Monthly Archives: September 2009

Who wants to be the Project Manager ?

Posted on by

ProjectMgmntGirlThe Project Manager contracts with the sponsor to manage the project that is defined in the project charter or project plan. In most organizations the project manager has authority to use money and resources as set out in the charter and NO MORE. If the project manager learns that the project budget is in danger of being exceeded reapproval on the new basis must be sought and gained. Otherwise the project manager loses all legitimacy.

The project manager’s role is in managing the project NOT in doing the work. The project manager may also do some of the work but that is not project management. Project management is a real activity and takes much time and effort, it also has it’s own discipline and body of knowledge. Neither is it the project manager’s job to know everything about the project but it is their job to ensure that the right expertise is available. Project Management expertise is the primary consideration because that is the prime need for the project management role.

‘Project Manager. The person assigned to performing organization to achieve the project objectives.’ – PMBOK guide.

Ref: The Definitive guide to project management – S.NOKES, S.KELLY FT

Be my sponsor pleeeeeeeeeeze……..

Posted on by

project sponsorOver the next few posts we are going to be taking a look at some of the key people involved in the project management process.

No matter what tools are utilized, or what the organizational structure is, it is PEOPLE that get things done.  It is people that execute and complete project activities.

One of the key people roles is the Project SPONSOR.

According to PMI the Sponsor is ‘The person or group that provides the financial resources, in cash or in kind, for the project’

More often than not the Sponsor is a Senior Manager in the Organization who wants the project done, normally because it will benefit them in some way.

A good Sponsor is one who understands how the performing organization works and can get things done. The Sponsor ensures that the required resources are made available for the project and that links are established to key areas in the organization. This requires good management skills and pragmatism.

The Sponsor has a business need for the project, the organization grants the Sponsor the resources and money and the Sponsor contracts with the Project Team to deliver the project.

In a project organization the Project Manager works for the Sponsor and the Sponsor works for the Business.

There will normally be little contact with the Sponsor apart from formal Project Reviews, however it is vital that the Sponsor is available to the Project Manager and has her “ear”.

For successful Project Execution a powerful and influencial Sponsor is of great benefit.

Why re-invent the wheel…

Posted on by

200022813-001During the product design stage it makes good sense to re-use previous design knowledge wherever possible. This may seem to be a bit of a lazy option but is valid for the following reasons:-

1) The existing design will have been fully validated and tested.

2) Considerable time and effort will be saved instead of  “re-inventing the wheel”

3) The existing design layout and supporting documentation already exists.

This doesn’t mean that innovation should stop, on the contrary any improvements in design should be incorporated into the new version.

Product design is an evolutionary process which makes best use of previous innovation.

Are you earning your value ?

Posted on by

Earned Value is a term which allows us to determine where we are in a PLN005project in terms of progress against plan.  If we talk about expended cost at a particular moment of time we have no idea whether we are ahead or behind the plan unless we measure the amount of work done and the time expended doing it.

Earned Value allows us to make a measured judgment and may be defined as “The value of work performed expressed in terms of the the approved budget assigned to that work for a scheduled activity” – PMBOK

Earned Value Technique integrates the time, cost and work done.

EV = Earned Value – Estimated Value of the actual work completed.

AC = Actual Cost – Actual cost charged for the work done so far.

CV = Cost Variance – Difference of Earned Value minus Actual Cost.

CV = EV – AC

A positive value means UNDER budget.

A negative value means OVER budget.

Earned Value Technique is a useful tool for measuring progress against plan and for helping to control budget effectively.

“Manchester, so much to answer for…” – Morrisey.

Posted on by

manchester02I had to go in to Manchester today and decided to “Park & Ride” and  take the Tram to beat the congestion on the roads. It made a pleasant change.

As the Tram trundled over the bridge across the Irwell, from Salford to Manchester I was rewarded with a rare view of the urban lanscape stretching out below me.

Many of the old disused mill buildings and warehouses have been converted into a plethora of loft apartments and studios. Many house small businesses and design studios and through the sheets of glass which separate these environments from the greater one beyond I could see people going about their daily work and play.

These historic buildings which once housed thousand of mill and factory workers decades or even centuries ago are now home to sophisticated urbanites manipulating computer screens or T.V remote controls.

Surrounding the older buildings are new structures, fantastic edifices of glass and steel stretching their limbs to the steel grey sky.

I could feel the ebb and flow of time.