...Eight Key Factors to Ensuring Project Success Author: Duncan Haughey Version 1.0 Introduction As the project manager you are ultimately responsible for delivering a successful project. The buck stops with you, so it is in your interest to ensure relevant tools and techniques are deployed to make this happen. Some of the following may sound obvious, but I encounter these basic mistakes month in month out with project managers scratching their heads wondering where it all went wrong. Business Case Ensure that there is a strong business case, with high level support that everyone can buy into. The business case is the justification for the project and should list the expected benefits. This is something everyone involved in the project can focus on and the reason why the project is taking place. Projects move us from one state to another by deliver a change, product or other desired outcome, with the business case explaining why. Critical Success Factors Define with the customer the Critical Success Factors that will make the project a success. Ensure that you make them measurable, for example, a 20% reduction in the cost of raw materials by the end of the year. Use these factors at the end of the project to measure your success. This is all that counts and the must have items the project needs to achieve. All other issues are secondary to these as the Critical Success Factors effectively form your contract with the customer. Planning Time spent planning is time...
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...Team Building Toolkit KEYS - Keys to Enhance Your Supervisory Success University of California, Berkeley Developed by Suzy Thorman and Kathy Mendonca Learning + Organizational Development Table of Contents Stages of Team Development ................................................................................................ 4 Team Building at a Glance ..................................................................................................... 5 How to Run Successful Team Building Activities - Tips for the Facilitator .............................. 11 All Stages – Team Building Exercises and Tools .................................................................... 13 Staff Meeting Check-ins ...................................................................................................................... 13 Meeting Opener – Pack Up Your Troubles.......................................................................................... 15 Forming Stage – Team Building Exercises and Tools ............................................................. 16 Shared Values...................................................................................................................................... 16 Creating a Shared Vision ..................................................................................................................... 18 Developing a Mission ..........................................................................................
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...environment is necessary to the success of all projects. The project leader must have the appropriate skill set to successfully understand how to lead diverse teams and identify, lead conflict in a positive manner and communicate appropriately to our customers. We want to ensure that our customers are receiving what product that they have requested. The project leader will also ensure the customer is full satisfied with all status updates and agrees with the timelines the project team has assembled. We want to ensure that the project team and the customer clearly understand the end result and the timeline needed. The problem is project team does not have a single goal and the customer is changing the requirements each week. The customer does not understand the changes being requested will delay the project timeline and other deliverables that are dependent upon each phase. As the project leader I have identified some issues that need to be addressed immediately to ensure the project phases and timelines are being met for our customer: 1. Define single goal for customer and project team to be in sync 2. Understand phase requirements and timelines 3. Provide written communication confirming goal, requirements, phases and timelines to customer and project team The first phase of the project was not completed within the timeframe the customer requested for the following reasons: • The project team did not have a project leader to identify scope, requirements...
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...or campaign relies heavily on a marketing team’s ability to manage time effectively. Success comes with perseverance, but also, the marketing team needs to manage their time correctly and organize their thoughts. Time can work against the marketing team if their time is not managed efficiently, also if the marketing team is not organized it can further complicate the marketing team chance to prevail. Success is dependent on a lot of different factors, but one thing is for certain; a successful marketing strategy requires a great deal of time management and strong organizational skills. Time management will give one of the best chances to be successful in marketing. As a team leader delegates assignments, the focus will be slowly on how to use all resources properly with ample time. Given the proper time, the marketing team can easily prepare to research, edit, revise and proofread the project on hand. “As they say, "We don't plan to fail; we fail to plan." Don't let a "nonexistent" marketing plan guide your business.” (VanVranken, 2012). What Van Vranken means is always to draw a plan for success, because if the team fails to plan, then the team is planning on failing. Time management provides a base so all projects will meet the current deadline without the need to rush. With all success in life, no matter if it's a project or real world, time management is a key factor for anyone's success rate. So again, each marketing strategy needs ample time to evolve and succeed as well...
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...rols in current IT world Project management is about being controlled from the start of the job to the end. Efficient and effective teams with a leader that can encourage cooperation and motivate to get outcome as all are working toward the same goal. It is in everyone’s best attention to work together to the works success. Project management is appropriate to many businesses and organizations. Some basic industries that use project management include Information technology, telecommunication, construction, software development, banking, manufacturing, professional engineering and architecture, computers. Project management is important because tough budgets, reducing resources, limited time constraints, and competition to improve the methods we do business in the competitive environment. The great ability of project management makes it possible to focus on priorities, track and measure performance, overcome challenges and issues, become flexible enough to adjust to change and reach higher performance and a higher probability of success in each and every project. The challenges of project management most especially the high hopes from senior management combined with little or no hierarchical permission are powerful, but project managers can influence the entire path of an organization. Project management is very important in today's business environment when one considers the repercussions of the lack of good project management or when project management is not successful...
