Below you’ll find answers to some of the questions that we often get asked:
Put simply, a project is a set of tasks that must be completed within a defined timeline to accomplish a specific set of goals. These tasks are completed by a group of people known as the project team, which is normally led by a project manager. This person oversees the planning, scheduling, tracking and successful completion of projects.
Projects are different from normal BAU (business as usual) operational activities because they are typically unique, one-off and temporary with a defined start and finish. Due to the unique nature of projects, there is often a higher level of associated risk. The project manager will use their specialist skills and experience to understand and manage these risks to safeguard the successful outcome of the project.
A project can be anything, for example, developing or implementing a new software application, or merging or acquiring another company. It could include renovating a building, consolidating or restructuring a business, or implementing new processes, procedures and systems to meet new legislation, etc.
Sometimes the business change is of such scale and complexity that it requires a number of projects to achieve it. In this scenario the projects are separate, however, they all need to be delivered successfully for the business outcome to be achieved.
In this scenario, there can be a great benefit in grouping the projects together as a programme. A programme provides a unified view of progress, allowing optimal use of resources and people and ensures common standards across the projects.
We have talked about the fact that projects are generally unique and inherently risky. Ignoring this and trying to deliver a project as part of normal business operations (BAU) significantly increases the chances of failure. This includes not delivering what is needed, delivering it later then needed and / or at greater cost than expected.
Compare this to going to an experienced and well-trained surgeon for heart surgery. The consequences could be serious if they had no experience or training. When it comes to delivering projects, it is best to call upon an expert in project delivery rather than attempting to deliver it yourself. Putting your project or projects in the hands of an expert project or programme manager means that you can focus on doing what you do best – running your business!
There are significant benefits from having a project manager:
- There is a single person who is responsible for managing the project. If there are questions or concerns, this is the person who can quickly answer and resolve issues.
- An expert is managing and delivering the project – using specialist tools, techniques, and experience. This person has a proven track record of delivering projects. Therefore, it is much more likely that your project will be delivered on time, on budget and to the required quality.
- Reduces the risk to your business from a failed or late project – safeguards and potentially enhances capability and reputation. Acts as a source of competitive advantage.
- Removes the worry and stress from the business, allowing everyone else to get on with their own job. Makes the very best use of the available resources.
It would be easy to break into a lot of jargon at this point, talking about project plans, risk logs and status reporting. However, the true answer is – it depends! Rather than applying a blanket approach to everyone, we tailor our approach based upon our customer.
Our starting point is to quickly understand you as a business and what it is that you are trying to achieve. We also look at what you already have in place as far as a project and project management. Our team move quickly because we understand that sometimes time is very much of the essence. However, we won’t cut corners or make promises that we cannot keep. Our aim is to build a firm foundation to be able to work together – achieving a win / win.
A key aspect of projects is learning lessons and then feeding these into future projects. Over the years, this has allowed different project delivery frameworks and methodologies to develop around “best practice”.
Taking a waterfall approach generally means that the project starts by understanding the scope of requirements (what is needed). A plan is then created that goes sequentially through activities like design, build and testing before delivering the outcome. Broadly speaking, A leads to B leads to C etc, hence the naming convention of “waterfall”.
Agile is a different approach (of which there are many variations) and is based upon an agile manifesto that values:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
There is value in the items on the right, however, the items on the left are valued even more.
Each methodology has different ways of working, underpinned by a different set of tools.
An experienced project manager will be able to recommend the best project delivery methodology for any project.
We aim to respond to all customer enquiries within 24 hours. We appreciate that projects are often time critical.
Contact us for a free, confidential, no obligation discussion with a member of our team.
Alternatively, click below to find out more about ASTUTE, the services we offer and what sets us apart from the competition.
Do you have a project you’d like to discuss?
Maybe you would simply like to understand how we can make significant improvements to your business? Contact us now for a free, confidential, no obligation chat with a member of our team.
Alternatively, learn more information about ASTUTE and what sets us apart from our competitors.