I am rather new to some of the fully blown PM functions. I have served as a project technical lead and sr. business analyst in the past.
I am currently involved with project coordinating, documenting, and assisting with the lead on a new project.
We have held 2 4-hour sessions to discuss the project and are trying to identify different areas: Objectives, requirements, assumptions, stakeholders needs vs wants, and everything that would make up the ideal system. The next 2 meetings will be to finish identifying in these areas and set the ground rules for phase I.
I am new to my current company and want to make a big bang with this as it is my third project (first one delayed due to funding, second near successful completion) and would like some guidance.
I want to make sure that everything is documented so the average Joe off the street can come in and take over my job. Therefore I know I need to have good organization and detailed documentation.
Any thoughts or places to direct me?
Thanks in advance for you consideration. Dave Saving Changes...
The first question I would ask is whether your new company has an existing project management discipline. If so, you may find the information you need relative to standards for documentation. However, it appears that this is not the case, given it is your third project with them, and you have posted this question on Gantthead.
Have you (or has someone else) already documented the two 4 hour meetings? How did he or she (or you) do it? Were these meetings intended to be project kickoff meetings or brainstorming sessions? It appears you have already touched on many of the key components which will need to be captured in the documentation: Objectives, requirements, assumptions, stakeholders needs vs wants, and everything that would make up the ideal system.
My recommendation would be to begin with a meaningful project charter, which will identify much of the above in a narrative fashion, and can serve as a roadmap for the next person to gain a core understanding of the project should there be a change. I believe this site has examples available, depending on your level of membership. Feel free to contact me directly if I can provide you an example. Hope this helps...
