The Good: The National Ignition Facility Project
A great example of excellent project management skills is the National Ignition Facity (NIF) Project, which won the 2010 Project of the Year Award, an honor granted by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The NIF project was the largest scientific construction project completed by the US Department of Energy, resulting in the world’s largest and most powerful laser system. It was done by a highly competent team of government, academic, and industrial partners.
The NIF project was the largest scientific construction project completed by the US Department of Energy, resulting in the world’s largest and most powerful laser system. It was done by a highly competent team of government, academic, and industrial partners.
- The team established a well designed completion criteria for the project, which was followed almost to the letter.
- The establishment of a good technical cost and schedule-based line.
- They developed new technologies based on existing ones, relying on a thorough and extensive research.
- The focus of the project was to make sure the new technology will be implemented for 30 years, so the team made sure everything was working properly and that it met the requirements to maintain longevity.
- The team set working groups with members from different organizations, collaborating to solve problems.
- The project was designed to comply with the Systems Engineering Organization’s precise specification and tolerance standards.
In sum, the success of this project was thanks to good communication and collaboration skills between stakeholders, and also thanks to a very detailed project plan based on thorough research and innovations.
Sources: PMI's 2010 Winner / NIF website
The Bad: California DMV Project
In 1987, California’s DVM started a project intended to revamp the drivers license and registration systems. The goal - though unclear - of the project was to transfer over 70 million user records into a new relational database. 6 years and $45 million dollars later, the project was deemed a failure, so it got shut down by the state authorities.
- The team did not have enough knowledge and understanding of the new technology.
- There was no correlation between the technology’s capabilities and the agency’s goals.
- Procurement restrictions required the agency to use a specific hardware platform, without possibility to explore other kinds.
- No support or trust from the DMV technical community or from the executive management.
- Poor planning and poor design specifications, given the objectives of the project were unclear.
Sources: University at Albany Publication / The Standish Group Report
ReplyDeleteTag: PM201A57. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it
1. Plan your day using time management techniques
As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.
If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.
Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager
2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations
While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.
Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.
Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.
3. Regularly communicate with your team
Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.
For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.
4. Anticipate project setbacks
Even the best-laid plans often go awry.
Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.
Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.
Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.
Related post: 92 free project management templates
5. Stay focused on the details
A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.
Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.
And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs
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