Adam Rosales
ISDS 3100
Phase 3
Question 5 for Chapter 5: Initiating and Planning Systems Development Projects
(a) How does your company initiate information systems projects?

Chevron’s Information Systems (IS) teams is a key enabler in the delivery of
innovative and reliable applications, information, and systems. Chevron initiates
information system projects by a process of choosing most efficient information
and then coming together to verify its usefulness. Chevron invests in the
development of emerging energy technologies, such as finding better ways to
make nonfood-based biofuels, piloting advanced solar technology for their
operations and expanding their renewable energy resources. So, they must use
information systems that are best suited to this criteria.
(b) Who is responsible for initiating projects? Is this process formal or informal?

Chevron has specialized teams that are formed in order to initiate certain types
of projects. To be a part of this team, workers must: have at least 15 years of
experience or more, have a college degree, work well with others, know how to
lead a team of experts to solve a problem, ect. It is definitely a formal process
because it has a specific design to obtain the best resources possible for
maximum efficiency when dealing with any project. With the help of the
Operational Excellence System, workers are able to initiate many types of
projects.
(c) How could this process be improved?

This process could be improved in many ways in my own opinion. I feel like
limiting workers to a minimum of 15 years to even qualify for that position is a
waste. Everyday brilliant new minds emerge in our world and they should have a
fair chance at their age to bring in some new ideas for obtaining information
systems and initiating projects. Experience is definitely important in the field of
oil and gas but you should never undermine the intelligence of young individuals.
(d) What companies have the best practices in your industry? What are the best
practices?

Companies such as Exxon Mobil and Shell have better practices in this industry
because they have been able to initiate way more projects than Chevron based
on their success. However, over the last 10 years, Chevron has risen profits by
10 percent because of increased information systems.
(e) How do you help your company to achieve the best practices?

I supposed what I could do is help Chevron executives see other potential
advances in project initiation.
Question 6 for Chapter 6: Determining System Requirements
(a) Does your company use agile techniques for requirements determination? What
techniques do they use?

For the Chevron team, there are user requirements, leader iterative redesign
processes (similar to Agile), planned projects, established priorities and
monitored progress. Mentor IT teams ensure adoption, knowledge transfer,
capability, and quality execution of projects and IT Services. They use
sophisticated and adequate information to reach requirements of determination.
(b) How did they discover them? What did they use before?

They discovered them through intensive research and experience. Establishing
connections is vital when adopting redesign processes for Chevron. IT teams
used a more conserved system before realizing how important connection
services were. Their agile techniques today include establishing and distributing
information through support groups.
(c) What’s their evaluation of the agile techniques they use?

Chevron’s evaluation of agile techniques that they use is efficient yet
problematic. It is efficient because it has proven to have the most capabilities
when working with OPES and Chevron’s workers. Workers are able to obtain
more training and recognition through principle requirements determination.
(d) What companies have the best practices in your industry? What are the best
practices?

Companies such as Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP, and Sinopec have the best
practices in this industry. The best practices include a more diverse IT system
and wide connection based support group. Based on company’s revenues,
Exxon mobile is the top oil and gas company.
(e) How do you help your company to achieve the best practices?

I suppose I could help by participating in Chevron’s agile techniques. Helping
find better and more efficient ways to be successful and safe is a top priority.