Explain like I'm five · SW Eng

What is ISP/ISMP?

ISP (information strategy planning) and ISMP (information system master plan), told as a story about mapping out what a publishing house will put out ahead of time.

the editor starts books on whatever's at handnobody knows what should come out first

The editor starts books on whatever's at hand.Nobody knows what should come out first.

that genre is hot, let's do that first!chasing trends alone loses the house's own identity

Chasing only bestsellers loses the house's overall direction.Chasing trends alone loses the house's own identity.

PUBLISHING ROADMAPyear 1 — picture-book seriesyear 2 — YA novelsyear 3 — translated editionsISP = drawing the big picture of what to publish, and in what orderISP/ISMP comes before audit (checks during the project) — it's the plan itself

ISP draws the big picture of what to publish and in what order; ISMP details how to build one series.ISP/ISMP comes before audit — it's the plan itself.

Draw the big picture firstyears of publishing direction ahead
Study the readershipwho we're selling to
Watch rival houseswhat others are publishing
Set the orderlining up what comes first
WHAT GOES IN THE ROADMAPreaders — who are we selling to?rivals — what are other houses publishing?capability — what can our writers actually do?priority — what comes first?ISP covers the whole house; ISMP details how to build one specific series

The roadmap is drawn by looking at four things: readers, rivals, capability, and priority.ISP covers the whole house; ISMP details how to build one specific series.

the roadmap decides which book comes out whenbut the writer still has to write itISP/ISMP is the map that sets direction, not the manuscript itself

The roadmap doesn't write the book for you.The roadmap is a map that sets direction, not the manuscript itself.

In one breath

ISP = a big-picture roadmap drawn ahead of time, deciding what to publish and in what order. ISMP = a plan drawn ahead of time, detailing how to build one series.

ISP (Information Strategy Planning) sets an organization's information direction and priorities in line with its business strategy, while ISMP (Information System Master Plan) targets one specific system and pins down the functions and requirements it needs. ISP works at the whole-organization level and ISMP at the level of one system, and both come before the build project begins.

When grown-ups say it

ISP
Setting the direction for the whole house. Lines up IT priorities with business strategy.
ISMP
A detailed plan for building one specific series. It can follow ISP, or stand alone depending on the organization.
IS Audit/PMO
The checker who watches the whole publishing run. Audit comes after ISP/ISMP, once the build project is running. A PMO can start as early as the planning stage. →the checker who watches the whole publishing run
Requirements Engineering
Taking down one book's own outline precisely. Happens for a single book, after the roadmap is set.
BPR
Overhauling the publishing process itself. Often discussed alongside ISP at the organizational level.
Architecture Principles
The shared style guide every book must follow. A rule to follow while carrying out the roadmap.
Resource Allocation
Deciding which writer goes on which book. Gets more specific as the plan gets more detailed.
Feasibility Study
Checking in advance whether the book can really be made. Weighed while the roadmap is being drawn.
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