  |
 |
Search
|
||||||||||||
 |
Project Planning Summary The fundamental premise of achieving excellence in project management states that the project manager's greatest challenge is effectively balancing (or juggling) the components of time, cost, scope, quality, and the expectations for each. Figure 1 shows the project diamond, which signifies this balance.
The components of the project diamond have a symbiotic relationship. For example, when a client requests a change to the project’s scope that wasn't agreed on in the requirement specifications, the project's scope and quality change as this will impact all points within the diamond. As a result, the diamond's shape will be skewed, graphically depicting a project out of control. The challenge is managing change while keeping the diamond's shape intact. Project planning defines the diamond, while effective and efficient change and expectation management allows the Harmonix PM to manage it throughout the project's life cycle. Effective project planning is not conducted in a vacuum. It must be carried out in coordination and cooperation with all appropriate stakeholders. The Harmonix project manager must manage their expectations throughout the process. The project manager must constantly look for opportunities to create win- win relationships by negotiating work that must be accomplished. A project manager who declares, "this can't be done in the time frame allotted" will meet with stiff resistance from client management. On the other hand, a project manager who can defend this statement with a solid understanding of the project's scope, backed by a logical work breakdown structure; thoughtful estimate and project schedule; and concise risk analysis will be met with a response like, "Maybe you're right. Help me to understand what you understand." This is effective expectation management and how we at Harmonix define the development of win-win relationships. Once your project plan is in place, it's much easier to manage your project diamond. |
|
|
Products