ExpertisePortal

ExpertisePortal is a unique tool that totally redefines and gives a new orientation to process definition. ExpertisePortal puts the focus on process users instead of limiting its attention to a few process experts. ExpertisePortal aims to provide staff with concrete support for their work by providing tools, templates, and guidelines.

Some of the features contributing to ExpertisePortal’s uniqueness:

• ExpertisePortal is a web based system that enables collaborators – similar to a wiki system – to jointly create, publish, review, and amend process descriptions and supporting material. In this way, good and useful practices are shared between practitioners and can be continuously improved.
• ExpertisePortal puts the priority on the clear presentation of the procedures and their contents rather than their modeling. The list of process definitions can be used as a basis for the planning process in the form of a work breakdown structure.
• Content in ExpertisePortal is organized to match the concrete planning and execution steps. Information is found easily with the help of numerous navigation aids.
• In ExpertisePortal diagrams are not an end in themselves, but serve as illustrations to enhance the process descriptions.

ExpertisePortal is a combination of a web based, collaborative content management system with a process asset library. It purposely targets process users, rather than process modelers.

ExpertisePortal makes it easier to maintain process definitions, descriptions and tools. Consistency between all elements – including work products, templates, activities, roles, and cycles – is constantly maintained. Changing the role of “Project manager”, for example, will mean that this change is accounted for in all places in the system where it is referred to. This enables the easy maintenance of process descriptions while ensuring their consistency and avoiding redundancies. The built in support for versioning and publication makes it possible to control the administration and releasing of changes throughout the whole organization.

On top of the points mentioned above, ExpertisePortal makes it possible to create cross references to standard process models and methodologies. For example you could classify your own processes according to the “V model” methodology. Should a customer ask your to use the V model for a project, then these mappings will allow you to classify your existing procedure and work products into the V model structure without any further effort. This approach can be used to create references to one or several quality modelsWhen performing an assessment, a list can be produced at the touch of a button, showing which steps, results and roles of your project belong to which testing criteria of the quality model selected for the audit.

All content in ExpertisePortal is organized in packets or modules. This makes it possible for you to replace complete modules or buy ready-made ones – a feature saving you much effort and money. wibas currently offers modules for CMMI and will provide further modules in the near future.

ExpertisePortals advantages at a glance

• Process descriptions are presented in a clear, user oriented view
• Work on process descriptions, tools, and templates can be performed collaboratively acrossthe organization – using wiki technology
• Process descriptions are modular and maintained consistently with no data redundancy
• References to other process models (e.g. to customer’s models of) can be easily created
• Adding cross references to standard quality models simplifies the auditing task
• Content is organized in modules which can be replaced or bought as ready-made packages
• Integrated workflow feature for versioning and publication
• Full text search and navigation history functionality enable speedy finding and access to information
• Very easy to use – for browsing and reading as well as for authoring