LawNet Presentation Project Management Basics Joe Buser Traveling Coaches, Inc.

1. LawNet PresentationProject Management BasicsJoe BuserTraveling Coaches, Inc. Project Management Basics

2. Project Management Challenges • Unclear objectives • Unrealistic schedules • Over-committed resources • Unclear or changing priorities • Poor communication Project Management Basics

3. What is a “project”? A project is a unique effort with a defined beginning, a defined end, specific deliverables, and defined resources. Schedule Resources Scope Project Management Basics

4. Why do we need a project management model? • To define & organize the project • To plan the project • To track & manage the project Project Management Basics

5. Define & Organize the Project Project Management Basics

6. Benefits of Organizing • Everyone knows their role and their responsibilities • A better understanding of the project goals • Structured team communication Project Management Basics

7. Project Roles • Sponsor • Project Manager • Project Team • Project Management Office (PMO) Project Management Basics

8. Benefits of a PMO • Manage scarce technical and project management resources • Standardize data collection and status reporting • Historical analysis • Develop and maintain best practices Project Management Basics

9. Project Definition Document (PDD) • Establishes in writing what the project includes and does not include • Defines scope, schedule and resources • Sign-off is required Project Management Basics

10. Project Procedures Document • Foundation for all processes • Review the document with project teams • Reach agreement on each item • Sign-off is required Project Management Basics

11. PM Procedures Categories Project Management Basics

12. Other PM Documents • Requirements • Issue Management Process • Change Management Process Project Management Basics

13. Plan the Project Project Management Basics

14. Benefits of Planning Lays foundation for: • Improved communication • Minimized re-work • Improved schedule predictability • Quality products on time • Visualizing the project Project Management Basics

15. Work Breakdown Structure Tasks with clearly defined: • Activity and deliverable • Work estimate • Resources Project Management Basics

16. Often Forgotten Tasks • Project planning • Approval cycles • Key project meetings and client interfaces • Quality control • Testing • Closeout activities Project Management Basics

17. Scheduling • Enter WBS data into Microsoft Project • Organize into master tasks and phases • Add milestones • Add lead and lag time Project Management Basics

18. Optimize the Plan • Adjust calendars • Adjust resources • Critical path analysis • Evaluate slack Project Management Basics

19. Project Risks • Tasks on the critical path • Tasks with several predecessors • Tasks reliant on external groups • Tasks using scarce resources • Uncertainty of new technologies • Extremely aggressive performance requirements Project Management Basics

20. Risk Management Plan • Preventative actions • Contingent actions • Triggers • Owner • Risk Form • Sign-off is required Project Management Basics

21. Track & Manage the Project Project Management Basics

22. Benefits of Tracking • Provides clear indication of progress • Keeps everyone informed • Encourages the addressing of problems • Provides credible completion estimates Project Management Basics

23. Collect Status Data • Reports • Email • Project team meetings Project Management Basics

24. Where is the Variance • Evaluate key milestones and the project finish date • Do not assume that more time and resources will always fix the problem • Resource problems are often overlooked because of “stackup” caused by working on multiple projects Project Management Basics

25. Take Adaptive Action • Follow PM management procedures • Follow Issue & Change Management procedures • Review Risk Management plans • Be creative and adaptive Project Management Basics

26. What to Report • Schedule status • Open Issues • Change Requests Project Management Basics

27. Project Completion • Capture lessons learned and formally end the project • Follow up and ensure that all closing activities have been completed • Include each closing activity in the WBS and the project plan Project Management Basics

28. Closing Activities • Assess actual project cost • Conduct project close out/review meeting • Identify persons responsible for post project tasks • Reward and recognize team members Project Management Basics

29. Questions & Answers Project Management Basics

30. Thank you!Joe BuserTraveling Coaches, Inc.jbuser@travelingcoaches.com Project Management Basics