Scope management, or rather the lack of it, is one of the biggest reasons for project failure. Correctly defining what is and is not included in the project is absolutely foundational to good project management. I've seen many projects go south even though they had the right expertise, schedule, high quality deliverables, and even satisfied clients. But if the dreaded … [Read more...]
To external parties, a project is defined by its deliverables. They are not just some relatively important part of the project, they are the project. They are also the measuring stick by which the success of the project, and by extension the competence of the project manager, are measured. For a word so important to the project management profession, you would expect … [Read more...]
A Value Study attempts to improve the value of a project using value engineering methodology. This is defined by the Value Methodology Standard, published by SAVE International. Typically, a value engineering team meets for 1-3 weeks, during which they work through the "job plan" as outlined by the standard. According to the Value Methodology standard, there are 6 … [Read more...]
In my industry, value engineering is something that's codified in the standard specification book, the one that's tossed into every contract to define the standards for the project. It allows a Contractor to approach the owner/consultant and request design changes. If approved, the savings are shared with the Contractor. I've never seen the clause used, although I can … [Read more...]
In project management, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a planning tool whereby the project scope is divided into logical sub-components. It is a graphical representation of the project scope and forms the basis for further planning, such as the cost and schedule. It is not a scheduling or costing tool. A good WBS should be created in advance of the schedule to keep the … [Read more...]
Scope issues are the #1 reason for project failure. Today more than ever, it's imperative that all projects need a scope management plan. In its absence, project stakeholders tend to assume the project boundaries in their favor, and the result is generally not good. If there's one thing a project manager can do to make project run smoother, it's to establish the scope … [Read more...]
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. The project manager asked the project team, which included me, to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a scope change request along with a new budget was sent to the client. Everything sounded like it was back on track. This sequence of … [Read more...]
To manage projects effectively, they need to be divided into work packages. This allows you to focus on the smaller tasks at hand and how they relate to one another, which makes the whole project more manageable. It forms the basic building blocks for planning, controlling and measuring project performance. Estimating the project cost and completion dates depends on … [Read more...]
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. The project manager asked the project team, which included me, to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a scope change request, along with a new budget was sent to the client. Everything sounded like it was back on track. This sequence of … [Read more...]
A Requirements Traceability Matrix is a project management tool that provides a formal way to track project requirements. It links project (or product) requirements from their origins to the deliverables that satisfy them. At the outset of each project, prior to even the scope statement, the requirements should be identified and prioritized. Things like paint quality … [Read more...]
