Requirements: No different than purchasing equipment, make sure the objectives of a project are acquired by collecting and documenting requirements.
When I was about 8, I sat on Santa's lap and asked for a "Barbie Dream House." I imagined how wonderful that would be. Instead I got a knock-off Barbie Doll. So I used shoe boxes and washcloths for her house. The "house" was easy to build, flexible, economical, environmentally friendly, and most importantly met her (and Ken's!) needs. Project requirements often describe the Dream House, so it will be important to categorize requirements, as it is unlikely the Dream House will be built to complete satisfaction or will even be needed.
Gathering and Organizing Requirements
There is plenty of debate on the best way to manage and deliver against requirements. The Practical Project Manager focuses on selecting tools and methodologies depending on the size and complexity of the project.
When gathering requirements, make sure to rate each requirement for its importance and urgency in achieving the stated objective. Create a measurable way to determine what "finished" looks like.
A simple spreadsheet that states the category, requirement description, who requested it, what function it satisfies, its priority, urgency, and dependency may be all that is needed.
Ensure the right people are engaged. The people defining requirements and approving them may be two different teams.
Ensure requirements and decisions tie to overall project objectives, funding, and timeline.
Prioritize requirements: A) must have B) meets objectives C) rounds out delivery
Determine urgency: 1) must do now 2) can wait
Requirements have a priority/urgency rating: e.g. "A1" is a must have/urgent rating.
For complex, large-scale projects, more sophisticated methods and tools may be required. Look for tools that tie requirements, product development, testing, defects and changes, and user acceptance.
Establish a traceability process, so a requirement can be traced through product development, testing, defects and changes, to user acceptance:
Establish a traceability process, so a requirement can be traced through product development, testing, defects and changes, to user acceptance:
Ensure the right people are engaged. The people defining requirements and approving them may be two different teams.
Ensure requirements and decisions tie to overall project objectives, funding, and timeline.
Prioritize requirements: A) must have B) meets objectives C) rounds out delivery
Determine urgency: 1) must do now 2) can wait
Requirements have a priority/urgency rating: e.g. "A1" is a must have/urgent rating.
Always refer to your company's methodology or the Project Management Institute for specific how-to.
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ReplyDeleteTag: PM203A54. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it
1. Plan your day using time management techniques
As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.
If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.
Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager
2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations
While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.
Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.
Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.
3. Regularly communicate with your team
Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.
For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.
4. Anticipate project setbacks
Even the best-laid plans often go awry.
Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.
Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.
Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.
Related post: 92 free project management templates
5. Stay focused on the details
A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.
Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.
And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs