Project Specification

Specification

The first step in budgeting is to identify the specifications. A specification is the definition of the project or a statement of the problem, not the solution. Normally, the specification contains errors, ambiguities, misunderstandings, and enough rope to hang the project manager and the entire team. 

Importance of Project Specification

A project specification is an essential part of the design, and states how the work should be executed to ensure that it meets the designer’s assumptions

A specification document describes how something is supposed to be done

From a purely defensive point of view, the agreed on specification also affords you protection against the numbties that have second thoughts, or new ideas, half way through the project. Once the project is underway, changes cost time and money. The existence of a demonstrably agreed on specification lets you resist or charge for (possibly in terms of extra time) such changes. 

Benefits of Specification for Project and project Manager

It is only logical that the specification be written down and agreed on by all parties involved in the project. Having an agreement in writing has several benefits:

• The clarity will reveal misunderstandings.
• The completeness will remove contradictory assumptions.
• The rigor of the analysis will expose technical and practical details that numbties normally gloss over through ignorance or fear.
• The agreement forces all concerned to actually read and think about the details.

Errors In Making A Specification

It’s very easy to err when making a specification. The major points of error are usually:

 

The global context: Numbties often focus too narrowly on the work of one team and fail to consider how it fits into the larger picture. Some of the work given may actually be undone or duplicated by others. Some of the proposed work may be incompatible with that of others.

Inferences: Between your team and its customers and suppliers there are interfaces. At these points something gets transferred. Exactly what, how, and when should be discussed and agreed upon from the very beginning. Never assume a common understanding, because you will be wrong. All it takes for your habitual understandings to evaporate is the arrival of one new member, in either of the teams. Define and agree to interfaces and maintain a friendly contact throughout the project.

Time-scales: Numbties always underestimate the time involved for work. If there are no time-scales in the specification, you can assume that one will be imposed upon you (which will be impossible). You must add realistic dates. The detail should include a precise understanding of the extent of any intermediate stages of the task, particularly those that have to be delivered.

External dependencies: The project may depend upon the work of others. Highlight the effect that problems with these would have upon your project so that everyone is quite clear about their importance.

Resources: The numbty tends to ignore resources. The specification should identify the materials, equipment, and manpower that are needed for the project. The agreement should include a commitment by managers to allocate or fund them. Make double sure that the actual numbers are practical and/or correct.

Business Case

Business Case

A business case is similar to a business plan prepared for private business. Its purpose is to outline the business rationale for undertaking the project and to define the parameters and management factors involved in the project itself. It provides the project manager with a tool to guide the design, management and evaluation of the project

Importance of Business case

The preparation of a business case serves the dual purpose of creating a budget. A business case is a structured proposal that is justified in terms of costs and benefits. It is a typical prerequisite for the initiation of a medium to large project and is explicitly required by many project management methodologies, no matter the size of the project.

The business case serves four purposes:

• It helps the applicant think through the project in a systematic, step-by-step manner.
• It explains to program administrators, funding partners and other interested parties why the project should be undertaken.
• It helps potential funding partners understand the economic value of the project.
• It provides a framework for completion of the project on time and on budget

The business case should address the business need that the project seeks to resolve.

It clearly sets scope and expectations, which, if carefully managed, will minimize time delays and cost over-run.

Benefits of Business case on Project and Project Manager

Business case includes the reasons for the project, the expected business benefits, the options considered (with reasons for rejecting or carrying forward each option), and the expected costs of the project, a gap analysis, and the expected risks. In this case, the gap analysis looks at both the personnel resources and materials available and what must be developed.

The business case will be reviewed periodically. Typically, the first review decides to continue the project or not. After that, reviews happen periodically during the execution of the project. A review is conducted to ensure that:

• The business case is still valid, i.e. the business need still exists.
• The project is still on track to deliver the solution to the business need.

As a result of this review, the project may be terminated or future parts amended. The business case may also be subject to amendment if the review concludes that the business need has abated or changed.

Performance measures included in Business case evaluate the success of the project. They indicate how the project will meet the objectives listed at the beginning of the business case. The business case will:

• List the plan objectives.
• State the evaluation criteria for each objective.
• Outline how or by whom each will be evaluated.

The technical analysis in business case outlines the technical information used to make the decision, and tells why the proposal represents the best or most cost-effective solution. It describes:

• Technical problems encountered in existing situation
• What alternative solutions were considered
• Why this is the best course of action to choose
• Why this is the most cost-effective solution, or if not, why it was chosen
• What innovative technologies are being used

 

Office Survival Tip: Utilizing Lunch Breaks

Office Survival Tip: Utilizing Lunch Breaks.

Beginning Of Project

Beginning a Project

The selection of leader or the project manager is one of the first and foremost decisions that have to be made. Selecting the right people in right place/spots in the project helps to ensure its success.

One of the first decisions that must be made is the approach to the project. There are several approaches that are effective and that can be used to manage project activities such as agile and phased approaches.

Irrespective of technique or approach chosen to manage the project, careful consideration needs to be given to clarify project objective, goals, and the roles and responsibilities of all participants and stakeholders.

Another critical area to be covered in a project is the risk factor. Identifying significant or consequential risk and development plans to minimize those risks is an important part at the beginning of project.

At the beginning of the project the first process that occurs is Initiation Process. The initiating process determines the nature and scope of the project. If this stage is not performed well it is unlikely that the project will be successful in meeting the business needs.

Initiating Process Group Processes

The initiation stage should include a cohesive plan that encompasses the following:

•  Study and analyze business needs with measurable goals.
• Review of the current operations.
• Conceptual design of the final product.
• Equipment requirement.
• Financial analysis of the coast and benefits, including a budget.
• Stakeholders and support personnel for the project.
• Project charter including costs, tasks, deliverables and schedule.

  

Role of Project Manager in Beginning Stage

A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of a project. The job title is used in construction, petrochemical, architecture, information technology and many different industries that produce products and services.

The project manager must have a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve conflicts, as well as more general management skills.

The role of the project manager in the beginning of project encompasses many activities including the following:

• Planning and Defining Scope
• Activity Planning and Sequencing
• Resource Planning
• Developing Schedules
• Time Estimating
• Cost Estimating
• Developing a Budget
• Documentation
• Creating Charts and Schedules
• Risk Analysis

Successful delegation is critical to successful project management and is one of the important factors in the beginning of the project. Utilization of the human resources available is critical to the success of a plan.

A project manager is the person accountable for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which is cost, time, and scope.

Project Management Forms and Deliverables

Project Management Forms and Deliverables.

Tracking a project from the beginning

Tracking a project from the beginning.