University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

ENGM91ENGM91

Project Planning Project Planning

Unit 4Unit 4

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Project PlanningProject Planning

• Introduction

– Why plan?

• To eliminate or reduce uncertainty• To improve efficiency of the operation• To obtain a better understanding of the objectives• To provide a basis for monitoring and controlling work

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

The consequences of poor The consequences of poor planningplanning

(in the order they happen)(in the order they happen)• premature project initiation

• wild enthusiasm

• disillusionment

• chaos

• search for the guilty

• punishment of the innocent

• promotion of the non-participants

• definition of the requirement

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning componentsPlanning components

• Objectives– a goal, target or quota to be achieved

• Programme– strategy and major action to achieve objectives

• Schedule– a plan to show when milestones will be reached

• Budget– planned expenditure for the project

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning componentsPlanning components

• Forecast– a projection of what will/may happen when

• Organisation– the projects management and personnel

structure

• Policy– a general guide to decision making and

individual actions

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning componentsPlanning components

• Procedures– a detailed method for carrying out policy

• Standards– a level performance defined as adequate and/or

acceptable

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning QuestionPlanning Question

• Considering what you already know about project management.

Why is project planning so important?

– Discuss in small groups

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 1 Identify project scope and objectives– Identify objectives and measures of

effectiveness in meeting them– Establish a project authority– Identify all stakeholders in the project and their

interests– Modify objectives in the light of stakeholder

analysis– Establish methods of communication with all

parties

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 2 Identify project infrastructure – Establish relationships between project and

strategic planning– Identify installation standards and procedures– Identify project team organisation

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 3 Analyse project characteristics– Distinguish the project as either objective or

product driven– Analyse other project characteristic's– Identify high level project risk– Take into account user requirements concerning

implementation– Select general life-cycle approach– Review overall resource estimates

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 4 Identify project products and activities– Identify and describe project products (or

deliverables)– Document generic product flows– Recognise product instances– Produce ideal activity network– Modify ideal to take into account need for stages

and checkpoints

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 5 Estimate effort for each activity– Carry out bottom-up estimates– Revise plans to create controllable activities

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 6 Identify activity risk– Identify and quantify activity-based risks– Plan risk reduction and contingency measures

where appropriate– Adjust plans and estimates to take account of

risk

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 7 Allocate resources– Identify and allocate all resources– Revise plans and estimates to account for

resource constraints

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 8 Review/publicise plan– Review quality aspects of project plan– Document plans and obtain agreement

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

• Step 9 Execute plan

• Step 10 Lower levels of planning

– There are no sub-sections for steps 9 & 10

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning DiscussionPlanning Discussion

• London Gateway port is a major infrastructure project. The port is just starting to operate

• At this point the London Gateway video will be shown– Now in small groups discuss the complexities

and issues of planning a project like the London Gateway

– The full class discussion will then follow

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• PRINCE is an acronym for:– Projects IN Controlled Environments

• PRINCE was conceived and developed by the Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency (CCTA)– A UK government department

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• PRINCE 2 defines three key elements they are …– Processes– Components– Techniques

• Each element has several fundamental constituents

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• Processes– Starting Up A Project (SU); – Initiating A Project (IP); – Directing A Project (DP); – Managing Stage Boundaries (SB); – Controlling A Stage (CS); – Managing Product Delivery (MP); – Closing A Project (CP); – Planning (PL) (also a Component and Technique)

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• Components– Business Case– Organisation– Planning (also a Process and Technique)

– Controls– Management of Risk – Quality In A Project Environment– Configuration Management– Change Control

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• Techniques– Product-Based Planning

(planning is also a Process and Technique)

– Change Controls– Quality Reviews

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• Example of actions within a process– Controlling A Stage process actions …

• Authorise work packages• Assess progress• Capture project issues• Examine project issues• Review stage status• Report highlights• Take corrective action• Escalate project issues• Receive completed work packages

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• Actions within the Planning processPL 1 Design a Plan

PL 2 Define and analyse

PL 3 Identify activities and their dependencies

PL 4 Estimate effort for each activity

PL 5 Schedule

PL 6 Analyse risk

PL 7 Complete plan

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

PRINCE 2PRINCE 2

• PRINCE2 can be a very powerful tool is used wisely

• It is not a panacea to all project problems

• But, it provides a good structure on which to base the management of a project

• PRINCE2 can become very prescriptive if you let it ….. don’t fall into this trap!

• Overall PRINCE2 is a good framework to use

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

ConclusionConclusion

• Planning is important

• Planning Frameworks

• Project Frameworks

University of Sunderland ENGM91 Unit 4

Planning QuestionPlanning Question

• If time allows consider the following

• Why do you suppose that the coordination of various elements of the project is considered the most difficult aspect of project implementation?

– Discuss the above in small groups