Hi Geary,
Thanks for the thoughtful response and wonderful example of the need to constantly evaluate things. Would you say that the lesson plans were a project? I'm wondering if there are certain types of activities that fall into the category and if so, what makes something a "project"?
Dr. Eric Goodman
Agree that all phases are important. One key thought is with the economic turmoil and the uncertainty of world politics, at any given moment a well-planned project at any stage may be scrapped or completely need to be written. When 911 took place, all lesson plans that fellow police officers were scheduled for the upcoming year was scrapped. The financial aspect of the yearly police project was spent and a total reevaluation of how to meet the immediate needs had to be reevaluated. Priorities changed, finances were depleted, and the uncertainty of what should be a prioritized now was uncertain in the minds of upper management to include what the local and state government. A well planned project going by all the steps listed in this course can sometimes lead to a very different ending.
Lawrence,
Great point about the importance of all the phases and you are right that it is critical to the long term success. I'm wondering what you mean by the risks if the project is not created? Would you please elaborate?
Dr. Eric Goodman
Jose,
Excellent point and I'm not sure that most would agree about this since defining and organizing is only part of the picture. It certainly provides the need and objective as you point out. Have you ever been on a project that lacked a clear definition?
Dr. Eric Goodman
All four phases are important in relation to each other, however, the defining and organizing phase establishes the purpose and direction of the project that the other phases build off of. This first phase provides the information that is critical for the long term success of a department, sbu, or the organization along with the risks if the project is not created.
I think most of us agree that the most important phase is the first one, defining and organizing the project. This is what gives direction to the project. If the project does not have a clear need and objective, then it would not solve anything. During this phase roles and responsibilities are defined, assigning the responsibility to the wrong person can delay the project.
Darrell,
Great point and how do you think you can avoid that happening based on what you've learned?
Dr. Eric Goodman
I think the planning section fo the project is very important because I see many projects start out for one purpose but by the time the project is complete it is actually dealing with other problems and nto solving the problems originally designed.
Rick,
Excellent points about the importance of both the plan and the people!
Dr. Eric Goodman
I agree, defining and organizing a project is probably the most inportant phase with selection of the people who will participate being the single most important part. Great plan with wrong people and it all goes bad. Wrong plan with great people and they'll work it out every time.
Kimberly,
Thanks Kimberly and you are certainly right about the importance of a plan to allow for the possibility of smooth execution. You really have to balance the plan with the execution since as you know a plan that isn't executed will not add much value.
Dr. Eric Goodman
In terms of the phases; defining and organizing, planning, executing, and closing, I feel that the planning phase is the most important. Having a clear course set for the completion of the project will allow the execution process to run smoothly and give the team the ability to overcome many of the hurdles that could potentially arise.
Kimberly,
I appreciate the importance of assembling a team. I'm wondering though in terms of the "phases" presented which one you think is the most important?
Dr. Eric Goodman
I feel that the most important aspect is assembling the team; if a project manager fills the team with the people who have the right skill set for each task then the project should run as smoothly an on track as possible.
Kevin,
I appreciate your point about scope creep. As a project manager how can you mitigate the need to please everyone?
Dr. Eric Goodman
I agree that defining and organizing are of the utmost importance in controlling scope creep. It is so easy to lose track of what the team should be trying to accomplish especially if there is a tendency to try to please everyone or there is a lack of ability in saying NO!
Geraldine,
Excellent response and definining and organizing are certainly critical! I'm wondering if you can provide more insight about how you've learned from past projects about the importance of being organized. What happens if you're not?
Dr. Eric Goodman
Among the four phases I strongly believe that Defining and organizing the project is the most important. The objectives of the project need to be very clear. The competing demands need to be clarified. The roles and responsibilities need to be defined for the best project outcome. The high-level time and cost estimates of the project need to be identified and the project charter needs to be started during this first and very important phase.
The most important item that I have learned from projects from the past is that you have to be very organized so that you can intensely define all that you have to do for the outcome to be a great one.
Timothy,
Thanks for the follow up and great point about human nature wanting to add other items. You are right about it being your job to really guide your team.
Best wishes on your next project!
Dr. Eric Goodman
No, but if you do not have clear objectives you will not know what part of the project is successful and what part of the project is scope creep. I certainly think that there is a potential for scope creep during all phases of any project. I think it is human nature to add one more item or to make the end result of the project just a little bit better. As a project manager it will be my job to guide my team to meet the objectives within time requirements and on budget.
