Systems and Tools As noted previously, organisations purchase and create systems and tools to automate and support their project management processes. But oftentimes, a great deal of money is spent on systems that are subsequently not used. The key findings in this area consider the following: the use and benefits of leveraging software (project management, portfolio management, and Agile); and the benefits and use of earned value management. Key Finding: The use of commercially available PfM software drives higher levels of portfolio performance and greater Figure 25: Types of PfM Software in Use satisfaction with an organisation’s project management practices. Commercial off-the Shelf packaged software has grown in sophistication since the last survey and in this edition we asked about PfM software adoption for the first time. 56% percent of respondents who reported using PfM also reported using software, with 21% using Commercial off-the Shelf packages, 19% using Commercial off-the Shelf packages with customization, and 17% reporting use of internally developed software. The majority of the increase in performance and satisfaction is obtained by deploying specialized PfM software. Customization of Commercial off-the Shelf packages actually led to slightly lower levels of performance and satisfaction. Internal development of tailored applications offered mixed results with portfolios at the smaller end of the scale seeing improvements in performance but less consistent gains for mid to large scale portfolios. Key Finding: The Scrum process is the predominant Agile Project Management methodology in use. Most organisations which are using an Agile Project Management methodology employ the Scrum process, as shown in Figure 28, and the second most common is Lean and Test-driven Development (TDD). Data indicates that Scrum practices are the most well-known and/or most frequently used Agile PM methodology. Figure 26: Projects Using Agile Tools/Processes Insights and trends: Current Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Practices 29