The Project Management Institute, Becoming a Business-Focused PM Leader, Project
Management Institute, Inc., 2012.
Where it All Starts:
What is a Project?
“A Project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result”.-PMI It is usually progressively elaborated.
This is how it usually works:
Starting the project
Organizing and preparing
Carrying out the project work (With Monitoring and Controlling)
Closing the project
Why is a Project Plan Essential?
Planning is essential to save money, time, duplicate effort, and avoid or mitigate risks.
Also,Ensure You understand what the objectives of
the project are.
Identify who your project sponsor is and whether they are engaged and available.
What is a Project Plan?
The Project Plan is...Where all of the pieces of the puzzle come together!
What
Who
Why
WhenHow
What is Project Management?
The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements- The Project Management Body of Knowledge
The Triple Constraint
TimeCost
Scope
Quality
Enhanced Triple Constraint
Triple ConstraintAlso known as the IRON
TRIANGLE
Questions
Is the project chartered?
Who are the key stakeholders of my project?
What are the high-level risks?
Who will be the members of my team?
Essential Elements
Governance Structure: Points of Decision Making. Who calls the shots,
and on what?
Milestones
Dependencies
Risks
So now, what do I do?
Identify your stakeholders and their degree of interest and impact.
Collect their requirements.
Define your scope. Identify a list of things that need to be delivered to meet the defined goals. What needs to be done to have the project completed?
Stakeholders! Make sure they know you and your project!According to Dilbert,
Template:
Start with the Work Breakdown StructureThink in terms of work packages for deliverables
When you reach the action level, Identify a list of tasks that need to be carried out for each deliverable . E.g.: Paint the door
Identify the amount of effort needed (hours or days)
Identify the resources (Who?) (What?)
Schedule!
It needs to be done thoroughly, but it’s not written in stone.
Start with the deadline in mind.
Leave a buffer, especially for dependencies.
What if it doesn’t work?
Renegotiate the deadline (project delay)Employ additional resources (additional
money)Reduce the scope of the project (less
deliverables)Do not over commit. You will be held
responsible!
What do I include in the Project Plan?
1- Human Resources Plan:
Identify roles & responsibilities; -Who will do what?
Number of People
Keep a bird view on that.
Other Elements:
Communications Plan:
Who do I talk to and How?
The “How” includes frequency of communications.
Template
Careful!
Risk Plan: What are my risks?
Activity:
What are potential risks of an evening bake sale?
I know my risks. What do I do?
Avoid. You decide: “Nah…too risky”. Not with these constraints.
Mitigate. Find a way to lessen the impact
Transfer. Let someone else deal with it!
Accept?
Risk Template
What do I need to be aware of?
Keep close tabs on your baseline.
Communicate well with your stakeholders.
Change Management requests need to have a defined process and need to be documented. Don’t just make changes because you’re asked to! Think restraints.
Keep objective in mind. Why are we doing this project?
What makes a good PM?
Good Communication Skills: Listen, Listen, then Speak!
Leadership Skills
Integration Skills
Good Delegation Skills