IT Proj Managament Questions
What is a project plan, and what constitutes an effective project plan- do some research, add your own thoughts and share what you know with everyone.
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A project plan is a guide which provides details on how a project is managed to ensure there is a successful implementation. A project plan takes place in consideration of the approach with which the project team will take and also ensures the stakeholders are documented regarding the objective and scope of the project, schedule to be followed, the resources to be used and the deliverables of the project. It is important for a project management to include the usability activities and this helps to build in time as well as the resources to help the activities to take place. a project plan is also carried out after an extensive research and helps in creating of the optimal route through the project.
References
How to Write a Good Project Plan in 10 Steps | Project Management Guide. (2017). Teamgantt.com. Retrieved from https://www.teamgantt.com/guide-to-project- management/how-to-plan-a-project/
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A project plan is a formal document designed to guide the control and execution of a project. A project plan is the key to a successful project and is the most important document that needs to be created when starting any business project.
For example, an IT project plan will include templates and/or any other document that displays project activities along a timeline. However, considering these documents alone as a project plan is inaccurate. These particular documents can be more precisely termed as project schedules, and may be considered only a part of the actual project plan.
A project plan is used for the following purposes:
To document and communicate stakeholder products and project expectations
To control schedule and delivery
To calculate and manage associated risks
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A project plan is a tool that is used to track important milestones such as the project scope and objectives .I believe effective project plans are detailed and capture the main points in any project. To include budget and timelines. Thorough research is also needed to ensure the plan incorporates enough information to streamline the project plan. When a plan is created we must make sure that the plan is the best way ahead with minimal setbacks. For example if we accomplish all tasks on our plan, and we run into an issue, that needs a work around, than can delay the project. If effective pre planning is done then that work around could have been incorporated into the original project plan. Ultimatly, and experienced project manager can be the ultimate tool in creating the best possible project plan.
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A project plan is produced with an easy to read, detailed breakdown of the individual steps , timelines and responsibilities assigned to every facet of the team members, including department heads and sponsors in order to accomplish a common goal or finished result of a project. An effective project plan details and assigns each individual on the team, specific tasks which they must work on alone or in conjunction with others and are broken down by sequence with permissible timelines and tolerances in order to complete such tasks by a given deadline. A comprehensive plan also encompasses the budget constraints and possible manning issues which may occur if a teammate is unavailable.
"Planning is often the most difficult and unappreciated process in project management. Because planning is not always used to facilitate action, many people view planning negatively. The main purpose of project plans, however, is to guide project execution. To guide execution, plans must be realistic and useful, so a fair amount of time and effort must go into the planning process. People who are knowledgeable about the work need to plan the work."
Reference
Schwalbe, K. (2016). Information technology project management (8th ed.). Australia: Cengage Learning.
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According to Rouse (2007), "Project planning is a discipline for stating how to complete a project within a certain timeframe, usually with defined stages, and with designated resources." She goes on to explain that project planning is usually divided into four stages: setting measurable objectives, identifying deliverables, planning a schedule, and making plans for other components of the project (Rouse, 2007). Project planning is an essential component of project management. Larson (2012) explains that, "...the project plan is a set of living documents that can be expected to change over the life of the project. Like a roadmap, it provides direction for the project."
Based on these principles, it is imperative that a project plan is developed at the very beginning of the project. The plan must be very detailed, but not too rigid. It should be a guide for the project, but it should change as needed throughout the project to accommodate changes and unexpected events.
Resources
Larson, E. (2012). 10 steps to creating a project plan. Retrieved from https://www.projecttimes.com/articles/10-steps-to-creating-a-project-plan.html
Rouse, M. (2007). Project planning. Retrieved from http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/definition/project-planning
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A project plan encompasses the entire project from start to finish and used to guide the team by keeping them on the predetermined path set by the plan. Many use project plans to convey their idea to stakeholders. An effective project plan answers the necessary questions of Who, What, Where, When, Why as well as How. The answers to these questions should be answered thoughtfully and the answers should not be simple (Kim, 2016). According to Team Gantt, in order for a project plan to be successful teams must first conduct research on their project, outline what they want to do, and have as well as encourage open communication between team members (2017). The company notes that planning does not end once the project plan is put together as unexpected things may come up over the course of the project that may change the next step in the plan or need to be planned around. By developing a rapport between team members and having open communication as well as keeping the original project plan in mind, teams should be able to overcome any unexpected obstacle that may come up.
Kim, D. (2016). Resources.workfront.com. Retrieved from https://resources.workfront.com/project-management-blog/project-management-101-the-5-ws-and-1-h-that-should-be-asked-of-every-project
How to Write a Good Project Plan in 10 Steps | Project Management Guide. (2017). Teamgantt.com. Retrieved from https://www.teamgantt.com/guide-to-project-management/how-to-plan-a-project/
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The project plan is the overarching document about your project. The project plan will answer four of the five "W" questions that need to be asked. We can skip the where question as it is not needed here, but the other four Ws are important. Who is going to do the work? What work needs to be done? When does the project need to be completed? And finally, why are we doing it? Adults, like children, have an innate need to know why. The project plan should answer these four questions.
