Project characteristics and measuring success Flashcards
Definition of project and project characteristics (APM)
A unique, transient endeavour undertaken to achieve a desired outcome.
Projects:
- introduce change
- involve unique/new/different activities
- project team is temporary
- must meet specific objectives in terms of time, cost and performance within time, cost and resource constraints
Definition of project management
PM = the process by which projects are defined, planned, monitored, controlled and delivered so that agreed benefits are realised.
Explain the three project objectives
Must meet specific objectives of time, cost and quality
Often in conflict with each other, will need to be trade-offs.
Manager has to decide which takes priority
Shown on the time, cost, quality triangle with safety in the centre
Project sponsor
The individual or body for whom the project is undertaken. The representative of the funding body/owner of the facility produced
Types of projects
All projects have different degrees of uncertainty.
type 1: methods well defined, goals well defined e.g engineering
type 2: methods not well defined. goals well defined e.g product development
type 3: methods well defined, goals not well defined e.g systems development
type 4 : methods not well defined, goals not well defined e.g research change
Problems faced by project manager
- Limited authority
- In competition with other organisational activities for resources
- Projects are novel and not routine
- no time to learn most efficient process
Project life cycle
= a sequence of distinct phases that provide the structure and approach for progressively delivering the required outputs. stages:
1. concept
2. definition
3. design
4. build
5. handover and closeout
6. operation
7. termination
extended life cycle includes stages 6 & 7
PLC 1. Concept
project need has been identified, this stage involves;
- gathering of information,
- market research,
- discussions with client/ sponsor
- preliminary evaluation to determine technical/commercial feasibility of ideas
- some technical projects may involve feasibility phase at this point
- formal authorisation required to progress project to next stage
PLC 2. Definition
Kick off meeting with client/sponsor/ key stakeholders to;
- clarify scope of project
- confirm performance/success criteria
- determine client’s requirements in detail
- PMP developed at this point
PLC 3. Design
Project deliverables are designed
- Plan design
- estimate costs, provide quote
- Procurement may begin
PLC 4. Build
Also referred to as implementation
- initial procurement
- design and development
- usually highest rate of resource expenditure
- should be minimum changes
- ends with acceptance testing, installation, sometimes pilot run before handover
problems at this stage:
- difficult to maintain focus/commitment at this point
- project nearing end, members looking for other projects
- corners being cut
PLC 5. Handover and closeout
Handover is key milestone at the end of implementation stage.
- formal process
- provision of documentation to client
- training
- customer’s sign-off of acceptance
PLC 6. Operation
Peripheral involvement
- maintenance
- repair, updates
PLC 7. Termination
- Project may end early if there are major variances
- occurs for project team after handover
- occurs for client at the end of deliverables operational life
What is front-end importance?
The principle that it is important in early stages to understand stakeholder needs, technical feasibility and risk.
Projects become more complex and costly as implementation progresses.
The scope to build in added value and reduce project cost is greatest at the beginning.
Changes later on become more expensive and complex.
