INTRODUCTION
In this simple guide to project management I will use the analogy of the Project Management Office being like Air Traffic Control for projects and change. The Project Management Office [PMO] will want confidence that any significant project or change is clear about passengers and crew (participants), fuel (budget), destination (outcome) and route (plans). For each initiative we want to be able to give it a thumbs-up or guidance on what is required for permission to take-off or indeed a safe journey: on-time, on-budget, to-specification, low-risk and high-communication.
This simple guide is based on a blend of Waterfall approach (plan before action eg PRINCE2) and Agile (work it out as you do eg SCRUM)
ATC STEP 7 THE BENEFITS REVIEW PHASE
Benefits Review At this step we need to review of outcomes compared to the business case and plan. The best approach is to revisit all the above steps to look at what happened, learn any lessons and measure success against your original goals in the Business Case or Plan. By recording this and sharing it the business is able to learn and improve.
Key question are we trying to answer: Did we achieve our aims, on-time, on-budget, to-specification, with low-risk and high-communication?
Process: Make sure you revisit all the above steps to look at what happened, learn any lessons and measure success against your original goals in the Business Case or Plan. Get this in writing. We have a template for this.
HOW WE BEGIN
At this stage we are at the considering the quotes, specifications, proposals. This is the time when we deciding what we want, can afford, and are able to achieve, but not yet committing to how or when.
CASE STUDY
Jane has finished her project and is looking back to learn lessons (of what went well, as well as what could have gone better) and to find out if the project turned-out as planned.
CLARITY WRITTEN DOWN
There are the questions your idea phase should aim answer
Question 1 Did we achieve our aims? (On-time, on-budget, to-specification, with low-risk & high-communication?)At this step we need to review of outcomes compared to the business case and plan. Key question are we trying to answer: Did we achieve our aims, on-time, on-budget, to-specification, with low-risk and high-communication?
Question 2 Did we achieve the aims set out in the Business Case?
Question 3 How did we do against the planned schedule and costs?
Question 4 Did we stay within our original scope or did it creep?
Question 5 Did we achieve our goals within the budget?
Question 6 Was the supplier happy? How did the design & development of the product go?
Question 7 Was the customer happy? How did the handover go?
Question 8 Did we achieve our strategic goals?
Question 9 What can we learn for next time?
Question 10 Is there anything still left to do?
USEFUL LINKS AND REFERENCES
About Agile
https://www.guru99.com/waterfall-vs-agile.html
About Waterfall and the leading approach to Waterfall which is PRINCE2
https://prince2.wiki/
ABOUT THE BLOG
This is a series of coaching blogs that eventually will become a book. By blogging each item I hope to share each element in easy to read bite size chunks, maybe invite some people to subscribe to see the next posting and hopefully encourage some comments, feedback and suggestions which will improve the content for the blog and eventually the book. All comments and feedback are therefore welcome.
