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How can we make our project vision better? Or, more significantly, how do we bring it back
to 20/20 and in focus in the middle of a long interaction,
given that it presumably began off 20/20 at the start?
As a PMP Course online provider, I understand this isn't always an issue, but on extended projects, we might become distracted - or at least fixated on minutiae that divert our attention away from the key things, such as the project's final goals and what we need to do to achieve them. How do we go about doing that? It's a four-step procedure for me.
Step 1 – Revisit The Project SOW / Charter / Mission Statement
First, go back to the project's foundational materials -
whatever you have or were given at handoff that conveys the story of the
project's purpose and expected outcome/solution. Meet with the rest of your
team. Are you heading in the right direction? Have you missed any features that
were previously hazy or that you were blind to at the start of the project that
you can now see clearly? It's all too easy to miss details... Now is the time
to evaluate.
Step 2 – Sit Down With The Schedule
Next, as understood in the PMP
Course online - go through the project timeline with your project
team...and, if necessary, the project customer. Examine what has been
completed, what is now taking place, and what has to be done for the duration
of the engagement. Is the planned work still in line with the project's mission
and work statement?
Step 3 – Assess The Customer
Meeting with the customer is the next stage. If you believe
the project has gotten off course to the point that you need to re-evaluate or
change your project vision, meet with the customer to gain their input. Do they
believe the initiative is heading in the correct direction? Any worries about
overall emphasis, project needs that were ignored, functional problems, or
possible grumblings from future end users and client subject matter experts
(SMEs)? If there are any issues that need to be addressed, now is the moment to
do so. Make your decision now, before it's too late and too expensive.
Step 4 – Gauge The Overall Project Health
What is the overall project health, taking into
consideration what you've learned in phases 1 through 3 and incorporating an
assessment of the resource forecast and budget health and forecast? Is there
anything further that needs to be done to make things right? If the project's
health is in any way bad right now - if any red lights are flashing – let the
team and client know immediately away and work together to find a solution.
While we're reviewing and correcting our project vision, it's a good idea to take
stock of the overall project health and see what modifications could be needed
in activities, assignments, skill sets, or how the project is conducted.
Want to learn more about improving project vision? Sign
up for project management courses online today!