SPM: Starting a Demand
SPM: Starting a demand from Creative and innovative ideas can be best managed using Strategic Portfolio Management for aligning projects and initiatives with strategic objectives. At the heart of SPM lies the Demand Management process, a critical mechanism that transforms innovative ideas and business needs into actionable projects. Starting a demand is the first step in this transformative journey, providing a structured approach to capturing and evaluating requests for new projects, enhancements, and services.
Demand Management serves as the gateway for all work requests, ensuring that each demand is documented, assessed, and prioritized based on its potential impact and alignment with the company’s goals. Whether it’s a groundbreaking idea, a necessary system enhancement, or a new feature request, starting a demand enables organizations to systematically manage their resources, optimize workflows, and drive value creation. By providing a clear and organized way to initiate and track demands, SPM empowers decision-makers to make informed choices, allocate resources effectively, and achieve strategic success.
Introduction to SPM: Starting a demand
Demand Management is a vital part of Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) that helps organizations capture, assess, and prioritize various work requests, such as projects, enhancements, and operational tasks. As the SPM Process Owner, I want to provide a clear and concise reference for creating a demand. This guide explains who can initiate a demand, the multiple ways to start a demand, and the differences between standard and Pro license functionalities.
Who Can Create a Demand?
In the Demand Management process, multiple stakeholders can create demands. Typically, project managers, business analysts, department heads, and other authorized personnel have this capability. This inclusivity ensures that valuable ideas and requests from various parts of the organization are captured efficiently.
Ways to Initiate a Demand
There are several methods to initiate a demand, making the process flexible and user-friendly. Here’s a breakdown of the different ways:
Table for SPM Demand Initiation Process
| Method | Description | Typically Used By |
|---|---|---|
| Demand Portal | The primary method for submitting demands directly into the platform. Users enter all required information in a straightforward manner. | Project managers, business analysts, department heads |
| Idea Portal | Allows users to submit ideas, which can be converted into demands if they meet specific criteria, providing a seamless transition from concept to actionable work. | Employees, innovation teams |
| Enhancements | Requests for improvements to existing systems or processes. These can start as smaller-scale requests and be elevated to full demands if significant resources or approval are needed. | System administrators, process owners |
| Stories | In Agile environments, user stories or requirements originate within agile boards. These can be escalated to demands for broader visibility and prioritization if they involve significant work or cross-team coordination. | Agile teams, product owners |
| Service Catalog | Users initiate demands by selecting items from the service catalog and completing associated forms, making it easy to request new services or features. | All employees, service requesters |
The Process of SPM: Starting a Demand
Creating a demand is a structured process that ensures all incoming requests are properly documented, evaluated, and aligned with organizational objectives. Let’s walk through the steps to create a demand:
Step 1: Access the Demand Management Portal
First, log into the ServiceNow platform and navigate to the Demand Management module. This portal serves as the central hub for managing all demand-related activities.
Step 2: Initiate a New Demand
Next, click on the “Create New” button to start a new demand record. This action opens a form where you can input the necessary details about the demand.
Step 3: Fill in the Required Information
Then, provide all essential details, such as the demand title, description, business case, expected benefits, and any relevant attachments. This information is crucial for understanding the scope and impact of the demand.
Step 4: Submit the Demand
Finally, after ensuring all required fields are completed, submit the demand for review and approval. This step officially registers the demand in the system and triggers the evaluation process.
Standard License vs. Pro License: SPM: Starting a Demand
Now, let’s explore the differences in demand creation functionalities between the Standard and Pro License Types
| Function | Standard | Pro |
|---|
| Idea Management | – Basic submission and tracking of ideas – Limited categorization and prioritization – Manual conversion to demands | – Advanced idea categories and assessment criteria – Automated conversion to demands – Voting mechanisms – Enhanced reporting and analytics |
| Enhancements | – Basic submission and tracking of enhancement requests – Limited integration – Manual approval workflows | – Advanced categorization and prioritization – Integration with project and resource management – Automated workflows and approval processes |
| Stories | – Basic capture and management of user stories – Limited tracking and reporting | – Advanced story management – Integration with scaled agile frameworks (e.g., SAFe) – Enhanced reporting and analytics |
| Service Catalog | – Basic service catalog offerings – Limited customization of items and forms | – Advanced customization and workflows – Integration with other SPM modules – Enhanced reporting and analytics |
| Demand Management | – Core demand creation and management – Limited assessment and prioritization – Manual conversion processes | – Comprehensive demand management features – Custom assessment criteria and scoring models – Advanced prioritization and financial analysis – Integration with performance analytics |