The Project Group, LLC

The Project Group, LLC Newsletter

  Advancing Project Management

August 2002  

 

in this issue

 


The Nuts & Bolts of Project Management

We specialize in assisting corporate and government clients in learning to improve their productivity while planning and executing projects.

Our three-phase approach yields faster more efficient project initiation, planning and execution results.

We also offer a one-day class on Microsoft Project 2000TM for users wanting to improve their productivity in using the software.

We offer this free newsletter that is distributed monthly via email. To subscribe, click on the link below.

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Greetings,

This newsletter focuses on Process 1: Strategic Alignment of projects with the higher level organizational objectives.

Each month our newsletter will delve into a specific step in the phases of Initiation, Planning and Execution of projects. Our methodology is applicable to any project in any industry.

 

 

 

 

·  Is Your Project Aligned With Organizational Goals?

  

Projects aligned with departmental & corporate objectives have a greater chance of success.

Projects aligned with strategic objectives

·  Support strategic growth & changes

·  Motivate others directly & indirectly connected with the project

·  Have clear justification

·  Survive real and apparent changes of corporate direction

 

·  Why Projects Get Done

  











Projects are created to

·  Make or save money

·  Increase customer satisfaction

·  Make a better product

·  Be more efficient

·  Make the job easier/safer

·  The law requires it

Every project should have some kind of business case that explains why the project is being done; considers alternatives; may include a ROI projection; considers the consequences of not doing the project

 

·  A Project Objective Statement

  

A Project Objective Statement (POS) is essential when beginning a project. Its purpose is to make the broad project parameters clear to everyone.

·  It clarifies what the project is

·  Spells out critical success factors

·  Explains why we are doing it

·  Lays out the approximate timetable

A POS describes in 50 words or less...

·  Why the project is being done

·  Who is doing it

·  What they are doing

·  By when it will be done

·  How we will know when it is truly complete

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it. - Albert Einstein

Click here to hear a classic POS from 1961

 

·  The Flexibility Matrix

  


















A Flexibility Matrix identifies the relative priority of each of the POS elements. As the project progresses it can change.

Early in the Initiation phase the Project Manager discusses the project priorities with the sponsor/client and places an X in each column by either Resources, Time or Scope. Only one X may be placed in each column. With this as a tool the Project Manager and Project Team can make decisions that are in line with the Project Sponsor's priorities.

 

·  Summary

  

We've now seen how you will ensure a solid beginning for your project when you follow these steps:

·  Understand your project's position within the company or department's strategic objectives

·  Understand the real reason why a project is being undertaken

·  Create a simple objective statement that anyone new coming to the project could easily understand

·  Make the project's priorities clear and explicit

 

·  The Final Word

  








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