Successful project management : The Sunday Times

Part 1 What is success?: what happens to the project? defining success your view of success success depends on who is measuring what are the perceived causes of failure? reduce the probability of failure. Part 2 The climate for success: why do initiatives appear to fail? some definitions projects - are they just an accident? what's the current climate? what influences the climate? the operating climate for projects defined roles and responsibilities - the key players. Part 3 The project process - key steps for success: the project phases the phase gates the phase gate - a constraint? the key steps to success. Part 4 Project conception and start-up: selecting the right project the start-up process customer needs and expectations identifying the project constraints assumptions the kick-off meeting recording essential information. Part 5 The definition phase: the project brief and specification defining the project getting your project definition approved. Part 6 Managing the stakeholders: what is a stakeholder? the two most important stakeholders who are the other stakeholders? who will use the results? stakeholder influence gathering information about stakeholders. Part 7 Managing the risks: why bother? understanding constraints identifying the risks assessing the risks ranking of risks what do I do now? monitoring risks. Part 8 Planning the project: a common misconception who needs to be involved? where does planning start? identifying the key stages allocating responsibility estimating the critical path of your project analyse resource requirements optimising your schedule review the project risk log review the project budget freezing the baseline schedule seeking approval to launch. Part 9 Launching and executing the project: preparing for project execution establish a milestone schedule have a communication plan handling project changes hold a launch meeting the control environment monitoring the progress managing the issues arising tracking your project control the costs. Part 10 Closure and post-project evaluation: project drift set the completion criteria the acceptance process checklist the closeout meeting post-project evaluation and finally.