The screens are built and currently going through UAT. One of the subject matter experts would like some enhancements to the screens; feeling that they won't provide the users with the most efficient way of doing things AND that there is not consistency with similar screens. The SME put this on the issues list. We are currently behind schedule.
I elevated this to the steering team. The decision was to move forward without making the enhancements.
The SME does have some valid points and can be a bit tenacious in something that she believes in. How do I deal with this? After all, I'm just the project manager and it is my understanding that if the steering team says something, that it should be followed.
Thoughts/comments?
Thanks! Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Digvijay SinghProject Manager| Mastek LimitedPune, India
Interesting and difficult situation!!! I assume you analyzed that if you deliver without the enhancements or the changes SME suggested, you are achiveing all the project objectives defined in your plan. No custome issue, quality issue you will face.
If you are in doubt that customer may not accept the delivery without those changes then it is difficult situation.
You are already behind schedule so I suggest you deliver if you are meeting all the requirements.
I am sure in future you will need to maintain something and that time new changes can be suggested keeping in mind that you should be charged extra for that.
These are unavoidable situations where normally we need to follow steering committe, project manager cannot take decision in such situation but waits for the right time to control the situation.
If you can provide some more facts, I may find some way out of it.
Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Hi Anonymous and welcome to project management! From your post, it sounds like everyone did their job brilliantly. The SME provided expert advice, this was advanced by the PMO to the steering committee, and the steering committee made their decision. In terms of dealing with the SME, I would thank them for their advice and inform them of the decision of the steering committee. Very well done! Saving Changes...
Elyse NielsenSenior Project Manager| Ascension Health Information ServicesHaines City, Fl, United States
Good Day Anonymous,
I think you have a great example of sponsorship at work. As Mark said everyone did their part. I would recommend placing the SME's suggestions on the work request list for after live. It can be prioritized by IT governance for when it makes sense to do in the support/maintain of the product.
Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
Ano
Good question. I do agree with Mark and Elyse everybody did a great job. However enhancements are per definition changes to the scope and therefore a cr needs to be raised. A change can be rejected or approved by the steerco. The third option is to defer to a next release as also mentioned by Elyse.
Suggest as the others say to thank the SME for his advice and explain the cr will be deferred if this is also agreed by the steerco
hopes this helps
Hans Saving Changes...
Digvijay SinghProject Manager| Mastek LimitedPune, India
I would like to add one more point in this regard. The point of time CR is raised is critical, If I play a role of customer PM, I would rather try to know immediately why these items are not handled during the development period, no new functionality is being developed in CR so it would be difficult to get it through customer approval.
After the application is stablized and things are cool, customer may react differently and may approve CR with other functioanlity based CRs if any. Saving Changes...
