Template for Project (How to Use)
see Template for Project for actual template
Overview
Activities in an organization should be performed in the context of a "project." The project framework helps everyone -- participants and observers -- know what's going on, and why particular actions are being performed.
Creating a project plan helps ensure that participants understand all of the components necessary to complete the project successfully. A project plan is also a form of communication to others -- a way of asking if everything has been thought of, where there might be problems, what the expected outcome is.
In the wiki age, a project plan is not a static thing. It is expected to evolve over time as needed to track reality. It is a living document. The changes in the plan are visible to others, and form part of the narrative of progress as the project unfolds.
Project Management Hygiene
- set SMART goals
- understand tasks required to accomplish goals, then set realistic timeline
- create project plan in wiki
- regular, frequent check-ins to iterate plan (goal, priorities, etc.) if necessary
- after-action reviews at the end of project, including reflection/writeup of positives and deltas
- see the Agile Retrospective Resource Wiki for ideas
- experienced, well-oiled teams requires less strict project management hygiene
- new, less-organized, or heterogenous teams require more attention to careful project management hygiene