StartingOverNow.com
Articles
Six Steps to Launch Your Project Over the
Horizon
In business most ideas that never make it to completion die in the
execution phase. Often this is because a simple plan was not in
place from the beginning to insure that the pace of the project stays
on track with the projected purpose and milestones. Below are six
concrete steps that will help you define a project, evaluate if it is in
alignment with your purpose and viable to succeed, define who
needs to be involved and the risk at play, and what the measurable
outcome will be. Included are links to forms that will help you
manage the process to success!
Six Steps to Project Management Success
1. Develop a Solid Business Case and Create a Project Definition
Form: Ensure that your project is in alignment with the mission of
the company, the agenda of your department and has support of the
senior management team. Involve finance experts when putting
together the case. Recognize early what is driving the project –
safety?, quality?, productivity?, cost? human development? etc. You
may need to do a Risk Analysis, listing potential risks, rating them at
high-medium-low and who will be responsible for managing that
risk. The Business Case Form will include: Background to the
Project, General aims(s), Initial Risks, Expected Outcomes, Benefits
of the Project, Initial Estimates of Cost and Time. This Case may
also be used to create a Project Definition Form for easy access to
all responsible parties.
2. Write a Project Definition Statement: Create this as part of your
Business Case to prevent “creep”ing away from the purpose.
Circulate this to those who do not need the detail of the Business
Case.
3. Do a Stakeholder Analysis to Create Your Team: Define each
stakeholder, their interest in the project, what the projects needs
from them, perceived attitudes and/or risks, and actions you need
them to take.
4. Define Project Responsibilities: Make a list of the
tasks/responsibilities then assign which stakeholder will lead each
one.
5. Create a Milestones Chart: List each milestone to be
accomplished, who is responsible for it and suitable units of
measure whether it is days/weeks/months/years.
6. Create a Project Management Report: This report will track the
progress of the project and head off derailment. It holds a list of the
deliverables from the Milestones Chart, a due date for each, a rating
for each (ie: Red Flag - off plan, Yellow - will soon be off plan, Green
- on plan or better), and action to be taken to bring the plan back on
schedule. This is a key document to the success of the project. A
schedule of when this Project Management Report is due and
analyzed should be set up ahead of time.
Make your projects soar with the right planning upfront and the right
tracking along the way. Start now!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee’s tips on Twitter
at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee’s free tip sheets on “Feel the Fear – How to Build Self
Confidence” and “Replace the Mad Hatter with Your Personal Plan”
at http://www.startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html.
Mary Lee Gannon is the president of Gannon Group - a full service
executive coaching, training and consulting firm that provides
turnaround strategies for people and organizations by improving
team performance, executive leadership skills, board performance,
planning and project execution. Mary Lee’s personal turnaround
came as a stay-at-home mother, with four children under seven-
years-old, who endured a divorce that took she and the children
from the country club life to public assistance from where within a
short time she worked out of that to the level of CEO. Her book
"Starting Over - 25 Rules for When You've Bottomed Out" is
available in bookstores, on Amazon or on her web site at www.
StartingOverNow.com.
Horizon
In business most ideas that never make it to completion die in the
execution phase. Often this is because a simple plan was not in
place from the beginning to insure that the pace of the project stays
on track with the projected purpose and milestones. Below are six
concrete steps that will help you define a project, evaluate if it is in
alignment with your purpose and viable to succeed, define who
needs to be involved and the risk at play, and what the measurable
outcome will be. Included are links to forms that will help you
manage the process to success!
Six Steps to Project Management Success
1. Develop a Solid Business Case and Create a Project Definition
Form: Ensure that your project is in alignment with the mission of
the company, the agenda of your department and has support of the
senior management team. Involve finance experts when putting
together the case. Recognize early what is driving the project –
safety?, quality?, productivity?, cost? human development? etc. You
may need to do a Risk Analysis, listing potential risks, rating them at
high-medium-low and who will be responsible for managing that
risk. The Business Case Form will include: Background to the
Project, General aims(s), Initial Risks, Expected Outcomes, Benefits
of the Project, Initial Estimates of Cost and Time. This Case may
also be used to create a Project Definition Form for easy access to
all responsible parties.
2. Write a Project Definition Statement: Create this as part of your
Business Case to prevent “creep”ing away from the purpose.
Circulate this to those who do not need the detail of the Business
Case.
3. Do a Stakeholder Analysis to Create Your Team: Define each
stakeholder, their interest in the project, what the projects needs
from them, perceived attitudes and/or risks, and actions you need
them to take.
4. Define Project Responsibilities: Make a list of the
tasks/responsibilities then assign which stakeholder will lead each
one.
5. Create a Milestones Chart: List each milestone to be
accomplished, who is responsible for it and suitable units of
measure whether it is days/weeks/months/years.
6. Create a Project Management Report: This report will track the
progress of the project and head off derailment. It holds a list of the
deliverables from the Milestones Chart, a due date for each, a rating
for each (ie: Red Flag - off plan, Yellow - will soon be off plan, Green
- on plan or better), and action to be taken to bring the plan back on
schedule. This is a key document to the success of the project. A
schedule of when this Project Management Report is due and
analyzed should be set up ahead of time.
Make your projects soar with the right planning upfront and the right
tracking along the way. Start now!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee’s tips on Twitter
at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee’s free tip sheets on “Feel the Fear – How to Build Self
Confidence” and “Replace the Mad Hatter with Your Personal Plan”
at http://www.startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html.
Mary Lee Gannon is the president of Gannon Group - a full service
executive coaching, training and consulting firm that provides
turnaround strategies for people and organizations by improving
team performance, executive leadership skills, board performance,
planning and project execution. Mary Lee’s personal turnaround
came as a stay-at-home mother, with four children under seven-
years-old, who endured a divorce that took she and the children
from the country club life to public assistance from where within a
short time she worked out of that to the level of CEO. Her book
"Starting Over - 25 Rules for When You've Bottomed Out" is
available in bookstores, on Amazon or on her web site at www.
StartingOverNow.com.
StartingOverNow.com
Articles
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"Worksheets and
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FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
Turnaround Solutions for People & Organizations
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
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FREE Resources
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
| Mary Lee Gannon is interviewed on Mind Your BIZness |
Listen to Mary
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Gannon Group/StartingOverNow.com
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Get the FREE e-Book "Lead Your
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Mary Lee Gannon's
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
Follow Mary Lee's tips
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