Did anything change from an on-the-ground software development/project management perspective? Certainly reporting requirements would increase at the highest levels, and some of that would trickle down to imply more structure at all levels of the organization. But does Vista bring specific directives on how to manage low-level teams and add increased structure to the development process? I imagine that many software companies are successful in spite of their PM practices, not due to them, so I wonder if Vista injects specific culture there.
Most of the project management staff has been replaced, with various open positions remaining. Other than executive level hires, they've stayed hands off of engineering. There are high level directives to reduce overhead costs and leverage some third party tech, but nothing in regards to development practices. They bring in a good CTO and let him set the culture. Vista's culture is all about recording the metrics.
