Project Management Course: for new project managers– PMP/PMI

In this section I cover the following aspects of project initation:

1. How to assess and evaluate feasibility of project given assumptions and constraints

2. Define high level scope - what is to be done on this project

3. Stakeholder analysis – who your stakeholders are, what are their needs, how many stakeholders do you have, are there competing needs,

4. Capture your risks (anything that adverse impact the success of the project – not all risks are negative, assumptions, dependencies, and constraints (any limitations you have for this project)

5. Develop the project charter Obtain approval for project charter - your formal authorization for the project

In this section I explain the following steps a project manager should take to plan a project:

1. Finalize all project requirements – based on the scope of the project

2. Create your work breakdown structure – this document – captures all the tasks to be completed to deliver the project

3. Develop your budget plan – key strategy to ensure you stay within the define project

4. Develop your schedule – using the WBS as your input

5. Develop you HR plan - includes key things like – training for your team, work assignments, onboarding your team, etc

6. Communications Plan - This document highlight how you will keep All the stakeholders abreast on the progress of the project. IT includes the frequency of communication, what information is of particular interest to each stakeholder based on your analysis in the initiation phase, the tools for communication, the forums – in person, virtual, etc.

7. Procurement plan is used to manage all the items to be obtained for the project – it includes tools, any subcontracting needed for the project, what approach will be used to obtain what’s needed, etc.

8. Quality Management plan - everything to be done to ensure the project is delivered within acceptable quality and standards -

9. Change management Plan --- this document defines how changes will be received, reviewed, approved, and implemented - who will be involved in the process, the method for the review and approvals, etc.

10. Risk management Plan - this document defines how risks will be captured, recorded, analyzed, addressed, and tracked, throughout the project

11. The project management plan – which includes all activities, approach, to management the project should be formally reviewed and approved by senior management

12. Hold the kick off meeting - The kick off meeting is generally hosted by the project manager with all key stakeholders and project team - to formally present the key activities and plan for the project.

I explain the following closeout activities:

Verify Completion of project requirements and Perform formal project closeout

· Closeout project financial books

· Finalize and sign off all project records and documents

· Distribute financial reports to respective stakeholders

· Perform project lessons learned with the project team

· Obtain final customer feedback

1. Hold formal review meetings with customers to confirm satisfactory completing of all project requirements

a. Obtain formal sign off

b. Formally transfer product and all project deliverables to the customer

2. Financial close out

a. Review invoices received and Confirm money spent

b. Confirm vendors paid

c. Confirm remaining funds

d. Transfer outstanding funds to business

e. Obtain sign off

3. Administrative close-out

a. Complete all close out forms

b. Return any tools loaned for the project

c. Obtain any necessary sign offs

4. Distribute Reports to stakeholders

5. Perform lessons learned with the team