There is little denying the impact smartphone technology has had on the world. Below are several iPhone apps to help the Programme/Project Manager assess the intangibles in there projects. These are small apps available on iTunes under the generic title of Project Mate authored by Frank Williamson. They are extremely low cost but can be invaluable in reviewing estimates, risks, health and stakeholders. Check them out on iTunes, search for 'Frank Williamson' and you will be presented with descriptions and the opportunity to download them at a small cost.
PROJECT ESTIMATOR is a tool used for estimating at the early stages of any IT Software Development project. The tool is a manifestation of techniques that have been used on a large number of successful projects over the years with surprising accuracy.
Project estimating is extremely difficult and inaccurate at the early, or notional stages of any project. Not surprisingly however, estimating becomes progressively more accurate further into the project which is of little help if you are trying to justify and secure approval for capital expenditure for the project. Function based estimating at such an early stage requires the minimal amount of information about the key factors of any project and it doesn’t require the scope to be baselined.
PROJECT ESTIMATOR can help by estimating the amount of man-days required to complete each stage of the project. These figures, together with an average man-day rate, an estimated project cost can be reached. Also, a very early resource plan can be developed to establish a milestone plan and determine the elapsed days required for project completion. The figures can also be used to populate an early project plan with milestones and the basis for a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). In addition they can be also used for the high level products in a Product Breakdown Structure (PBS). The tool can be used over and over again with slight variations to help arrive at an agreeable estimate.
PROJECT ESTIMATOR complies with a Waterfall Model approach to the Systems Development Lifecycle where it follows a sequential process from concept (Business Analysis and Logical Design), through Physical Design and System Build, Testing and Operational Implementation. Each stage of development proceeds in strict order, without any overlapping or iterative steps.
PROJECT ESTIMATOR can be used by Programme and Project Managers for early estimation of projects at the CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) submission or application stage, Investment Appraisal and Business Case Stage and the Project Brief and Project Initiation stage before the Project Plan is base lined (after which more detailed estimation breakdowns are required). The tool can also be used in a Change/Configuration Management situation where a change in scope is significant. Senior Management and Sponsors will also find the tool useful to obtain a ‘heads up’ on IT enabling business notions and business change.
PROJECT ESTIMATOR is a complementary tool which will appeal to every decision maker at every level involved in IT Systems Development projects. It will add value to the decision making process and provide a firm footing for further, more detailed estimating and project planning. It can also be used mid-project to re-estimate high level projections.
Key Features:
- Methodology Independent.
- Easy and quick to use.
- Easy to replicate.
- Can be used at seminal, justification and mid stages of any Project.
- Can be used by anyone involved in the Project from Sponsors, Senior Stakeholders and Line Managers, Programme and Project Managers, Project Accountants, Business Analysts and Development Staff.
- Can be used anywhere.
- Does not need a separate computer or communications.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - is a Management tool designed to provide a corporate Risk Appraisal for IT enabling Business Change.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - will provide a series of assessments you are required to consider and answer on a scale of 1 - 5 (0 being left unanswered for the time being). The overall assessment will result in an 'at a glance' view of the risk areas the Programme or Project is expected to encounter.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - is a measure of the organisation's readiness to undertake and meet the challenges following the transition to new procedure(s) and system(s). It is organic in the sense that the assessment is an ongoing process that changes as the organisations' capabilities change or evolve to meet the risks it may encounter.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - provides for up to 10 Programmes/Projects at any one time. Projects (and their associated risk profiles) can be deleted at any time. New Programmes/Projects can be created up to a maximum of 10. The tool can be 'Reset' at anytime and restarted from the beginning.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - The main advantage of the 'profiler' is that it considers risk categories and not individual risks. In this way it is an ideal Management Tool for identifying areas of concern and highlighting them in a familiar RAG notification (Red, Amber and Green).
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - Requires input to six categories of risk (three of which are 'Inerited Risks' and the others 'Project Specific Risks'). Within each category there are up to 11 risk areas you are required to assess on a scale of 1 - 5. You are not required to answer them all at once, indeed it may take some time before you are in a position to answer them accurately. You can of course choose to answer them 'safely' for the time being but the term 'safely' is a very much subjective and can vary between organisations.