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...however, changed the face of investment. Not only did they create a new layer of wealth, but they also provided RPD's newer, technically innovative competitors with a host of new tools with which to tap into it. To keep up with technology and tap into the new layer of wealth, RPD implemented an online trading program, eRPD. RPD did not, however, define the scope of the project, nor did its project manager make accurate estimates of the costs, time and resources needed for completion of the project. As a result, eRPD failed to give the customers a system that was reliable and easy to use. Recently, on a very volatile trading day, customers could not log into their account. When one investor finally did, stock and index quotes were inaccurate, giving a false sense that the damages were not as bad as he initially thought. By the time the corrected quotes were reported, it was too late for the investor to do anything. To keep up with technology and tap into the new source of wealth, RPD must first clearly define the scope of the project. They need to accurately estimate time, cost, and other resources, such as key personnel. By hastily implementing eRPD without definition of scope, accurate estimates, prioritizing and developing means to measure and manage the performance of the program could backfire and alienate the new sources of...
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...one, and evaluate the approach taken to measurement “recommended” by the BBC. Key Success Factors Identify and Measure the organisation {SWOT&PEST) Key Performance Indicators Balance Scorecard Appraisal & Review of Business Policy Measurement 4 4 5 6 7 9 3 How should the senior team in BBC Broadcasting & Presentation develop their thinking to sustain the momentum of total quality/business excellence? Pillars and Dimensions of Total Quality Management Customer Focus Continuous Improvement Employee Investment and Empowerment Systems Thinking Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle Leadership Customer Focus through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) European Forum for Quality Management (EFQM) Balance Scorecard Programme Management Process (BSPM) Establishment and set up of Programme Office Strategic Analysis Strategic Development Strategic Implementation Strategic Implementation: Measure and Appraise 10 11 11 12 14 14 15 16 16 17 19 19 21 22 22 23 4 Conclusion 24 5 Bibliography 25 Executive Summary BBC Broadcasting & Presentation began their quality journey when their mission statement was emerged out of a lengthy process. They develop objectives that connected to their mission. To deliver their mission they had critical success factors and key performance indicators than linked to the critical success factors. They also assigned owners to each critical process and total quality measures...
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...Final Paper 07/14/2014 Andrew Caples The key stakeholder that I would need requirement from within the Riordam Manufactor are, the Chief of Executive operation, the executive assistant, the Senior Vice President, Chief of Operation Officer, Board members and section workers. These are the people who action affects the company on a large scale. If they don’t do well then the company does not do well. There action does not only effect the company outcome but the other stakeholder who invest in the company. This includes the outside investors too. Now that I have determined who the key stakeholders are, it is time for me to gather information. In order to get the correct information need for a project, I have chosen several methods that should contribute to the success of project. The first method will be one-on-one interviews. The method will help get the information I want by allowing me to ask questions that I develop. This type of information gathering will leave nothing to be left unanswered. The next method I will use is the Joint application method. This helps because whatever requirement that needs to be fulfill will be before the session can end. Another method I will use is the follow people around. Sometime it is hard for people to truly explain their job or daily routine. Now you can get an up close and personal view of daily activities. You can get a better understanding and see the entire picture of someone job. In some situation one may be able to get a hands-on...
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...initial debt required to start the company. In the current climate of geological engineering services the growth due to national and local regulations is trending up. This allows new companies to startup and become profitable very quickly. The market is growing at such a large rate that the effects on another geo-engineering company due to the success of this company will be minimal. The strong industry growth will allow several similar companies to thrive and become financially stable. Diversity in clients will be the key to sustained success in the industry. This is a vital point in CGA’s business plan and if attained will allow them many years of financial success. The experience that Mr. Martin Cooper will be deploying in his staff as well as on his management team will be a strong key to the initial and long-term success of CGA. A diverse and dedicated staff with years of experience will give the company a strong marketing tool. The staff is not only experienced in geo-engineering services but well respected in the industry. The diverse staff will allow the company to focus on key areas to service and customize each project to fit the needs of the client; therefore strengthening the bond between the company and its clients. CGA’s strong experience and diverse staff will provide them a strong reputation in the geo-engineering industry. The focus of services to a specific centralized...
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...Project Control and Evaluation Paper Lenny Purce CMGT410 05/14/2014 Professor: Susan Peterson Project Control and Evaluation Paper Introduction The Network Enterprise Center (NEC) has begun its annually training project and is now in the execution phase of the training. During this phase of training, I will discuss topics such as control, risk factors, how to measures project quality and I will explain the post –implementation review and will end with the summary. Potential risk that could impact project success: There are unlimited risks that can impact the project’s success; here are just two that could impact the Network Enterprise Center’s training. 1. During day one of training, it was determined that the guest speaker, will not arrive until day two of the training, due to a mix up in the scheduling. The training manager received the word on the day of training and informed the Director of the Network Enterprise Center and held a meeting to determine an alternate course of actions. Prior to the start of the training the decision was made that the Director would fill in the slot for the Guess Speaker; this action was in the Network Enterprise Center’s contingency plan and will remain there until otherwise changed. 2. After the arrival of the personnel involved in the training project, it was determined that there are more people than expected attending this training project and that this will impact the conference room because of the capacity and the...
