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If you are not used to running projects, they can be daunting. They seem so different to "normal management" and to believe the press, they are always late and overspent and never deliver the intended benefits. So if you have a project you need to manage, don't worry, help is at hand. Whether you want to: Create a new capital asset Develop and introduce a new product or service Implement an organisational change Run a promotional campaign Whatever your project, it is important to meet the business objectives because that is how real success will be judged. Why projects are different They are transient and have a defined start and finish, not like the ongoing management tasks you might be used to. They need a different set of skills to plan, co-ordinate and control activities, budgets and programmes. They involve temporary teams of people from across departmental and functional boundaries. You need to get them to communicate, co-operate and perform. They often involve people from outside your company over whom you may have no formal authority. You need to deal with suppliers and sub-contractors on significant orders They are complex with many seemingly conflicting requirements, constraints and objectives. Some key questions Do you know what you want? Do you know what you need? What will you do if your needs and wants don't match? What if you get what you think you want and it isn't what you need?
Each project is a one off, a prototype and the reasons they go off the rail are as diverse as the contents, but typically one or more of the following are implicated. Inadequate input from the eventual user of the asset. Conflicts between stakeholders Vague requirements .. is everyone doing the same project? Poor cost and schedule estimation [often a failure to accept the inevitable] Inadequate team skills [failure to bring in expert support early on] Failure to plan [is planning to fail] Inadequate provision of support staff [trying to do it on the cheap is not cheap!] Communication Breakdown Inappropriate team structure Inappropriate approach to project Inadequate control systems Failure to act on early warning signs. Often projects set off on the wrong foot and never recover; it is crucial to put as much effort as possible into the early stages. Remember "Perfect Preparation Prevents Particularly Poor Performance". How we can help We can work with you to move you from your initial ideas and vague notions of what is required through to the successful conclusion of your programme. We can offer lifetime project management support - our particular strengths are in the "fuzzy front end" where we can help you turn your outline intentions into a well structured project definition ready action and set you on the path to a successful outcome. Specifically we can help you: Define a project scope that meets your requirements and everyone agrees with. Carry out feasibility studies to decide whether you should proceed or not or to decide between alternative approaches Produce plans, cost estimates and functional descriptions that are realistic, consistent and compatible. Select and develop the team to maximise performance. Carry out value engineering reviews to ensure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck Break the project down into logical work packages and allocate them to appropriate groups. Identify and assess partners, suppliers and sub-contractors Establish appropriate specifications and procurement approaches for each work package. Develop appropriate project standards and procedures Understand, characterise and manage risks Conduct independent reviews of project for compliance with your requirements and appropriate regulations. Facilitate learning from outcomes and experiences during and at the end of the project. Training, supporting and coaching your team so that they can manage the current and future projects
We have over 30 years successful experience in managing multi-million pound capital investment programmes. We have applied the same knowledge and skills to related areas including: Technology transfer Organisational development Marketing campaigns Rebranding campaigns New product development and introduction New technology introduction As you will see from the "What's New" page we have worked successfully with public sector organisations who are introducing Project Management as a general management framework. Additional Reading Jim Yates has also co-authored "Project Benefits Management: Linking Projects to the Business". The book is published by Butterworth-Heinemann and is part of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Project Management Series. More Information Here
Let us discuss how we can support your organisation. Telephone: +44 (0) 161 487 3520 Fax: +44 (0) 161 487 3520 Mobile: +44 (0) 774 058 9012 Email: jim@fulcrum-management.co.uk
