduced development effort
High transparency in the specification of project work

Scenarios

Projects in which HERMES is used can differ in terms of their content and complexity. For this reason, HERMES offers different scenarios. A scenario is geared towards the implementation of projects with the specific characteristics. The scenario covers the entire life cycle of the project and includes the method elements that are important for the project.

Scenarios consist of modules that group thematically related tasks and results. HERMES offers the following eight standard scenarios:

Service / product
Individual IT application
IT standard application
IT application further development
IT infrastructure
Organizational adjustment
Service / product agile
Individual IT application agile

Module \ scenario	Service / product	Individual IT application	IT standard application	IT application further development	IT infrastructure	Organizational adjustment	Service / product agile	Individual IT application agile
Project management	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Project management	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Agile development							X	X
Project fundamentals	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Business organization	X	X	X	X		X	X	X
product	X						X
IT system		X	X	X				X
procurement		X	X					X
Introductory organization	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Testing		X	X	X	X		X	X
IT migration		X	X		X			X
IT operations		X	X	X	X			X
Information security and data protection		X	X					X

Individual scenarios

Scenarios can be adapted or created individually. There are four basic ways to do this:

Remove modules from an existing scenario.
Remove tasks and results from an existing scenario.
Integrate an additional module into a scenario.
Integrate tasks and results into a scenario.

rating

Strengthen

The following strengths are ascribed to the HERMES method:

Documents and templates are available online free of charge.
Expandable with further specialist processes in addition to the IT specialist processes.
In addition to the traditional one, it also includes an agile process model for project management.
Bring pre-structured result templates.

weaknesses

The following weaknesses are ascribed to the HERMES method:

Much more preparatory work when using non-IT products.
HERMES describes a method but does not provide any tools.

Training and certification

Training courses can be attended at various seminar providers. HERMES has two certifications for people.

Foundation level

The Foundation Level is a basic knowledge test on the HERMES project management methodology. The exam lasts one hour and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. The subject areas include the HERMES basics, application area and structure of the standard scenario, modules of the standard scenario and project organization (roles) of the standard scenario. Project employees, junior project managers, decision-makers, clients and project controllers are named as the target group for certification.

Advanced level

The Advanced Level is an advanced knowledge test on the HERMES project management methodology. The exam consists of two parts. Both parts take 60 minutes each (valid for exams based on learning objectives / reference manual / format 2019). The first part consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and the second of 15 multiple-choice questions with a practical situation. The subject areas include the HERMES basics, modules IT system, IT operation and IT migration of the standard scenarios, modules project fundamentals and project management of the standard scenario and the module project control. Project managers, project managers and sub-project managers are named as the target group for certification.

Advanced Level (Recertification)

Recertification takes place at the request of the participant before the end of the certification period, usually no earlier than one year before the certificate expires.

In order to carry out a recertification, the following requirements must be met by the participants:

Proof of event participation on the subject of project management and / or HERMES and
Proof of further training units on the subject of project management and / or HERMES (at least 8 teaching units of 45 minutes each) and
Professional experience: A role of leadership, control, execution or knowledge transfer according to HERMES within the certification phase (a description with confirmation from the employer / client).

Web links

Training and certification
HERMES - The Swiss project management method
Manual Hermes 5 , (pdf, 2.7 MB)

Individual evidence

^ Report of the Business Audit Commission of the Council of States from November 19, 1998, establishment of online connections in the area of the police . parlament.ch, accessed on 23 August 2015 .
^ Claude Wiseler présente le program Quapital (Qualité des projets d'implémentation des technologies de l'information et de la communication dans l'administration luxembourgeoise). April 25, 2006, accessed April 30, 2020 (French).
↑ Trailer for Version 5. Accessed on May 7, 2014 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c scenarios. Retrieved July 22, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Peter Duwe: HERMES 5 - the Swiss project management method . Ed .: Projekt Magazin. Special edition - edition 19/2015, p. 7–8 ( csp-ag.ch [PDF]).
↑ HERMES Foundation. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .
↑ HERMES Advanced. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .
↑ HERMES Advanced Recertification. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .

[1] Report of the Business Audit Commission of the Council of States from November 19, 1998, establishment of online connections in the area of the police . parlament.ch, accessed on 23 August 2015 .

[2] Claude Wiseler présente le program Quapital (Qualité des projets d'implémentation des technologies de l'information et de la communication dans l'administration luxembourgeoise). April 25, 2006, accessed April 30, 2020 (French).

[3] Trailer for Version 5. Accessed on May 7, 2014 .

[:1-4] scenarios. Retrieved July 22, 2020 .

[:0-5] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Peter Duwe: HERMES 5 - the Swiss project management method . Ed .: Projekt Magazin. Special edition - edition 19/2015, p. 7–8 ( csp-ag.ch [PDF]).

[6] HERMES Foundation. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .

[7] HERMES Advanced. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .

[8] HERMES Advanced Recertification. Retrieved January 6, 2020 .