Software is available to assist with the project plan. Microsoft Project, for example, is an excellent scheduling tool that provides, among other things, an easy way to create and display Gantt charts to keep your project on schedule. In the event that your project gets derailed a little bit, the Gantt chart created in Microsoft Project can show you where it happened and who or what was the cause. You can't get back on track if you don't know that you are off track. This timeline alone is not the project plan, but it is a vital part of the plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail, and with a good schedule, and someone to keep people on task, projects can be successful.
Knowing when the project needs to be completed is probably the most important thing to keep track of. Everyone is busy nowadays, but being able to prioritize work and maintain time management is essential to getting everything done. Having a good project manager to keep things on track is a definite bonus.
References
Techopedia. (2017). Project plan. Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24775/project-plan
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Before project management is implemented, a project plan must first be created for a specified project. A project is anything from writing a book to building a subway system on the island of Oahu. A project plan guides the stakeholders, management, and technicians onto one page relative to the project’s objectives. A project plan is a formal document that has a “clear and logical sequence of events…focused on…a clear and defined objective on deadline, with costs, resources, and quality parameters specified” (Vargas, 2007, p. 1). A project plan is one of the most important documents needed when deciding to execute a plan because it has detailed objectives. All involved on the project should be aware of the project’s mission and goals, and this clarity is what makes a project plan effective. I personally do not have much experience with project planning or project management, but I know project managers carry a great deal of responsibility and can equally receive praise and backlash, depending on if the project is staying aligned with the timeline defined in the project plan.
Bibliography
Project Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from Techopedia: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24775/project-plan
Vargas, R. V. (2007). Practical Guide to Project Planning. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis Group.
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A project plan is a formal document that provides planning assumptions and decisions, facilitate communication among project stakeholders, and document approved scope, cost, and schedule baselines.
Activities include:
1. Setting objectives: A good project plan requires good objectives. Good objectives are measurable, realistic and specific. They have finite scope and duration. Good objectives are clear and they require actions to complete. Good objectives have every element of being attainable if the project plan is followed. Objectives can make or break a project.
Objectives for projects can be as simple as “develop a new software program to track expenses" or as long reaching as “increase profits 20 percent in the next quarter." The important thing is that these objectives lead to a project path.
2. Identifying deliverables: A deliverable can be a software product, a design document, a training program, a milestone or other asset that is required by the project plan.
3. Planning schedule: The project planning schedule explains the details of specific tasks within the project plan. The schedule deals with specifics, dates and duration, and assigns each member of the team concrete tasks to be completed at certain points of the project.
4. Making supporting plans which includes human resources, communication methods and risk management.
References:
http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/definition/project-planning
http://www.brighthubpm.com/project-planning/20136-examples-of-project-planning-objectives/
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A project plan expresses the objectives and requirements of the project in terms of
Scope
Schedule
Resource Requirement
Cost Estimation
Quality and
Risk Management
A project plan enables project manager to translate project requirements into work breakdown structure WBS, tasks list, Gantt charts, resource assignment and so on
Zilicus Solutions. (2012). Basics of Project Planning. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from http://zilicus.com/Articles/Basics_Of_Project_Planning.pdf
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Project Plan
A project plan is a formal agreement between the project procurer and developer. It documents and ensures mutual project stakeholder approval while assisting management and technical teams with project tracking.
Project Plan requires detailed and vital documentation to track project requirements, functionalities, scheduling, and budget. project plans establish detailed project requirements, including human and financial resources, communications, projected timelines and risk management.
A project plan must answer the following questions regarding the project:
Why? - What is the task related to the project? Why is the project is being sponsored?
What? - What are the activities required to successfully complete the project? What are the main products or deliverables?
Who? - Who will take part in the project and what are their responsibilities during the project? How can they be organised?
When? - What exactly is the project schedule and when can the milestones be completed?
Source:
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24775/project-plan
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A project plan provides direction to achieve the ultimate goals of the project, breaking things down into smaller, more specific sections and subsections. The areas in an effective project plan include schedule, budget, scope, risk and quality management plans, staffing, communication guidelines, and procurement, among other areas. The plan should be flexible, constantly changing to meet the projects requirements and changes in scope. The scope included in the plan will inevitably change but should always be clear, stating the problem being solved and including project benefits. The plan should contain clear guidelines for staff to follow moving forward, ensuring consistency.
The project will always be changing and the plan should change with it. However, it should always provide clear baselines for the project at every stage.