PROJECT RISK PROFILER - Three views are available at any time to consider your assessment so far.
A 'Table View' provides the Categories, Risk Area and Assessment for a quick reference review.
An 'Assessment Percentage Completion' graph is available to illustrate the percentage risk distribution throughout the Programme/Project. It also identifies risks not yet answered/assessed.
A 'Risk Value Summary' graph identifies the Hot and Cold risk areas in the Programme/Project. Risk values are identified as :-
0 (White) - Risk unanswered or not assessed.
1 (Green) - No risk
2 (Yellow) - Possible risk.
3 (Orange - Risk identified
4 (Amber) - Risk beng managed.
5 (Red) - Serious risk, possible intervention.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - is a tool designed to provide a quick assessment of a project's capability and delivery success prospects.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - presents a series of assessments in 5 Categories that you are required to consider. The overall assessment will result in an 'at a glance' view of the Communications, Finance, Planning, Quality & Auditability and Change/Configuration Management areas of the Programme or Project.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - is a quick assessment of the key disciplines essential for any Programme or Project and consequently the areas which may require further assessment and possibly additional focus.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - provides for up to 10 Programmes/Projects at any one time. Projects (and their associated health assessments) can be deleted at any time. New Programmes/Projects can be created up to a maximum of 10. The tool can be 'Reset' at anytime and restarted from the beginning.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - advantages are that it considers categories and not individual activities within categories. In this way it is an ideal tool which can be used by anyone to identify areas of concern and highlight them in a familiar RAG notification. The user need not even be part of the project but their 'observations' may be used to complete the assessment for review by others.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - Requires input to five categories or disciplines. Within each category there are 5 questions each with three answers. The user is required to score each answer on a scale of 0 to 10. The total score for each question must not exceed 10. It may take some time before you are capable of answering them all accurately. It is more likely they will be answered over a period of time, incrementally building a picture of the project as you go, identifying areas for improvement toward a successful delivery and outcome.
PROJECT HEALTH CHECK - Three views are available at any time to consider your assessment so far.
A 'Table View' provides the Categories, Questions and Assessments in a detailed reference view.
A 'Stacked Histogram' identifies the three answers for each question in each category in the Programme/Project. Answers are represented as :-
Question 1 - Green (Structured or formal approach in place).
Question 2 - Yellow (Acknowlegement need for structure but not fully committed).
Question 3 - Red (Not acknowledged as important project performance indicator).
An 'Spider Graph' is also available showing an alternative view of the 'Stack Histogram'.
The PROJECT STAKEHOLDER tool is used to assist the process of identifying individuals or groups that are likely to affect or be affected by the proposed outcomes of an activity or project (eg. IT enabling project of business change), and displaying them according to their influence during the project and the impact the outcomes will have on them. This tool can then be used to assess how the interests of those stakeholders should be addressed in terms of changing attitude, promoting cooperation between stakeholders, developing relationships, benefit awareness etc.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER captures the name, position/role , method of information acquisition and the stakeholder’s image (photograph) for relevant stakeholders in any project. The tool will support up to 10 projects each of which can hold information on up to 20 Stakeholders.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER is an information gathering tool which enables Project Managers, Sponsors and Quality Assurance functions to focus effort on high priority groups whilst identifying stakeholders who may benefit from additional involvement through education, communication and assurances etc.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER enables Stakeholders to be categorised according to their interest in the Project and their power or authority to 'make it happen' and help produce successful project outcomes and benefits.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER enable Stakeholders to be positioned on a Mendelow's Matrix, which is a 4 quadrant map with a low-high Power axis (Y) and a low-high Interest axis (X). Placement on the map quickly identifies those in authority with a high interest in the successful outcome of the project whist those with little or no authority and with equally little interest in the project can be identified as Stakeholders which may require additional effort to gain their confidence and or support. Carefully managing all Stakeholders' expectations through education and communication can help achieve a broader commitment to the project and PROJECT STAKEHOLDER can help to focus effort to achieve this.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER is a dynamic tool which enables Stakeholders' positions to change as they are 'managed' throughout the project lifecycle. By encouraging cooperation and information exchange, positions can be adjusted to reflect changing attitudes and behaviours to the project.
|
