Collaborative Post
It is vital to split up projects into various stages so that you can lead it in the best possible direction. It is easy to monitor a project when it has been organised effectively and the workload has been divided into smaller sections. This means issues can be dealt with as soon as they arise, and goals can be reached more efficiently.
Initiation phase
The first phase of project management for any business is the initiation phase. This is when you explore and elaborate on the project idea, and you determine whether it is feasible. If so, you should then ascertain what is involved and who should carry out what roles. There are some key questions you aim to answer during this section. Including what the boundaries are for the project, what the results should be, who the possible partners for the project are, whether it is feasible, and why you have chosen this project. The ability to say no is a crucial part of this stage.
Define expectations
The next phase is the definition stage, which is when you will define the expectations of the project including the objectives and key results . This includes pre-conditions, design limitations, operational requirements, and functional requirements. Pre-conditions relate to the context in which the project needs to be conducted, i.e. approval requirements, working-condition regulations, and legislation. Design limitations are requirements regarding project realisation, for example, the inability to use certain international partners or the prohibition of toxic materials. Functional requirements are those relating to the quality of the project result while requirements after the project result are operational requirements.
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Design stage
This phase involves developing one or several designs, using the requirements outlined in the prior stage. This can involve the use of prototypes, site trees, flow charts, sketches, and alike, depending on the project nature. The project managers will then determine the best design approach.
Development phase
Next we have the development stage, where everything that was outlined in the design phase is put into place. This is where everything from instructions to schedules are implemented, and subcontractors, materials, and tools are arranged.
Implementation stage
The implementation phase is where the project takes shape. If you are building a property, this is when the contractors start building. If you are producing a software solution, programmers start with the coding. Of course, you may decide to outsource to an IT solutions company at this stage, rather than keeping it in-house. This is where you start ‘doing’. Expect changes and tweaks to occur along the way. Careful monitoring is required from project managers to ensure everything is on the right track and objectives are going to be attained.
Following up
A lot of people think that the implementation phase is the final part of the process, but this is not the case. Once the project is delivered, you need to follow up to ensure that you have reached your objectives. You may also need to implement the likes of writing a project report, evaluating the project and the results, setting up a help desk, and providing training for users. Of course, this depends on the nature of the project in question.
