Project Management for the “Non” Project Manager
Agenda What is a project and who’s involved? Project Charter Project Organization Chart & Roles Scope Communication Keys to success
What is a Project? Not Everyday, routine, repetitive work Major characteristics: Has an established objective Has a defined lifespan with a beginning and an end Normally includes the involvement of several departments and professionals Typically involves something never or rarely done before Has specific time, cost, and performance objectives
Who is involved in a project? Project Sponsor Project Manager Team Members Stakeholders
A Successful Project Team… A successful project team has some specific characteristics: Competence A clear, common goal Commitment to the common goal An environment within which everyone contributes and benefits A supportive team/organizational structure Alignment of project goals with organizational goals
Project Charter What is it? It may include… Name of project sponsor Relationship between project and organization goals Benefits of the project to the organization’s goals Expected time frame of the work A concise description of project objectives The budget, allocations, and resources available to the team The project manager’s authority The sponsor’s signature
Project Organization
Project Scope Vital to the success of the project A key ingredient to a successful team Scope creep can kill your project
Communications Plan How will decisions be made? Majority Rule Consensus Small Group/Committee Leader/PM How will you communicate primarily? Phone Forums/bulletin boards Meetings (online or in person) What are the attendance policies for meetings?
Communications Plan What other communications methods are acceptable? How long should it take to respond to messages? How do you track outstanding items? How do you document decisions/actions? Keep minutes? Reports?
Project Success Clear PM charter Understood organizational chart Leadership Avoiding scope creep Communication Flexibility
What We’ve Covered What is a project and who’s involved? Project Charter Project Organization Chart & Roles Scope Communication Keys to success
Dale L. Trexler Chief Warrant Officer Four Deputy Knowledge Officer, US Army JAG Corps 2200 Army Pentagon Washington, DC Questions W. Sean Luman Director, Knowledge Management Bracewell & Giuliani LLP 711 Louisiana Street, Suite 2300 Houston, Texas T: | F: | Project Management Institute -- Standards.aspx Standards.aspx iPad apps for Project Management -- /25-incredibly-useful-ipad-apps-for- project-managers /25-incredibly-useful-ipad-apps-for- project-managers Software for Project Management -- software.com/project-management/ software.com/project-management/