Planning and Running the Project

Planning and Running the Project

Identifying the Project

  • Understanding the project definition is the first step in planning. This can mean establishing its objectives, scope, and how its success will be measured.
  • It involves identifying the customer’s needs and how they will be met by the project objectives.
  • Key to this is setting SMART goals - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Having such goals will help in planning and executing the project.

Feasibility Study

  • A feasibility study will evaluate the proposed project’s likelihood of success. It will look at all relevant factors such as technical issues, business capabilities, legal requirements, and potential risks.
  • This valuable step prevents wasting time on unviable projects.
  • The feasibility study helps to build a business case for pursuing the project based on the balance of costs and benefits.

Project Planning

  • Project planning involves creating a detailed roadmap indicating what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom.
  • It might include determining resource allocation, estimating timelines, identifying risks, and developing contingency plans.
  • The outcome of the planning phase is the project plan, a document that guides the execution and control stages.

Task Management

  • Effective task management is crucial for smooth project execution.
  • It includes determining task dependencies, priorities, and the assignment of responsibilities.
  • Regular progress tracking is essential to ensure tasks are completed in a timely fashion and adjust the plan if necessary.

Risk Management

  • Risk management means identifying potential risks and developing strategies to minimise their impact or likelihood.
  • Regular risk assessments can help the project team stay on top of any new threats that might emerge.

Measuring and Controlling

  • Performance measurement against the objectives set during the initiation stage is crucial in tracking the project’s success.
  • These metrics can include time, cost, quality, customer satisfaction, and/or benefits to the organisation.
  • Performance needs to be monitored and controlled throughout the project to ensure it is on track. Regular status updates can identify problems early and enable remedial action.

Project Closure

  • Once all tasks are complete, the project enters the closure phase.
  • This involves evaluating the completed project against its initial objectives, documenting lessons learned, releasing resources, and confirming the project’s formal closure.
  • This is a critical step, as it ensures the project’s goals have been achieved and provides valuable insights for future projects.