This post is the fourth in a series of discussions regarding current challenges being encountered in today\u2019s project management.\u00a0 More specifically, we have titled the series PROJECT MANAGEMENT<\/strong> CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/a>, since we intend to focus heavily on the managerial aspects of program \/ project management.\u00a0 This post addresses the project planning process.\u00a0 This is a crucial challenge and the importance of this process cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n Authoritative information and guidance regarding project management comes from many sources.\u00a0 A few that may be obvious include:<\/p>\n In order to frame and organize this topic, we are using the PMI Project Management Processes for a Project as presented in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/a><\/sup><\/strong> Guide<\/a>)<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n Many discussion groups and forums can be helpful.\u00a0 These include AACE, PMI, LinkedIn and others.<\/p>\n PMBOK<\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong><\/a> Guide<\/em> defines five process groups:<\/p>\n Our discussion will be organized along the structure of these process groups.\u00a0 Hence, this discussion will focus on the Planning Process Group.<\/p>\n A logical and often asked question is along the lines of \u201cWhy plan?\u201d as it can be complicated, time-consuming and aggravating.\u00a0 There are several key benefits to planning.<\/p>\n Sources that are used in this post are:<\/p>\n The process tends to be problematic.\u00a0 Many teams and organizations struggle with how to perform the planning.\u00a0 In this regard, the order or sequence of planning is quite important.\u00a0 A proper sequence creates efficiency and avoids costly and time-consuming rework.<\/p>\n The planning process differs for differing organizations and types of projects.\u00a0 PMBOK<\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong><\/a> <\/sup>provides guidance regarding the plan data flow (PMBOK<\/strong>, page 79).\u00a0 This can be adapted to the organizational structure and project specifics.<\/p>\n A generic process can be helpful. PMBOK<\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> <\/sup><\/a>provides a useful starting point (from which a specific process can be created).\u00a0 These process steps are listed in general order of performance:<\/p>\n CIOB <\/a>GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TIME IN COMPLEX PROJECTS<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>(K. Pickavance<\/strong>) \u00a0lists some typical decisions needed during project planning (with some considerable emphasis on project controls):<\/p>\n The Planning Process (getting organized formally) requires multiple processes (see PMBOK<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00ae<\/a> <\/sup><\/strong>and Kerzner<\/a><\/strong>):<\/p>\n When performing planning and developing the Project Management Plan, expert judgment is often utilized.\u00a0 PMBOK<\/em>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> lists the following areas for application of project planning expertise:<\/p>\n In subsequent posts, we will address the content of the Project Management Plan<\/strong> and issues or problems often encountered in P<\/strong>roject Planning.<\/strong><\/p>\n The experience of McLaughlin and McLaughlin<\/a><\/strong> includes the planning of many large and complex projects.\u00a0 Within these projects, M&M<\/a><\/strong> has found that time and patience applied during the project planning<\/strong> is essential and invaluable relevant to project success potential.\u00a0 Further, M&M<\/a><\/strong> experience is that lack of robust Project Planning<\/strong> can seriously degrade the project success potential.\u00a0 In this regard, the old saying about project failures \u201cthey did not plan to fail, they failed to plan\u201d applies.<\/p>\n Good luck and let us all attempt to approach the practice or managerial challenge of project management with all knowledge, tools and lessons learned that are available.\u00a0 Setting a solid foundation in the issues as well as the process is essential and has long term (project duration) benefits.\u00a0 Happy reading and good luck in your project management challenges and endeavors\u2026<\/p>\n It is important to note that McLaughlin and McLaughlin [M&M]<\/a><\/strong> is not a law firm and is not intending to provide legal advice. M&M<\/strong><\/a> is a consulting firm providing (among other services) non-legal expertise in dispute resolution and litigation support.\u00a0 The Resource Center<\/strong><\/a> is for the convenience of blog visitors and M&M<\/strong><\/a> does not offer this for commercial purposes.\u00a0 For further information on M&M<\/a><\/strong> services, please see<\/em> <\/em>www.McLaughlinandMcLaughlin.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This post is the fourth in a series of discussions regarding current challenges being encountered in today\u2019s project management.\u00a0 More specifically, we have titled the series PROJECT MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES, since we intend to focus heavily on the managerial aspects of program \/ project management.\u00a0 This post addresses the project planning process.\u00a0 This is a crucial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[9,49,16,8],"tags":[130,121,127,34,126,29,120,129,81,64,13,128,258,119],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Project-Management-Challenges.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=809"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":816,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions\/816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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