Project Management

Our approach to the effective and efficient management, planning and delivery of projects uses 11 key stages with each stage logically following the previous stage.

We use simple yet effective principles to plan and deliver our clients projects by confirming the projects objectives, identifying internal and external key stakeholders, defining the scope of the project, confirming the resources required for the project, identification of the potential risks to the project, planning the project, managing the process, adhering to quality measures and criteria, seeking timely feedback, reviewing, evaluating and closure of the project.

Stage 1 - Confirmation of the projects objectives

A number of objectives for the project are defined, recorded, agreed upon and used as a point of reference throughout the project.

Stage 2 - Identification of key stakeholders

All key stakeholders, both internal and external are identified and consulted with.

Stage 3 - Identification of the scope of the project

The scope of the project is defined. The scope of the project defines what the project includes and excludes and where the project starts and finishes.

Stage 4 - Confirmation of resources

The resources required for the project to be delivered are identified, agreed upon and arrangements for them to be provided are made. Resources include, people, time, finance, accommodation and equipment.

Stage 5 - Identification of the risks

Any risks that will potentially prevent the successful delivery of the project are identified and recorded using a simple risk register. This defines the risk, the effect of the risk, any causal factors, inherent and residual risks, the likelihood, impact, response, key controls, actions and control evaluation. Recording risks highlights potential problems and allows risks to be reviewed in a timely manner, with the control evaluation, using a traffic light system being changed as the level of the risk(s) is mitigated.

Stage 6 - Planning the project

A project plan will be developed defining when the project starts and its planned end date. Working backwards from the end date, a series of milestones are defined, outlining actions which need to be completed and that will result in the project being delivered on time and within budget. The use of the milestones sets deadlines by which tasks need to be successfully completed.

Stage 7 - Management of the process

The planning of the project through the use of milestones enables the project to be effectively managed. As the project progresses and milestones are achieved these are confirmed as being complete. This approach allows measures to be taken on how the project is progressing. Any under performance can then quickly be identified through the measurement of the milestones and as necessary actions implemented to address any under performance. This assists is helping to adhere to the project delivery timetable.

Through holding regular team meetings any issues which have arisen or which are likely to arise can be discussed and resolved, with the risk register being duly amended to take account of any such risks and changes to risks which have been previously recorded.

Stage 8 - Adhering to quality measures and criteria

As the project progresses the management of the project is used as a mechanism to ensure any quality measures or criteria which exist are being adhered to. If for any reason, a deviance has occurred, than corrective actions are taken so the quality measures or criteria are met. Ongoing checks are implemented to maintain that the quality measures are not being deviated away from.

Stage 9 - Seek feedback

As the project progresses feedback is sought to confirm the client’s satisfaction or identify any concerns they may have, a similar approach is taken with the team so all involved are consulted with.

Stage 10 - Review and evaluation of the project

At key stages during the project, it is reviewed to confirm the project continues to achieve the objectives agreed at its commencement and is being delivered on time and within budget.

At the conclusion of the project a full project evaluation is conducted. The project evaluation evaluates all aspects of the project and includes all milestones, what went well?, What could have been done differently or better?, Use of resources, key obstacles and how these were over come, any people issues, milestones that were achieved and those that were delivered late, why this happened and what caused this?, How this was addressed and how the milestone was met? And the overall satisfaction of the client in terms the level, flexibility and quality of service provided, the difference and benefits made and knowledge and experience used in the delivery of the project.

Stage 11 - Closure of the project.

The project is closed once stages 1 -10 as detailed have been successfully completed, achieved and delivered to the satisfaction of the client.