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...ITM 423: System Acquisition, System Development and Project Management Module 5: IT Operations, Controls, Reporting and Maintenance Case Assignment May 2014 Term July 20, 2014 Assignment: Prepare a 4-6 page paper following the point/counterpoint model in addressing the following topic: “Discuss and recommend how to maintain effective accountability in project management” Discuss and recommend how to maintain effective accountability in project management Being able to deliver and complete a project on schedule, on budget and meet or exceed the expectations of the stakeholders is not just a dream, but is something every project manager aims to achieve (Barron & Barron, 2011). However, in order to achieve these results it clearly requires active participation from everyone on the team and clear communication skills. Most project managers, if not all of them will tell you that communication is the most important aspect of their job and if not done properly then accountability is not likely to happen. While this key aspect is true, there are also other components of project management cycle that are often ignored that also take away from maintaining effective accountability. For this assignment we’ll discuss ways for the project manager to maintain this control and how accountability feeds into the overall success of the project. We’ll also cover some counterpoints to the arguments to see that even when the project manager plays their cards right there may be other...
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...Personal Responsibility – Key to Success There are a number of doors that lead to success, and personal responsibility is a key to most of those doors. Personal responsibility is an ability to handle issues, tasks and problems on one’s own. Personal responsibility is very important. Responsible people know how to balance their school, work, and personal lives, keeping their lives in harmony. Responsible people know how to prioritize and schedule their time accordingly, so that they rule the day and not allowing the day to rule them. Responsible person may fall into perfectionism, but there are strategies and techniques to avoid such pitfall. Personal responsibility is the key to success. Responsible people know how to prioritize and schedule their time accordingly. Things that are urgent and important need to be done first, while things that are not urgent and not important can be saved for later. People who are responsible take charge of their day, instead of allowing the day to control them. Ellis (2011) stated, “When you set goals and manage time, your life does not just happen by chance. You are on equal terms with the greatest sculptor, painter, or playwright. More than creating a work of art, you are designing a life” (p. 74). Indrawan agrees, “freedom is found in personal responsibility” (Indrawan, 2011, para. 2). According to Indrawan (2011), when her clients decide to take personal responsibility for who they are, what they do, and what they think, as opposed to...
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...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1598-2688.htm AJQ 13,3 An analysis of critical success factors for Six Sigma implementation Sunil Sharma Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, and 294 Anuradha R. Chetiya Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India Abstract Purpose – The success of Six Sigma implementation is known to depend on a number of critical factors. The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse Six Sigma critical success factors (CSFs) in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations. Design/methodology/approach – Although Six Sigma success factors have been amply researched in the global context, in this paper, a maiden attempt is made to identify, through an extensive literature review, the CSFs for Six Sigma implementation followed by their validation and prioritization using primary data collection from Indian companies. A total of 22 CSFs have thus been compiled through an extensive literature review. These CSFs are then validated through an empirical research of select Indian manufacturing companies at various stages of implementation of the Six Sigma process improvement methodology. Findings – A factor analysis was used to finally reduce the 22 factors to seven groups of underlying CSFs, the top factors being use of right tools, measurement assurance, innovation and supplier collaboration. Based on the...
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................. 1 How to Develop and Use Stakeholder Analysis................................................................. 2 1. Identifying the key stakeholders and their interests (positive or negative) in the project ..........2 2. Assessing the influence and importance of each stakeholder as well as the potential impact of the project upon each stakeholder .................................................................................................4 3. Identifying how best to engage stakeholders ...........................................................................4 General Lessons............................................................................................................................5 References............................................................................................................................. 6 This document is intended as a resource to support the implementation of the WWF Standards of Conservation Project and Programme Management. Stakeholder analysis is an important component of many of the steps in these standards. This document may change over time; the most recent version can be accessed at: https://intranet.panda.org/documents/folder.cfm?uFolderID=60976 Written by: Bronwen Golder, WWF-US and Meg Gawler, ARTEMIS Services. Edited by: Foundations of Success Please address any comments to Sheila O’Connor (soconnor@wwfint.org)....
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...judging by main stream literature one would conclude that the key impediment to successful project management is deficiency in execution skills. With this I mean to include the hard skills progressively elaborated on in such project management guides like the PMBOK or PRINCE2. These include the areas of knowledge, the key processes as well as the tools and techniques required to drive a successful project. More contemporary literature, primarily promoted in leading blogs and discussion groups, expands on the importance of exercising precision while determining what DONE looks like, how percentage compete is to be objectively and correctly measured, the proper and necessary use of Earned Value Management, Monte Carlo simulations, etc. If I were to step back and analyze the evidence before me I would easily conclude that the ‘art’ of project management is largely dependent on the skillful execution of a set of technical recipes – the correct carrying out of which will result in project success. There is, however, an issue with accepting the above premise. Academic research carried out by Prof. Bent Flyvbjerg, examining transport infrastructure projects worldwide, has concluded that cost escalation is the norm and not the exception, with almost nine out of 10 projects exhibiting some level of cost overruns. It further found that cost escalation has not decreased over the past 70 years (which means that we have not been seen to be doing a better job at estimation in recent years...
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