Establish and maintain the project’s work environment based on the organization’s work environment standards.

An appropriate work environment for a project comprises an infrastructure of facilities, tools, and equipment that people need to perform their jobs effectively in support of business and project objectives. The work environment and its components are maintained at a level of performance and reliability indicated by organizational work environment standards. As required, the project’s work environment or some of its components can be developed internally or acquired from external sources.

The supplier’s work environment should be compatible with the acquirer’s work environment to enable efficient and effective transfer of work products.

The work environment might encompass environments for both verification and validation or these might be separate environments.

Refer to the Establish Work Environment Standards specific practice in the Organizational Process Definition process area for more information about work environment standards.

Typical Work Products

1.    Equipment and tools for the project

2.    Installation, operation, and maintenance manuals for the project work environment

3.    User surveys and results

4.    Usage, performance, and maintenance records

5.    Support services for the project’s work environment

Subpractices

1.    Plan, design, and install a work environment for the project.

The critical aspects of the project work environment are, like any other product, requirements driven. Work environment functionality and operations are explored with the same rigor as is done for any other product development.

2.    Provide ongoing maintenance and operational support for the project’s work environment.

Maintenance and support of the work environment can be accomplished either with capabilities found inside the organization or hired from outside the organization.

3.    Maintain the qualification of components of the project’s work environment.

Components include software, databases, hardware, tools, test equipment, and appropriate documentation. Qualification of software includes appropriate certifications. Hardware and test equipment qualification includes calibration and adjustment records and traceability to calibration standards.

4.    Periodically review how well the work environment is meeting project needs and supporting collaboration, and take action, as appropriate.