Processes and Project Management

We regard Processes as the bedrock for successful Project Management. Why? I think W. Edwards Deming said it best:

"If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know what you're doing"

Our Project Plans should describe how we intend to leverage and operate our organisation's Standard Processes - which should (hopefully) exist above and beyond the Project. And not just our Project Management Processes (Schedule/Cost Management etc) but the technical delivery aspects also.

So what's in a Process? A set of defined standard tasks which work together for a specific purpose, each of which have:

• Input - The starting point, be it requirements, testing specifications, code which will be used in the task to produce an:
• Output - What comes out the end of the Task. The input or output may just be a draft Work Product rather than a final version.
• Responsibilities - Using standard RACI terminology (Responsible/ Accountable/ Consulted / Informed)
• Quality Criteria - This is so we can make sure the activity in the Task/Process was done correctly: this could be Acceptance Criteria, Verification Criteria etc, so we can review and audit the process if needed.
• Process Assets - Anything we can leverage to Reuse such as a standard Cost Model Template or Defect Log Template - or just relevant Policies/ Stratergies/ checklists etc. This stops us wasting effort re-inventing the wheel, ensures consistency across the organisation and adherence to standards/best practice.

Processes permeate all PPM approaches in the industry, be it PMBOK, PRINCE2, M_o_R etc; at PHC we have experience and/or certifications in the many of these and work to leverage these to help you. Our Project Templates, when released, will align to these Industry Standard Processes to make your life easier - and your Projects more successful.

What is your experience of Processes? Can you think of any other things that need to be defined in a Process? I have had one idea I've been kicking around in my head...

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