Hi,

    Our current project process is very bulky and time consuming; I am working to consolidate this process and speeding it up.  I was hoping I could learn from other peoples on experience. I have an over view below of our current process.

    I am considering going to an agile process. Has any one done this yet? What kind of problems have you run into? What project management software do you use?

    I am considering going 100% digital for documentation, but having all signatures done on paper. The signatures on paper are only because then when we have a meeting they can sign off well we are going over the item. Is any one doing this currently?

    For the project in general, I would like to go down to 5 sections
        Project Request (this is how we get budget approved, this is very high level)
        Business Design (user requirements)
        Technical Design ( PLC info, Electrical Design, machine design, etc)
        Project plan
        Testing

    Any other advice or ideas would be very much appreciated.

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Back Ground:
        The system consist of 12 sections, ever section requires a sign off and meeting.  Some sections are basically repeats of the previous section but with added detail. Any time there is a change in the project (that rewires more then a hour worth of work) you need to fill out a form and have every one working on the project sign it.

    All this work done in a paper based system, there are digital copies but they are printed and signed.  This binder needs to be sent via inter company mail to our parent company for audit once a month. I have had binder disappear for months, when this happens I need to remake the binder (including resigning the pages).

 If your time line is off for any reasons you can not adjust your time line unless you can get a change request approved. So for example, if a piece of equipment is running late, yet our plc changes are done the project will be late and go on a problem project list.