The Project Management Plan

Question 1

What is the Project Management Plan?

Answer 1

• Builds on info in business case
• As a minimum, must answer 6 fundamental questions:
  
  • Why > What > Who > When > How > How much
• Contract between PM & Sponsor
• When using a linear life cycle approach, the assumption underpinning integrated planning is that all the work can be defined, estimated, scheduled, risked, resourced and costed – so that a baseline can be established from which deployment can be managed and controlled.
• When using an iterative life cycle approach, a baseline plan is still required, but the assumptions underpinning the plan are different, with flexibility and agility built into the thinking.

Question 2

List 5 Contents of the PMP

Answer 2

• Objectives & deliverables
• Constraints & assumptions
• Processes, tools & techniques
• WBS
• Project schedule
• Major milestones
• Resource and org plan
• R&Rs
• Performance measures
• Risk analysis
• Change mangement plan
• Budget & cash flow
• Quality plan
• Communications plan
• Procurement plan
• Stakeholder management plan

Question 3

When is the PMP Created?

Question 4

Who Owns / Authors / Reads the PMP?

Answer 4

• Sponsor approves plan
• PM authors and own plan
• Any legitimate stakeholder reads and can contribute to plan

Question 5

Benefits of Planning

Answer 5

• Careful consideration of project scope avoids missing things out
• Problems are anticipated and management is proactive
• Improves understanding - clarifies the real issues
• Concentrates attention on deliverables
• Provides basis for monitoring and control of budget and schedule
• Builds commitment in the team through involvement
• Improves confidence and morale of team and stakeholders
• Establishes achievable targets and milestones
• Identifies resources required
• Establishes responsibilities
• Dramatically incraases probability if successful project