Bateman, K. (2013, September 17). Six steps on how to create a clear project plan. Retrieved from http://www.computerweekly.com/photostory/2240205579/Six-tips-on-how-to-create-a-clear-project-plan/1/Step-1-How-to-explain-your-project-plan-clearly-to-stakeholders
Thomas, M., Jacques, P.H., Adams, J.R., and Kihneman-Wooten, J. (2008). Developing and effective project. Project Management Journal. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/developing-effective-project-planning-team-building-5580
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The project plan is a set of living documents that can be expected to change over the life of the project. Like a road-map, it provides the direction for the project. And like the traveler, the project manager needs to set the course for the project, which in project management terms means creating the project plan. An effective project plan should establish clear and measurable project goals and identify the budget and departmental resources required for its completion. Senior management plays an important role in the preliminary steps of a project, as these individuals must sign off on the project’s goals and objectives and allocate the necessary resources.
Identifying the Team
Project plan should define the specific expertise that is needed to move a project forward. For example, while a project may be considered an IT initiative, it may also require marketing resources or training materials. The project plan should include a list of department heads or coordinators who can assign team members to the project based on their availability, relevant experience, and skills. It is important for the project manager to facilitate clear and effective communication between all of the key participants at this stage, so each participating department and/or team member is fully aware of their roles and responsibilities, as well as how and when their tasks are to be performed.
Defining Objectives and Strategies
An effective project plan should address how the objectives of a project will be determined. Once the objectives are defined, the project manager can focus on the strategies required to achieve them. For example, a team leader may put into place a peer-auditing system that adheres to a clearly defined timeline with a distinct set of benchmarks, ensuring transparency regarding the progress of all participants.
Reporting
The project plan should specify the reporting mechanism(s) that will be used for the project so the project sponsor and/or senior management can evaluate the incremental progress that is being made toward its goals and objectives. The system should allow team members to record specific metrics, dates and milestones. The project manager will need to communicate the reporting schedule, and all stakeholders must agree upon and adhere to it to ensure deadlines are met.
Reference:
https://www.villanovau.com/resources/project-management/effective-project-management-guide/#.WJEJTBsrI2w
https://www.projecttimes.com/articles/10-steps-to-creating-a-project-plan.html
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The project plan is the road map to follow from the promise to deliver a product, to the moment when the product gets delivered. It involves many actors, and different stages.
"Project Launch
Acquire Resources
Requirement Definition
Detailed Design
System Configuration
Acquire and Install System
Application Development
Data Migration
System Documentation
Testing
Training
Production Implementation
CLOSE-DOWN"(1)
References
(1)ProjectManagement.com - Software Development Project Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.projectmanagement.com/project-plans/121789/Software-Development-Project-Plan
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The purpose of a project plan is to document a project scope, a project's objectives, and the necessary steps to meet them. Project plans are most commonly represented in the form of Gantt charts, which are very easy to understand, thus making them an effective means of communication to stakeholders.
An effective project plan is one that has been developed through extensive research about the team, your clients, and your project. If an issue comes up at any time during the project, such as delays or re-tasking, your plan must have contingencies in place. Project plans are most effective when everyone on the team is on the same page at all times, including clients, and therefore, communication and interactions are very important.
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A project plan is an approved document among stakeholders and it defines execution, monitoring and control of the project as per the defined project scope. A project plan will provide snapshot of the project status at any given point of time, track deliverable by stakeholder and provide resource utilization. An effective project plan will provide early insights into the health of the project and must cover project risks and address all inter-dependencies among various tasks. An effective project plan should be flexible to mitigate any risks or issues encounter during the execution of the project and it should also ensure efficient utilization of the resources to avoid contention and cost overruns.
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What is a project plan and what constitutes an effective project plan- do some research, add your own thoughts and share what you know with everyone.
A project plan is the most important formal document used to regulate how a project should be executed. A project plan embodies project Management, project control, project planning, project scope, cost, and schedule. “A project plan, according to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), is: "...a formal, approved document used to guide both project execution and project control. The primary uses of the project plan are to document planning assumptions and decisions, facilitate communication among project stakeholders, and document approved scope, cost, and schedule baselines.” The purpose of a project plan is to accomplish the tasks such as ensuring stakeholder’s products and project expectations are documented and communicated properly, ensuring efficient control of schedule and delivery and also to ensuring efficient calculation and management of associated risks.
Project plan attempts answers some basic questions like what, when, why and who.
A project plan needs to be put in place before project initiation so that project requirement details, functionalities, scheduling and budget can be documented and tracked.
References
Techopedia(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24775/project-plan
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A project plan is a type of document that has the purpose of leading the execution of a project. Factors that constitute an effective type of project plan include: making a roadmap, listing out the deliverables, creating a document that is able to map the milestones, having an effective team to rely upon, making sure that progress reports are clear enough to understand. and identifying the possible risks that will effective everybody. else. Other ways that a project plan could be effective are: explaining the project plan to stakeholders, defining the responsibilities, holding a meeting, developing a schedule, and then make an analysis of the risks and benefits.
Citation:
Techopedia(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24775/project-plan
