Project Management Methodology Overview

A Closer Look at the Concept, Scope and Design Phases of Projects

Jul 11, 2009

Meetings to Define What the Project will Achieve, Sideshowmom

The importance of the concept and design phases of a project cannot be underestimated. Knowing what is involved and how to implement a project is crucial for success.

Often a project manager will focus on the implementation of a project, thinking this is the most important phase. However each phase is critical to the success of the entire project.

Project Management is made up of four phases:

Concept Phase
Scope and Design Phase
Implementation Phase
Commissioning and Handover Phase

Consider the first two project management phases in more depth:

Project Management Concept Phase

Conceptualize the project during the project management concept phase. In some cases there will be a need to help the client decide whether or not to take on a project or not. The project management concept phase is designed to help the project manager make that decision.

Whether or not a company takes on a project will depend on a few things, for example, will the project be of strategic value to the company, or will the project be of financial benefit to the company.

Getting to know the company will help the project manager in evaluating whether or not the project should be undertaken. There are some things about the company that the project manager will want to take into consideration before embarking on the project.

Analyze the project – What is the broad focus, aim and purpose of the project? How much is the company prepared to spend? What sort of return on investment is the company expecting?
Analyze the company – Analyze the goals, mission and vision of the company to see whether the project is in the best interests of the company. It might be profitable in the short term but is it in line with the mission statement of the company?
Analyzing the company's position in the market place might help in this regard. A SWOT analysis might also help in this regard (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).

Decision to Continue

Once the decision has been made to continue with the project, the project sponsor and a project management committee will need to be identified. The committee needs to be set up to administer the project, documenting how often they will meet and what penalties, if any, are to be imposed on those who miss these meetings. The project management committee will define the team and resources for the project scope and design phase.

Minute the protocols and documentation to be used during the subsequent phases of the project.

Project Management Scope and Design Phase

During the scope and design phase the following criteria will need to be defined:

Define what the project is. Set out in detail what the project will achieve and what its goals are so that there are no misunderstandings as to what will be done.
Document what the project will not accomplish along with any exceptions.
Document expectations – list what is expected from the project sponsor or the client. In addition, list all the assumptions of those concerned to eliminate any misunderstandings.
Document quality of the product and workmanship. Document all specifications. This will enable a project manager to overcome any changes in quality and specifications with change control forms etc.
Project activities – firstly define activities, then estimate the duration of each activity.
Resources – define resources and then assign these resources to tasks.

The above needs to be set out using a Pert and Gantt chart showing late state, late finish and early start, early finish. Show the float for each task.

At this point in the project the project committee should meet to determine if the project is still viable.

The next step in a project is a feasibility study.

Part II – Project Management Feasibility

Source:

Project Management – Planning and Control Techniques –Rory Burke

Project Management Methodology: Optimizing Leadership

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