Basics of Project Management Planning

21 October 2010

Presented by: Denver Rangiah 012 315 5254 082 627 7256 denver.rangiah@treasury.gov.za

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The Characteristics of Projects- The definition of a project

• “A project is any planned, temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service, or other complete and definite output (not outcome) within a limited time scale and budget. Projects normally require the mobilisation of resources from a number of different disciplines.” – Project Management page 3.

• “A project is a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.” – PMBOK

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The Time, Cost, and Quality balance(The Triple Constraint)

TripleConstraint

TripleConstraint

QualityQuality

TimeTime CostCost

ScopeScope

Answer: They are interdependent – Any compromise needs to accommodate the expectations of the stakeholders.

A sign in a remote vehicle spare parts store read:“You can have it FAST,You can have it CHEAP,You can have the BEST.Pick any two.”

Question: What is more important in a project,Quality, Time or Cost?

PerformancePerformance

*Project Management Principles and Practices, page 8.

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Reasons for Making Changes as Early as Possible

Project Life

Cost of a Changeincreasesover time

Figure 4.2, page 57

Ability toinfluenceOutcomedecreasesover time

Project Life

Figure 4.3, page 57

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WBS – Example

Project

Phase / Sub-project

Task

Start new affiliate

1. Community awareness

2. Committee training

3. Business plan / affiliation

2.1 Family selection training

2.2 House construction /

standards training

2.2.1 Construction

standards workshop

2.2.2 Visit existing affiliate / houses

Activity

Start new project

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RAM - ExampleRAM - Example• Job Title Construction

SupervisorMason Volunteer PM

• Name Solomon Fred Ned Carol

• Activity • WBS No

• Mix Mortar • 2.2.1 • A • S • P • I

• Lay Bricks • 2.2.2 • C • P • S • I

• Plaster Walls • 3.1.1 • A • P • S • I

• Paint Walls • 3.1.2 • C • S • P • I

• RESPONSIBILITY KEY: P = Primary Responsibility S = Secondary Responsibility A = Approve I = Inform C = Consult

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Types of Risks to Project• Unreliable cost estimates• Unreliable time estimates• Loss of team members (staff)• Insufficiently skilled staff• Political instability• Government action / regulations• Changes in scope (scope creep)• Insufficient planning• Natural disasters

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Article, “Criteria for controlling projects according to plan,”Thamhain, H.J. and Wilemon, D.L.

Poor Project Control - Reasons

• Project managers– Customer/Mgmt

changes– Technical issues– Unrealistic plans– Staffing problems– Unable to detect

problems early

• Senior managers– Insufficient early planning– Unrealistic plans– Underestimate scope– Customer/Mgmt changes– Insufficient contingency

planning– Under resourcing

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Article, “Criteria for controlling projects according to plan,”Thamhain, H.J. and Wilemon, D.L.

Poor Project Control - Reasons

• Project managers– Customer/Mgmt

changes– Technical issues– Unrealistic plans– Staffing problems– Unable to detect

problems early

• Senior managers– Insufficient early planning– Unrealistic plans– Underestimate scope– Customer/Mgmt changes– Insufficient contingency

planning– Under resourcing