The success of a project will depend critically upon the effort, care and skill you apply in its initial planning. This article looks at the creative aspects of this planning.
THE SPECIFICATIONA specification is the definition of your project: a statement of the problem, not the solution.
The outcome of this deliberation should be a written definition of what is required, by when; and this must be agreed by all involved. There are no short-cuts to this; if you fail to spend the time initially, it will cost you far more later on.
The agreement upon a written specification has several benefits:
- the clarity will reveal misunderstandings
Specification includes:
- Global context
- Interfaces
- Time scales
- External Dependencies
- Resources
- Specification may change
Providing Structure
What you and your team actually needs to do and how to do it.
Work Breakdown Strucutre
Dividing a task into small achievable and manageable units.
Task Allocation
Establishing Controls
Like a 'doing' phase (work in progress)
- Make mile stones
Communication is your everything, to monitor progress, to receive early warnings of danger, to promote co-operation, to motivate through team involvement.
Who knows the best?
Ask your team, they too must be having some best ideas.
This does not mean that your project should be planned by your committee - rather that you as manager. Plan the project based upon all the available experience & creative ideas.
So communicate as per the work breakdown structure to team and then ask for their comments.
Testing & Quality
- How long will the testing take
- How do we know we have done it right.
Fighting for time
As a manager you have to regulate the work pressure & work load which is imposed upon your team. Protect them from the un-reasonable demands of rest of the company.
Open meetings with all
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