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Writer's pictureRobert Edwards

Project Management Processes & Documentation


WHAT MAKES A PROJECT?

Specific Goal / Time Frame / Final Outcome or Result / Budget & Resources / Plan of Action / Evaluation.


This post will cover the following:




PROCESS FLOW FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT



INITIATING

This is the first phase, where:

  • Project is defined - Feasibility Study

  • Project authorized

  • Stakeholders' initial requirements are identified

  • Project objectives and high-level scope are determined

  • The project manager is assigned.

PLANNING

A detailed project plan is developed, defining:

  • Project Scope

  • The deliverables, features, tasks, and constraints

  • Objectives

  • Clear and specific goals that a project aims to achieve.

  • Deliverables

  • Specific outputs produced and delivered during a project's lifecycle

  • Milestones

  • Significant events or checkpoints that mark key stages of a project's progress

  • Resources

  • People, materials, equipment, and funds needed to accomplish project tasks and deliverables

  • Schedule

  • Timeline that outlines the planned start and end dates for project activities, tasks, and milestones

  • Risk assessment and management plans are created to anticipate and address potential issues.

  • Risk assessment and management plans refer to the process of identifying, analyzing, and addressing potential risks that may arise during a project.

  • These risks are events or situations that could have a negative impact on the project's objectives, timeline, budget, or quality.


EXECUTING

  • The project plan is put into action.

  • Tasks are assigned to team members, and project deliverables are produced. The project manager ensures effective communication, resource allocation, and adherence to the schedule.

  • Quality control processes are applied to maintain the desired level of quality

MONITORING and CONTROLLING

  • Throughout the project, performance and progress are monitored against the project plan.

  • Any variances are identified, and corrective actions are taken to keep the project on track.

  • Quality control processes are applied to maintain the desired level of quality.

CLOSING

  • Formally closing the project.

  • Deliverables are handed over to stakeholders, and project performance is evaluated against initial objectives.

  • Lessons learned are documented for future projects.


TIP: RE-USE an existing project management plan for future projects

DOCUMENTS


PROJECT PROPOSAL (Done at the beginning of project for stakeholders to approve))

  • The goal of this document is to convince the decision-makers and stakeholders that the idea behind the project is worth pursuing.

  • A project proposal needs to outline the project's core value proposition, which is often done in the form of a business case.

  • Includes:

    • Executive Summary

      • Objectives

      • Background

      • Feasibility Study


FEASIBILITY STUDY

  • Discovery

    • What are the needs of the project?

      • What is the budget?

      • What resources are going to be needed

      • What is the timeframe for starting the project?

  • Describe the project

  • Outline the potential solutions resulting from the project.

  • List the criteria for evaluating these solutions.

  • State which solution is most feasible for the project.

  • Make a conclusion statement.​​

PROJECT CHARTER (Done after Project Proposal is approved)

  • This document lays the foundation for the project by covering the high-level project planning.

  • Project Goal

  • Project Participants

  • Stakeholders

  • Requirements

  • Constraints

  • Implementation Milestones

  • Communication

  • Deliverables

  • Cost

TERMINOLOGY

Integration Management:

Focuses on coordinating various project elements and processes to ensure a cohesive approach to project management.



Scope Management:

Involves defining and controlling the project's scope to prevent scope creep and ensure that all requirements are met.


Time Management:

Addresses scheduling and timely completion of project tasks and milestones.


Cost Management:

Deals with budgeting, cost estimation, and control to manage project expenses effectively.


Quality Management:

Ensures that the project meets the specified quality standards and objectives.


Human Resource Management:

Involves managing project team members, their roles, responsibilities, and overall performance.

Communication Management:

Focuses on establishing efficient communication channels to ensure that information is shared effectively among project stakeholders.


Risk Management:

Involves identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential risks that may impact the project's success.


Procurement Management:

Addresses the acquisition of goods and services from external vendors or contractors to support the project.


Stakeholder Management:

Focuses on identifying and managing stakeholders' interests, expectations, and concerns throughout the project lifecycle.



Robert L. Edwards - EXAMPLE: Gantt Chart
EXAMPLE: Gantt Chart

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