Project Manage – The Easy Way
Project Manage – The Easy Way
It doesn’t matter what the project is. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, the fundamentals are always the same. Follow these simple steps for project success – Every Time. Remember that discipline is crucial as is the need to follow the plan in order to Project Manage – The Easy Way.
Overview
- Depending on the complexity of the project create a Gantt Chart, or Action List or similar Tracking tool with “milestones” or critical dates
- Documentation is essential – use the Bullet Point format wherever possible
- Clearly describe what the end result will be
- If possible use General Assembly or “Finished” drawings or similar to show the completed project
- Create an approval document specifying the end result and/or any other key features
- Get sign off from all key stakeholders – make sure that they all clearly understand what they are going to get
- Clearly specify that there will be no “Scope Creep” – what you see is what you get
- Understand and document the starting point – the “where we are now” part
- Document how the Project will run and be managed
- Document the Scope of Work
- Detail all of the steps
- Ensure there are clear measures and milestones
- Delegate and agree responsibilities – who is going to do what
- Set up a Capital Tracking Spreadsheet and an owner
- Set up a reporting format and schedule
- Set up a meeting format and resultant action system
- The project must Measure and Report against the milestones
- Ensure that all of the Design and Details are firm and agreed to by all parties – Before Starting the Work
- Set up a disaster/contingency plan – Before Starting the Work
- Is this a new project ? Is there previous experience to draw on
- If there is previous experience – reflect on it – if it’s not used – nothing is lost – but it may be valuable and there is no value in reinventing the wheel
- Review the project – can the following questions be confidently answered
- Is the starting point clear ? –
- What will the completed project look like ?
- Have all key stakeholders signed off ?
- Has the work been planned in enough detail to successfully complete the project ?
- Has a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) been created
- If the answers are in the affirmative – the start button can be pressed with confidence
- All Systems are “Go”
Not Only – But Also …..
When there is a need to take a deep breath and take a break
- Open List Of Pages – Engineering Nostalgia for pages of Old Engineer Memories from Engineering practice in the 1960’s/70’s/80’s – with a bit of armed forces and medieval trivia thrown in
- Regardless of your current status – always ask the question – Is there a Better Way and
visit the 3R web page for an overview of the 3R Philosophy Review – Refresh – Reset - Whenever possible – always follow the KISS Principle
- Challenge yourself and your colleagues with an Engineering Quiz
- Check out Engineering Odd Bits for odd subject matter – including humor and comment
Engineer & Communicate – Engineering Trivia Quiz – Engineering Nostalgia – Engineering Odd Bits