Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
I'd like to know what is the preferred approach when addressing the project management plan and/or its subsidiaries (Communication Mgmt Plan, Change Mgmt Plan, Procurement Mgmt Plan, etc.).
Do you use a template that is then customized to every project or do you start from scratch for every project? Look forward to your replies. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
You should never start from scratch unless absolutely necessary, Eduard.
Your first source of templates should be the Organizational Process Assets. This is because these templates should already comply with the organization's policies.
Your second source of templates should be previous projects' artefacts to which you have access. This could be your own projects or a colleague's.
It is important to tailor - I prefer that term to customize - the templates to your project. Make sure to document your tailoring decisions: what you changed and why.
...
1 reply by Markus Kopko
Jan 17, 2017 6:39 AM
Markus Kopko
...
Hello Edward,
i do also echo Stephane's comment (on the point as always ;) ).
In addition i want to say, if there is a PMO in your organization (or the customers organization) then this should be your first try to gain something as a starting point.
If not and you really do need to start from scratch, then you can find some good examples/templates on the internet, which you might use as a starting point and which you need to customize for your needs.
To provide a project management plan as a basis, fully aligned to the PMBoK Guide and easily to use and to tailor is also one of the main goals of my MP4Pm initiative.
If we are ready (what still will need some time to be honest) you will receive a complete project management plan which covers all the PMBoK Guide processes and deliverables and which can easily be tailored to any specific project.
And even it is mind map based it will provide other formats also.
Just refer to my blog here at pm.com to have a cloeser look already.
Regards,
Markus
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Hi Eduard, I agree with Stéphane. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Glad to see such unanimous responses. Thank you Stéphane for your comment, it makes total sense. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Glad to help, Eduard. Saving Changes...
LORI WILSONRETIRED - Technical Project Manager| RETIRED - LifePoint HealthClarkston, Wa, United States
Hello Eduard: In my company, we have a strong PMO with a software program that automatically creates a template for a new project plan. This template already includes things that one would need for any project and then I build additional items into the plan - but, it gives me a great foundation to start with! The project plan is also tied to our financials and time cards for anyone who works on the project. It is a sophisticated software that is relatively new for our company. I am still learning a lot about this tool, but it offers many advantages like helping me out with a great start for the project plan!
...
1 reply by Markus Kopko
Jan 17, 2017 6:43 AM
Markus Kopko
...
Hi Lori,
sounds great and it is always a very good thing if a company has implemented such a software tool, which is highly integrated in the company's organizational processes. Congratulations.
Just one thing here, cause you are talking of the project plan.
Since you do not have specified what is delivered with this plan i just want to mention that the project plan is not the schedule (alone) and it is also not the project management plan (in the definition of the PMBoK Guide).
I am sure that you are completely aware of this, but just to avoid misunderstandings for readers who are might be not.
...to add some thoughts on the right hints above:
- use a structured documentation platfrom like SharePoint or SAP Solution Manager (in case of SAP Project documentation requirements)
- Enterprise Architect for integrated requirements documentation with BPMN based process documentation Saving Changes...
My perfect project, when I've worked with a PMO, they provided me all templates...was amazing!
My worst nightmare, when I've worked (time time ago...) in a small company and I've created all the templates from scratch, why? Because they didn't have OPA, was one of my first projects as a Project Coordinator/Assistant, and I wasn't aware of this website, possibly I could have found something to helped me.
I'm with Stéphane, you should never start from scratch. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
In my case is a template because our project deliverables are components inside a governance process. Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Jan 16, 2017 7:18 AM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
...
You should never start from scratch unless absolutely necessary, Eduard.
Your first source of templates should be the Organizational Process Assets. This is because these templates should already comply with the organization's policies.
Your second source of templates should be previous projects' artefacts to which you have access. This could be your own projects or a colleague's.
It is important to tailor - I prefer that term to customize - the templates to your project. Make sure to document your tailoring decisions: what you changed and why.
Hello Edward,
i do also echo Stephane's comment (on the point as always ;) ).
In addition i want to say, if there is a PMO in your organization (or the customers organization) then this should be your first try to gain something as a starting point.
If not and you really do need to start from scratch, then you can find some good examples/templates on the internet, which you might use as a starting point and which you need to customize for your needs.
To provide a project management plan as a basis, fully aligned to the PMBoK Guide and easily to use and to tailor is also one of the main goals of my MP4Pm initiative.
If we are ready (what still will need some time to be honest) you will receive a complete project management plan which covers all the PMBoK Guide processes and deliverables and which can easily be tailored to any specific project.
And even it is mind map based it will provide other formats also.
Just refer to my blog here at pm.com to have a cloeser look already.
Community Champion
