This post is the fifth 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 Management Plan<\/strong> [also known as Project Execution Plan<\/strong>, Project Plan<\/strong> and other titles].\u00a0 The last post (Part 4<\/a>) addressed the project planning process<\/strong>.<\/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<\/a>, PMI<\/a><\/strong>, LinkedIn and others.<\/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<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/a><\/sup><\/strong> <\/sup>provides guidance regarding the plan data flow (PMBOK<\/a><\/strong>, page 79).\u00a0 This can be adapted to the organizational structure and project specifics.<\/p>\n The Project Management Plan<\/strong> can consist of several pages of information and direction or a bookshelf full of many volumes of documents.\u00a0 These many volumes can have a hierarchical structure.\u00a0 PMBOK<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/a> <\/sup>provides guidance regarding this deliverable\/work product.\u00a0 The Project Management Plan<\/strong> (also known as Project Execution Plan<\/strong>, Project Plan<\/strong>, and other similar titles) is defined as:<\/p>\n \u201cA formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled.\u00a0 It may be summary or detailed and may be composed of one or more subsidiary management plans and other planning documents.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Project Management Plan<\/strong> has some or all of the following content:<\/p>\n Kerzner<\/a><\/strong> elaborates on the Project Management Plan <\/strong>[or Project Plan<\/strong>, as he calls it], which he indicates should include:<\/p>\n When performing planning and developing the Project Management Plan<\/strong>, expert judgment is often utilized.\u00a0 PMBOK<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00ae<\/a><\/sup> lists the following areas for application of project planning expertise, which would include preparation of the Project Management Plan<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In subsequent posts, we will address issues or problems often encountered in Project 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 is essential and invaluable relevant to project success potential.\u00a0 Further, M&M<\/a><\/strong> experience is that lack of robust Project Management Plan<\/strong> can seriously degrade the project success potential.<\/p>\n <\/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.\u00a0 M&M<\/a><\/strong> is a consulting firm providing (among other services) non-legal expertise in dispute resolution and litigation support.\u00a0 The Resource Center<\/a><\/strong> is for the convenience of blog visitors and M&M<\/a><\/strong> 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 This post is the fifth 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 Management Plan [also known as Project […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[49,16,8],"tags":[25,100,121,131,34,126,29,120,129,81,64,13,132,101,128,258,119],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/MP900398749-2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=818"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":824,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions\/824"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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