It’s time to continue working on self-improvement. This fourth article in a series exploring A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)—Fifth Edition through a lighthearted comparison to personal fitness improvement explores the Project Scope Management knowledge area.
The most significant challenge for any project manager is when projects shift modes. The shift from startup to execution, and the shift from execution to closeout, requires a change in mindset. Each shift needs the PM to adjust their focus and emphasis--and a corresponding change to how they deal with people.
In the real world, scope changes can be expected during the life cycles of most projects. Scope changes implemented once work has begun will have a greater effect on the project schedule and cost than changes implemented during the project initiation or planning phase; therefore, it is imperative that the project scope be well defined before the project work begins. The purpose of this paper is to help the reader better define project scope, give examples of some of the difficulties of managing project scope and the consequences and recommendations for dealing with those difficulties.
One of the scope management steps that can help to ensure that the WBS is as effective as possible in controlling the project’s scope is routinely ignored as unnecessary. But verifying your scope up front can save a lot of pain later.
Stakeholders are the key to success on a project, and you need to manage them toward that success. It’s more than just “normal” stakeholder management--it requires a PM who understands the business environment that he is delivering a project into.
For agile projects, redefining scope isn't such a creepy thing. This article
Often, if the planned costs do not meet project budget, the project manager will change the scope or finish date of the project to meet the budget constraints. Occasionally, however, it is possible for the project manager and the project team to develop creative means by which to adhere to the budget and still meet the project timeline and implement the original scope. This article is based on an actual project from a Fortune 500 company that was launched successfully in 2009. The project underwent major budget reductions while its original scope and time schedule were preserved. This article describes a broad set of project management activities that the project team managed throughout the project life cycle while reducing overall project costs and maintaining the integrity of the project.
Why is change control so important? With everything a project manager is responsible for, why so much concern over it? What does it really mean, and how do we perform it?
Change orders are unavoidable in construction projects but they can be controlled and reduced by applying appropriate project planning tools and processes. In this study, the author focuses on the change order cost in a recently completed construction management at risk (CMR) project in order to examine the types of change orders, the magnitude and numbers of change orders, and conclude the lessons learned.
Repeat after me: Just because it comes from the project team doesn’t make it okay...
The only constant in life is change--it comes to everybody whether they like it or not. The best way to handle it? Get over the hump and keep moving forward. Keep these tips in mind...
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I can't go to a bad movie by myself. What, am I gonna make sarcastic remarks to strangers? - Jerry Seinfeld |
