Phase 1: Project initiation
The project initiation phase is the first stage of turning an abstract idea into a meaningful goal. In this stage, you need to develop a business case and define the project on a broad level. In order to do that, you have to determine the need for the project and create a project charter.
The project charter is an important document consisting of details like the project constraints, goals, appointment of the project manager, budget, expected timeline, etc.
Once you have the project goals and project scope, identify key project stakeholders–the people who are to be involved in the project. Create a stakeholder register with the roles, designation, communication requirements, and influence.
While a clear goal of the project is established in this phase, a project charter does not contain any technical details that happen in the planning stage.
Consider the example of an automobile manufacturer assigned to develop an electric vehicle. The selection of the design, capacity, and battery power of the vehicle will not be a part of the initiation phase. The only certainty would be that an electric vehicle will be developed within the given timeframe and budget.
Phase 2: Project planning
The project planning stage requires complete diligence as it lays out the project’s roadmap. Unless you are using a modern project management methodology like agile project management, the second phase of project management is expected to take almost half of the entire project’s timespan.
Check out how to implement an effective project roadmap.
In this phase, the primary tasks are identifying technical requirements, developing a detailed project schedule, creating a communication plan, and setting up goals/deliverables.
There are several methods of setting up the project’s goals but S.M.A.R.T. and C.L.E.A.R. are the most popular.
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S.M.A.R.T Goals:
The ‘SMART’ criteria ensure that the goals you set for your project are critically analyzed. It is an established method that reduces risk and allows managers to make clearly defined and achievable goals.
The acronym SMART stands for
smart project management
C.L.E.A.R. Goals:
The ‘CLEAR’ method of setting up goals is designed to cater to the dynamic nature of a modern workplace. Today’s fast-paced businesses require flexibility and immediate results and CLEAR can help you with that.
The acronym for CLEAR stands for
clear project management
During the planning stage, the scope of the project is defined. There is a possibility of changing the scope of the project demands it but the project manager must approve the change. Project managers also develop a work breakdown structure (WBS), which clearly visualizes the entire project in different sections for the team management.
Learn more about how project goals and objectives are defined.
A detailed project timeline with each deliverable is another important element of the planning stage. Using that timeline, project managers can develop a communication plan and a schedule of communication with the relevant stakeholders.
Risk mitigation is another important aspect of project management that is a part of the planning stage. The project manager is responsible for extrapolating past data to identify potential risks and develop a strategy to minimize them.
Check out how project risk management is done effectively to mitigate risks in the project.
An important element that professionals often overlook is an effective change management plan. As a project manager, you must be ready to incorporate a few changes in the project to avoid bottlenecks and project delays.
In the absence of a working change management plan, scope creep happens and causes huge problems for the project team in the later stages of the project. So, it’s best to reduce the possibility of unforeseen changes as much as possible.
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Phase 3: Project execution
The project execution stage is where your team does the actual work. As a project manager, your job is to establish efficient workflows and carefully monitor the progress of your team.
Another responsibility of the project manager during this phase is to consistently maintain effective collaboration between project stakeholders. This ensures that everyone stays on the same page and the project runs smoothly without any issues.
You can take help from collaboration software available in the market. They’ll not only make your life easier but also improves efficiency and increase the productivity of your team.
Phase 4: Project monitoring and controlling
In the project management process, the third and fourth phases are not sequential in nature. This phase runs simultaneously with project execution, thereby ensures that objectives and project deliverables are met.
As a project manager, you can make sure that no one deviates from the original plan by establishing Critical Success Factors (CSF) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
During the monitoring phase of project management, the manager is also responsible for quantitatively tracking the effort and cost during the process. This tracking not only ensures that the project remains within the budget but also is important for future projects.
Phase 5: Project closing
This is the final phase of the project management process. The project closure stage indicates the end of the project after the final delivery. There are times when external talent is hired specifically for the project on contract. Terminating these contracts and completing the necessary paperwork is also the responsibility of the project manager.
Most teams hold a reflection meeting after the completion of the project in order to contemplate on their successes and failures during the project. This is an effective method to ensure continuous improvement within the company to enhance the overall productivity of the team in the future.
The final task of this phase is to review the entire project complete a detailed report that covers every aspect. All of the necessary data is stored in a secure place that can be accessed by project managers of that organization.
