63 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TIPS-PART ONE

The word project can be misleading. Many people think of large scale building works or changes in information technology. Your project may not be as big as those quoted; preparing  and writing a report, developing an internet product alongside marketing and sales plan, relocating an office. They all need careful planning.

This project management tips will help you in many ways:

• Providing you with a structure to manage your projects;

• Giving practical advice based on over 10 years of running projects;

• Answering many of the questions posed by people involved in projects;

• Using it to check current project management practices in your organization.

Let's start with the initiation phase.

Getting Started – Initiation

1. Develop a solid business case for your projects. Where appropriate, ensure you obtain senior managers’ agreement before you start the project. Research points out that too many projects are started without a firm reason or rationale. Developing a business case will identify whether it is worth working on.

2. Ensure your project fits with the key organizational or departmental agenda or your personal strategy. If not, why do it? Stick to priority projects.

3. Carry out risk analysis at a high level at the initiation stage. Avoid going into great detail here – more an overview focusing on the key risks.

4. Identify at this early stage key stakeholders. Consider how much you need to consult or involve them at the business case stage. Seek advice if necessary from senior managers.

5. Where appropriate, involve finance people in putting the business case together. They can be great allies in helping crunch the numbers which should give credibility to your business case.