IT project needs

Instructions:

Search the internet for tips on how to distinguish software needs versus software wants.
From your research, summarize 3 of the most common tips.
Describe in your own words what happens with a technology project that fails to define the needs of the project.
Research what makes a technology solution focused and easy to use (focused on the NEEDS).

From this week’s supporting links, review

Five tips for any technology project’s needs

Which one of the tips is the most important in your eyes?
Why?
Which tip is the least important?

Why?

THE DAILY TIP
By ITworld Tips, ITworld
NOVEMBER 30, 2009

Five things every project needs
A few favorite tools beyond the stuffy PMBOK approach to project
management

by Joseph Phillips – In order to manage a project, regardless of its scope, project
managers need five key elements to move from a fuzzy idea to a physical, completed

managementproject. I’m talking about real-world stuff that will help you keep your
sanity, reach the project completion, and make you look like a project management
superstar.

1. Projects need ground rules. Have you ever been in a project where it was constant,
change, demands, complaints, and general craziness? That’s no fun and it’s not a very
realistic way to reach the project objectives. If you want to control your project team,
manage the project stakeholders, and keep project changes from choking your
execution you need project ground rules. Ground rules define who’s in charge of the
project, project processes, and expectations of each stakeholder in the project. Once
you’ve established the rules you have to actually enforce them to be effective. You
won’t be very popular at first, but your goal is project control, not to be the prom
queen.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

2. Projects need workers. Your job is to manage the project, not the work the project
team completes. As a project consultant it drives me nuts when I see a project manager
hovering over project work. Get out of the way and let the project team work. If the
team fails at the work, then you can address it. Coffee-breath and constant questions
won’t help your team complete their work.

3. Projects need leaders. Leadership is the big buzzword right now, but what does it
mean to lead? Leading means to align, motivate, and inspire people. Leaders in the
project don’t have to be the project manager, but someone needs to take charge and
lead the project to its completion. The best way to lead, as a project manager, is to
create alliances, synergy, and involvement with the project team. Get rid of the “us-
against-them” mentality and challenge your team to get their assignments done on
time, with quality, and with pride.

4. Projects need organization. There are few things worse in a project than a sloppy
project manager. Organize your electronic and paper files and put things where they
belong. When stakeholders need information you should know where the information
is located and how to quickly get to it. They’re called files and folders for a reason.
Create a logical project folder and organize emails, documents, and other information
in both physical and electronic form. Neatness equates to time, professionalism, and
project control.

5. Projects need fun. Did this one surprise you? It shouldn’t. If you want your project
team to love working on the project make the work fun by creating contests,
encouraging teamwork, inventing some social aspects to the project. When people are

friends rather than just colleagues the sense of commitment to one another increases.
Team development is about fostering relationships in a project team so the team
members can rely on one another. Go ahead, smile, your team might like it.

I’m sure there are some other great approaches project managers can use in their
projects; these are just a few of my favorite tools beyond the stuffy PMBOK approach to
project management. What’s in your project management toolbox? Share your tips
and advice.

__________________

Joseph Phillips a project management writer, consultant, and realist. He has written
eight books on project management including the PMP Study Guide, IT Project
Management: On Track From Start to Finish, and a book on achieving personal goals,
The Lifelong Project. You can read more about project management at
www.projectseminars.com and his approach to goal achievement through
www.lifelongproject.com.

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