BUSINESS PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Project management consulting services we provide include:
- Defining your project scope
- Planning your project objectives, deliverables and milestones
- Preparing budgets for staff and external resources working on the project
- Agreeing time frames and responsibilities
- Identifying potential risks and obstacles to the project
- Monitoring and controlling your project from commencement to completion
How to Plan a Project
Projects arise from a business need and are performed and delivered under four constraints, namely the project “scope”, “time”, "performance" and “cost”. The scope is the work that needs to be accomplished to deliver a product, service, process or deliverable with specified features and functions. The cost of the project is a function of the required performance, time frame and scope. The steps involved in planning and managing a project include five distinct phases:
Phase 1: Initiating the project including an analysis of the problem, solution requirements and the business need,as well as the cost benefits.
Phase 2: Planning or designing the project including developing the scope, identifying the deliverables, work breakdown structure and estimating resource requirements, time frame and cost.
Phase 3: Production or execution of the project including management, quality control, procurement and testing of the deliverables.
Phase 4: Monitoring and controlling the project including any variances in the scope, objective achievements, timing or cost, as well as the identification of risk and undertaking corrective actions to mitigate risk.
Phase 5: Closing the project including the closure of all contracts, project activities and budgets, as well as a report on how project related risks were identified and managed.
Research and Development Projects
In research and development projects, where there is uncertainty that the objectives or solutions specified in the project scope are achievable, the steps described above may be supplemented by decision points. These decision points may also be referred to as commercial milestones, “go/kill” points or “go/no-go” decisions. These are decision points where the project’s continuation is deliberated and decided. In these circumstances, a technique like the “stage-gate” method can be used to manage project risk.
In research and development projects, where there is uncertainty that the objectives or solutions specified in the project scope are achievable, the steps described above may be supplemented by decision points. These decision points may also be referred to as commercial milestones, “go/kill” points or “go/no-go” decisions. These are decision points where the project’s continuation is deliberated and decided. In these circumstances, a technique like the “stage-gate” method can be used to manage project risk.
What to Include in your Project Scope
The project scope is a document that specifies the project goals, deliverables, tasks, work breakdown structure, deadlines and project costs. All the stakeholders in the project should be involved in preparing or signing off the project scope. The project scope should stipulate the acceptance criteria for the project. This includes the requirements and specifications of the product, service or process that are the outputs from the project. The project scope will be completed over a number of planning sessions. One important function of the project scope is to prevent scope “creep” and project cost overruns.
The project scope includes a description of the business opportunity or business problem the project will address. It will provide the basis of a business case and justification for the project which can be presented to departmental CFO’s, the board, stakeholders, or investors.
The project scope should identify the potential obstacles or likely risks to the success of the project. It should include any strategies to mitigate those risks. The scope should specify the project constraints - namely performance requirements, the scope of the project and the time frame in which it should be completed.
The project scope includes a description of the goals, objectives, deliverables and outputs of the project. Remember objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. The scope includes a description of the timeframes and milestones for the project and specifies when the project will start and finish. A project Gantt chart should be included in the project scope.
The project scope includes a budget for the project. The budget will include internal and external labour expenses and resources as well as project materials and consumables, overheads, hire or lease costs and any other expenditures specific to the project. The cost of the project will be a function of the project performance, scope and time frame.
The project scope includes a description of the business opportunity or business problem the project will address. It will provide the basis of a business case and justification for the project which can be presented to departmental CFO’s, the board, stakeholders, or investors.
The project scope should identify the potential obstacles or likely risks to the success of the project. It should include any strategies to mitigate those risks. The scope should specify the project constraints - namely performance requirements, the scope of the project and the time frame in which it should be completed.
The project scope includes a description of the goals, objectives, deliverables and outputs of the project. Remember objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. The scope includes a description of the timeframes and milestones for the project and specifies when the project will start and finish. A project Gantt chart should be included in the project scope.
The project scope includes a budget for the project. The budget will include internal and external labour expenses and resources as well as project materials and consumables, overheads, hire or lease costs and any other expenditures specific to the project. The cost of the project will be a function of the project performance, scope and time frame.
How to Get Started Planning your ProjectFor most organisations everyday tasks include working on projects. Avoid the traps of 'hit-and-miss' project planning by ensuring your team understands their responsibilities, deliverables and deadlines. To help you get started planning your project we provide an easy to use guide. To obtain your copy complete the enquiry form on the contact us page.
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Innovation Projects
For a business the purpose of innovation is to create value. Value may be generated by incremental improvements to existing products, or breakthroughs such as entirely new products, services or processes. Value may be found in cost reductions or in efficiency improvements. Innovation can build value from completely new and different business models or entirely new ventures.
Our Project Management Experience - Examples
A well-reasoned project plan clearly sets out your objectives, deliverables, timelines and estimates their cost. It helps focus your team's direction and reduces project risk. We are experienced in assisting organisations to manage a range of business projects, including:
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Brainstorming, idea generation, objective setting
Business case preparation Business process mapping Central Government planning and policy Conference workshop event management Database design Due diligence Export project plans Goal setting Information systems Innovation projects International market development plans |
Market research and market analysis
Market validation projects Marketing strategies and plans Negotiation New product development New service development Project budgets Project plans for board, shareholder and stakeholder reporting Project plans for raising finance, capital, or investment Project timelines and Gantt charts Research and development strategies and plans Staff action plans to achieve organisational objectives Workshop planning and event management |
Useful Links: Looking for More Information about Business Project Management?
Project Management Body of Knowledge
International Project Management Association
Project Management Institute of New Zealand
International Project training, Project Performance International
Product Development and Management Association of NZ (PDMA)
New Zealand Innovation Council
Help preparing business plans
Help planning business projects
Help with export marketing plans and export market research
Help with innovation projects
Marketing strategy and marketing plans
Help planning and managing research and development projects
Project Management Body of Knowledge
International Project Management Association
Project Management Institute of New Zealand
International Project training, Project Performance International
Product Development and Management Association of NZ (PDMA)
New Zealand Innovation Council
Help preparing business plans
Help planning business projects
Help with export marketing plans and export market research
Help with innovation projects
Marketing strategy and marketing plans
Help planning and managing research and development projects
Project Plan - Getting Started
For 25 years we have successfully planned and managed business projects for organisations across a wide range of industry types and industry sectors. To help you get started on your business plan project click on the link below, complete and send the form.
This page was last updated on 2 June 2017