How likely to succeed is a project? Acid test 2
Dr. John R. Thomas
Experienced Mentor and Coach of Modern Management Methods at Dr. John R Thomas Associates
This is the fifteenth in a series of thoughts about what I have learned from a lifetime working in Continuous Improvement.
I have been posting my thoughts on key lessons I have learned during this time – and what mistakes (and there are many!) to avoid.
This week I am going to return to the subject of project management : a field I have participated in and lectured on for over 25 years.
Here is my contention :
"Before even starting a project you need to take the 2 Acid Tests of Project Management!"
In my last post on the subject I outlined the first Acid test of Project management :
Does the project environment satisfy the following conditions :
- Is there pressure for change?
- Does sufficient leadership and vision exist within the organisation?
- Does the potential project team have the necessary competencies?
- Is there a culture of project management?
- Is there a W.I.F.M. factor? (What's in it for me?)
If, after asking these questions, you still feel you need to press on with the project, then you should apply the second acid test :
This consists of four questions :
- Is the project Core or Marginal to the organisation?
- Is this type of project Novel or Familiar to the organisation?
- Has the project got to be completed in a Rapid or Gradual time-scale?
- Is this project Controversial or Uncontroversial to the stakeholders?
The more Core/Novel/Rapid/Controversial the project, then the wider the range of expertise and management techniques such as ...
- QUAD analysis
- Risk analysis
- Stakeholder mapping
- Planning methodologies
... will be required to manage the process.
This will be the subject of more in-depth discussion in subsequent posts.
If you would like to contribute to this debate – whether in agreement or against, then –
- You can comment on my Linkedin posts and updates
- E-mail me directly on [email protected]
- Comment on my website www.drjrt.com
I look forward to hearing from you.