Well planned project is essential for the project success. The most important elements and issues to consider while managing a project are:
- Size of project
- Required resources
- Resources allocation
- Interface with satellite systems/projects
- Using managerial tools
- Periodic team meetings
Size of a project is determined by the targets to be achieved. These targets are the strategic level and in order to achieve them, the tactic should be set. The tactic is a composition of many tasks. All tasks involved should be included in the plan and clear in a manner of how to perform them.
Required resourcesThe list of required resources can be produced by analyzing the tasks list. The most common resources are human resources, time, computers, machinery and money.
Resources allocation is actually matching both lists of tasks and required resources.
Interface with satellite systems/projectsIt is very important to pay attention to other projects/system that this project influence on and the projects/systems that influence on this project. Any influence and any interface with external project/system should be taken under consideration while planning the tasks.
Using managerial tools is essential to implement all planned tasks. Without using the managerial tools it would be very difficult to monitor and control of any progress, it would be almost impossible to have planned vs. actual status. The general managerial tools that can be used are any project management software (i.e. MS Project), Roles& Responsibilities matrix (can include the following columns: serial #, Task/Subject, Role, Status, Remarks), Action Items matrix (can include the following columns: Item #, Action Item, Responsible, Due Date, Importance, Status, Remarks), Open issues matrix (can include the following columns: Issue #, Issue, Status, Remarks) and project's mile stones list.
Periodic team meeting are important for audit, monitor and control of the project progress. Any problematic issue that will be raised in these meetings immediately be part of action items matrix in order to be treated on time. Taking care of issues while they are small prevent dealing with bigger issues/problems later on. |
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