Abstract: A method for deploying software in a computer system includes providing a deployment maintenance mechanism (DMM) which includes drivers for hardware. A deployment mechanism which includes an image with drivers for hardware and which identifies hardware associated with the computer, along with a native operating system, are also provided. For hardware detected by the deployment mechanism and not having an associated driver in the image, a driver from the DMM is copied into the deployment mechanism using the native operating system. The native operating system is then re-booted to deploy drivers for hardware associated with the computer.

Abstract: A dynamic checklist system and process are provided for managing projects, wherein each project has a checklist associated with it. The checklist is developed after determining the requirements of the project. Each checklist is divided into one or more milestones, and each milestone is provided with status checks. As each step is completed, the project is allowed to continue on to the next step having a further set of one or more milestones to be completed. Further progress on the project may be interrupted until all required steps in a given checklist are completed. The process can be used to generate periodic progress reports and management status reports based on the steps completed on each checklist. The reports may be used to pinpoint actual or potential problems relating to the project, or for audit reviews, trend analyses and personnel accountability.