Notes

Outline

Chapter 3: Project Integration Management

The Key to Overall Project Success: Good Project Integration Management Project managers must coordinate all of the other knowledge areas throughout a project’s life cycle Many new project managers have trouble looking at the “big picture” and want to focus on too many details (See opening case for a real example) Project integration management is not the same thing as software integration

Project Integration Management Processes Project Plan Development: taking the results of other planning processes and putting them into a consistent, coherent document—the project plan Project Plan Execution: carrying out the project plan Integrated Change Control: coordinating changes across the entire project

Figure 3-1.  Project Integration Management Overview

Figure 3-2. Framework for Project Integration Management

Project Plan Development A project plan is a document used to coordinate all project planning documents Its main purpose is to guide project execution Project plans assist the project manager in leading the project team and assessing project status Project performance should be measured against a baseline project plan

Attributes of Project Plans Just as projects are unique, so are project plans Plans should be dynamic Plans should be flexible Plans should be updated as changes occur Plans should first and foremost guide project execution

Common Elements of a Project Plan Introduction or overview of the project Description of how the project is organized Management and technical processes used on the project Work to be done, schedule, and budget information

Table 3-1. Sample Outline for a Software Project Management Plan (SPMP)

Stakeholder Analysis A stakeholder analysis documents important (often sensitive) information about stakeholders such as stakeholders’ names and organizations roles on the project unique facts about stakeholders level of influence and interest in the project suggestions for managing relationships

Table 3-2. Sample Stakeholder Analysis

Project Plan Execution Project plan execution involves managing and performing the work described in the project plan The majority of time and money is usually spent on execution The application area or the project directly affects project execution because the products of the project are produced during execution

What Went Wrong? Many people have a poor view of plans based on past experiences.  Senior managers often require a plan, but then no one follows up on whether the plan was followed. For example, one project manager said he would meet with each project team leader within two months to review their plans.  The project manager created a detailed schedule for these reviews.  He cancelled the first meeting due to another business commitment.  He rescheduled the next meeting for unexplained personal reasons.  Two months later, the project manager had still not met with over half of the project team leaders. Why should project members feel obligated to follow their own plans when the project manager obviously did not follow his?

Important Skills for Project Execution General management skills like leadership, communication, and political skills Product skills and knowledge (see example of “What Went Right?”) Use of specialized tools and techniques

Tools and Techniques for Project Execution Work Authorization System: a method for ensuring that qualified people do work at the right time and in the proper sequence Status Review Meetings: regularly scheduled meetings used to exchange project information Project Management Software: special software to assist in managing projects

Integrated Change Control Integrated change control involves identifying, evaluating, and managing changes throughout the project life cycle (Note:  1996 PMBOK called this process “overall change control”) Three main objectives of change control: Influence the factors that create changes to ensure they are beneficial Determine that a change has occurred Manage actual changes when and as they occur

Figure 3-3. Integrated Change Control Process

Change Control on Information Technology Projects Former view: The project team should strive to do exactly what was planned on time and within budget Problem: Stakeholders rarely agreed up-front on the project scope, and time and cost estimates were inaccurate Modern view: Project management is a process of constant communication and negotiation Solution:  Changes are often beneficial, and the project team should plan for them

Change Control System A formal, documented process that describes when and how official project documents and work may be changed Describes who is authorized to make changes and how to make them Often includes a change control board (CCB), configuration management, and a process for communicating changes

Change Control Boards (CCBs) A formal group of people responsible for approving or rejecting changes on a project Provides guidelines for preparing change requests, evaluates them, and manages the implementation of approved changes Includes stakeholders from the entire organization

Making Timely Changes Some CCBs only meet occasionally, so it may take too long for changes to occur Some organizations have policies in place for time-sensitive changes “48 hour policy” allowed project team members to make decisions, then they had 48 hours reverse the decision pending senior management approval Delegate changes to the lowest level possible, but keep everyone informed of changes

Configuration Management Ensures that the products and their descriptions are correct and complete Concentrates on the management of technology by identifying and controlling the functional and physical design characteristics of products Configuration management specialists identify and document configuration requirements, control changes, record and report changes, and audit the products to verify conformance to requirements

Table 3-3. Suggestions for Managing Integrated Change Control View project management as a process of constant communications and negotiations Plan for change Establish a formal change control system, including a Change Control Board (CCB) Use good configuration management Define procedures for making timely decisions on smaller changes Use written and oral performance reports to help identify and manage change Use project management and other software to help manage and communicate changes