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_______________________ We can help you.... _______________________
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So what makes a Good Project? Studies have obviously shown that well planned projects are far more likely to succeed and in less time than a badly planned one. The process of enacting any form of change over a business should therefore demand a considered project plan. (see how to create a project plan for more details). Before such a plan can be created It is important that the scope of the project is well documented and communicated. Senior management’s commitment to the project should be highly visible throughout the business. Not only should management be seen to be committed but they must be seen to view it as a priority for the business. If not and they play "lip service" then some of this will rub off to the people within the business and they will loose focus. However, producing the project plan is only the first step to successful project management. You must then ensure that all those working on the project understand the role they play. They must also agree that it is achievable in the timescales and importantly that the plan is the only timetable to be used. One word to sum this aspect up would be "Ownership". If the people working on the project don’t feel involved or listened to when creating the plan then the risks of failure are increased considerably. Once the project has commenced, regular feedback on the progress of each activity must be reported. This enables not only the project plan to be maintained on a regular basis but also allows the viability of the end date to be monitored. After all, each task’s duration was only an estimate and the availability of resources was based upon assumptions from normal day-to-day business. However, if slippage occurs there are only 3 things which can be really be done to maintain the projects end date. These are;
If after reviewing all of these options there is no change then moving the projects completion date must be considered. However, such a decision needs to be taken with full knowledge of the facts. If it seems that this is the only option then it might be the right time to review the remaining tasks within the plan to ensure that estimates remain valid in light of the experiences so far. Maybe an assumption was incorrect or too optimistic. If the completion date is changed then you must carefully communicate the reasons for the change and commit fully to the new date. It is important that top-level management, right up to the Board if possible, is behind the project. If this is not visible then it will be too tempting for people to feel that the previous date was movable, so this one can be too. But, if changing the date is really not an option then you could also consider reducing the scope of the project or by phasing it into two or more stages, each with a different completion date. Obviously from this it can be seen that the overall management of projects demands certain people and task related skills. As we have stated before ownership of the project itself by the company’s employees is an important factor in most successful projects. It is therefore not always possible or appropriate to outsource the whole project to an external company for this reason. However, using external help on a regular review basis can sometimes focus the mind, provide an impartial view on progress and also ensure that scope creep is not causing the project to go astray! Assisting You's staff have the experience in running many successful projects for large blue-chip businesses such as Titleist and Footjoy, ITT Cannon, Dun and Bradstreet, Coca Cola Schweppes, and Grundig International to name but a few, and can work closely with your business to develop the initial plan and facilitate the ongoing management process. If you wish to contact Assisting You to discuss how we can help with one of your projects then please e-mail us at [inquiry@assistingyou.co.uk]
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