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Posted on October 20, 2009 by Jim Cochran | Posted under Satellite TV
Creating an IT Project Timeline You Can Stick To
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Regardless,a project timeline is an important component of time managementplanning and a useful project management tool for keeping your clientinformed and your project on target. A project timeline allows an ITproject manager to: • Identify potential problems before they delay your project; • Give customers earlier notice of potential delays or scope changes – before you go over your estimate; • Provide immediate, on-demand status reports regarding which aspects of the project are complete, due or running behind; • Always know where you stand in regard to each project, and whether you’re coming out ahead or behind financially; • Bill your client as project milestones are attained; and • Track the actual time spent on all aspects of the project, so you can better develop future estimates and timelines. Developing a timeline Atfirst, developing accurate timelines may be tough. After all, what ITproject manager hasn’t committed to a specific timeframe for aconsulting project, only to encounter obstacles that set the projectback? Even if it feels like you’re guessing at how the projectwill go, a timeline is still a useful tool for time management planningand keeping your client informed. Creating one demonstrates that youare committed to achieving specific project milestones and to trackingprogress toward them. Where to start? First, talk to your clientabout the major project milestones that need to be achieved over thecourse of the project. Those milestones can become the building blocksof your project timeline. Fill in the space between them with thesequential steps that must be performed to move from one milestone tothe next. When estimating the time required to accomplish eachtask, consider which team members must be involved, as well as theamount of time each individual can commit to the project. If yourclient is to be responsible for any aspect of the project, clearlydefine those tasks and set deadlines for accomplishing them. Involvethe responsible team members in defining those deadlines, and ask fortheir commitment. The more you track your progress againsttimelines, the easier it will be to develop them for future projects.Each timeline represents historical project management data you canlater use to estimate the actual time needed for similar IT projects inthe future. Be realistic According to projectmanagement process expert Karl Wiegers, some IT project managers preferto set internal target deadlines that are more optimistic than thedates you commit to in the timeline you give to your client. Thisproject management method is a good way to offset any unexpected delaysthat may arise. Another project management technique is to buildin a little extra time to deal with any possible wrong assumptions,estimation mistakes, risks and scope creep, Wiegers says. Check out thefree downloads at the end of this article for more information aboutthese and other project management best practices. Even if thedelivery dates you commit to are farther in the future than your clientwould prefer, keeping your project timeline realistic helps you fulfillyour commitments and shows your clients they can trust you to be honestabout what it will take to get the job done. Adapt when necessary Sometimes,due to circumstances beyond your control, a timeline must change.According to Wiegers, it often happens when the requirements for an ITproject turn out to be technically impossible or exceedingly difficult,when customers change their minds in the middle of a project, or whenthe initial project requirements turn out to be just a small part of alarger issue that must be resolved. In cases such as these, allproject stakeholders must adjust their expectations and commitments. Asthe IT project manager, that means adjusting your timeline, and beingsure to advise all participants of the changes immediately. For helpfulproject management tools to evaluate and address potential IT projectscope changes, see the free downloads below. By carefullydrafting and tracking progress against a project timeline as part ofyour overall IT project management strategy, you’ll be more likely tokeep your IT project on-time and on-budget. Your customers will respectthe fact that you can keep them informed, even when a project fallsbehind schedule. And that means they’ll be more likely to value theservices you provide and recommend you to their peers. About The Author: Jim Cochran is the President of TechInsurance, a company devoted to providing risk management solutions for IT companies. Their offerings of errors and omissions insurance help protect small IT companies and independent contractors alike. Jim has over a decade in the online liability insurance business and can help your company find a perfect risk management solution. |
Tags: RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR IT COMPANIES, ERRORS AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE, ONLINE LIABILITY INSURANCE, TECHNOLOGY INSURANCE, LIABILITY, ERRORS
