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Project
Management
Project management is the application of
a consistent methodology to the task of changing business operations.
Change in operations can take many forms: it may be building a new
plant, replacing a database, changing the organization chart or
something as mundane as replacing the carpet beneath a floor of office
cubicles.
Application of the project methodology is
a far greater task than merely developing a project plan. The
project plan is but a fraction of the control tools contained in the
methodology.
Baker, Jake & Powell
generally uses two different methodologies depending upon circumstances
of the project. The first is the waterfall approach and the
second, the agile approach.
The
waterfall approach
enforces lock-step sequential process flow whereas agile allows for
iterations of steps and even iterations across steps.
The waterfall approach
is very useful when both consultant and client are well-versed in the
subject matter and the project is to be executed in a relatively stable
business climate over a relatively short period of time; thus the
opportunity for lockstep execution.
Drawbacks of the waterfall
methodology are that:
The project
deliverable might not meet the needs of the client due to changing
business climate over the duration of the project.
A phase II or phase
III of the project might be required to remedy this situation;
The
agile approach
is very useful when either client or consultant (or both) are not
subject matter experts or the business climate is changing rapidly and
the project is of considerable duration; thus the need for iterative,
flexible execution.
Drawbacks of the agile methodology are
that:
An untold number of iterations might
be made, causing great difficulty in estimating scope, time and
cost.
Delivery dates can only be estimated,
and must be revised constantly during the project.
Baker, Jake and Powell's
waterfall methodology we call the
BJP 5D
Project Management Method™
which conforms to
the standards of the Project Management Institute®
the sole accrediting authority for Project Management Professionals™.
Our agile methodology we
call the
BJP Agile
Project Management Method™
which likewise
conforms to the standards of the Project Management Institute®.
The elements of any
project methodology are:
-
Discover
-
Define
-
Design
-
Develop
-
Deploy
Vigorous adherence to these steps helps assure
that projects do not fail. Baker, Jake & Powell applies a very
strict definition of project failure. To us, any project whether
ultimately delivered or not, which negatively deviates from budgeted
scope, schedule, or cost, is a failed project.
A properly managed project
will result in delivery according to original plan, or only with
negotiated, compensated deviation there from.
Baker, Jake & Powell partners and
associates know well and deeply respect the power of vigilant project
management and believe it to be the key to maintaining positive and
mutually profitable client/consultant relationships.
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