Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify strategic and operational needs of project during planning phase
- Strategic context and requirements for the project are identified and considered.
- Council's strategic and business plans and their output requirements are identified and considered.
- Requirements resulting from the project or program funding are identified and fully explored.
- Risk management analysis is conducted and a risk management plan documented.
- Prepare project plan
- Precise specifications and terms of reference for project are defined and documented.
- Budget for project is identified, specified to a level that can be used for the management of sub-tasks, and documented.
- Skills needed for successful completion of project are defined and project team is assembled.
- Physical and other resources required to support project are defined, documented and secured.
- Timelines, schedules and critical path for project are developed and documented, taking into consideration contingencies and planning for time slippages.
- Communication plan to be used to support project, including engagement of stakeholders and communication of project progress to team members, is defined and documented.
- Assemble project team and commence work
- Appropriate project team members are secured and briefed regarding the project, their roles, levels of delegated responsibility and outcomes to be achieved.
- Steps are put in place to ensure effective communication processes are used to coordinate work and inform team members of progress.
- Clear reporting processes for all team members are identified and communicated.
- Manage project
- Progress of project is monitored according to project plan's requirements and using appropriate project management tools and methodologies.
- Team members are supported and their output managed against the measurements identified in project plan.
- Corrections, changes and additions are made to project plan in light of changing circumstances and to ensure project aims and outcomes are met.
- Resourcing to support project is monitored and corrections are made in light of changing circumstances.
- Reporting of overall project progress is made to relevant senior management and/or funding bodies as required and specified in project plan.
- Finalise project
- Project is finalised in line with project plan.
- Any necessary handover to staff members responsible for the ongoing implementation or maintenance of products or services emanating from project is conducted effectively and in line with organisational procedures.
- Project team members and relevant stakeholders are debriefed about conduct of the project and outcomes achieved.
- Report is prepared analysing strengths and weaknesses of project plan and the conduct of project.
- Use project to contribute to improved policies and processes
- Opportunities for wider organisational learning, including changes to processes or policies generated by project are identified and analysed.
- Opportunities for future and further developments following project completion are forwarded for further consideration by senior management.
- Strategic impact of project is considered and fed into organisation's ongoing strategic planning processes.