A project is a temporary endeavor to produce a product, service, or some result that is considered unique. It is a work effort over a defined timeline with start and finish dates.
As a consulting firm, most of our engagements start when a company has either initiated a project or identified an initiative and they require a qualified project manager who can manage the effort using a formal methodology. Without fail we use the tools and techniques developed by the PMI and presented in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), our industry standard.
The latest version of the PMBOK contains 49 distinct processes that span nine Knowledge Areas. Over the years we have developed an approach using only those processes required to produce a successful project result. Key to this approach is thorough planning, consistent monitoring and controlling to track progress during execution, and a smooth handoff to operations.
But we’re not done there – while proper project closing is important, it is also critical to ensure the operations team is prepared and capable and can maintain and support the product, or deliver the service produced by the project. The point is that while the project may be successful, if the product owner can’t generate profitable outcomes from the project output, the project may not be considered successful.