By Wendy Raulin, PMP, Senior Consultant, Technology Management
While the topic of project management may not light a fire under your desk, it is the hottest thing available to ensure success in your next endeavor. Why? In the simplest terms, project management brings balance and structure throughout the effort. Without effective project management, your endeavor will most likely take longer, cost more, and end on a bad note.
The phrase “measure twice and cut once” is a great way to think of successful project management. If all is planned well in advance and managed throughout the process, a project will run more efficiently. And you’ll be more likely to achieve the results you desire.
The urge to jump in the deep end and embark on the implementation of sorely needed technology is hard to resist. However, you wouldn’t build your next home without carefully selecting the builder, having detailed blueprints developed, completing inspections along the way, and testing the plumbing before moving in. The same holds true when selecting and implementing technology.
Be strong. Remember: measure twice, cut once.
At a minimum, before starting your next technology endeavor, be sure to get answers to the following questions.
- What are we aiming to accomplish with this project?
- Who are the stakeholders and how do we ensure their buy-in?
- Using measurable matrices, how will we know we are successful?
- What skill sets will we need to ensure success? If the relevant resources are not available in-house, where will we turn for the resources?
- How will we select the most appropriate solution?
- What are the tasks and/or milestones associated with this effort, how long will it take, and when will it be considered complete?
- How will we keep the project moving forward? How will tasks be assigned and tracked?
- What organizational requirements does this project support? What problems will it solve?
- How will we manage changes to our business processes to fully embrace the new technology?
- How will we keep the budget on track?
If you’re having trouble answering these questions, you may need to tap the resources of a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP). PMI, the Project Management Institute, is the leading association for the project management profession and credentials professionals through rigorous education and testing. There are 300,000 credential holders worldwide in 185 countries—and two of them are right here at DelCor. Connect with us to see how we can get your project off to a smooth start, keep it on track, and reap the rewards and successes of a well-managed endeavor.