Project Definition and Scoping

 

Introduction

“Most projects fail before they have even started”

This 2-day course provides an insight for Business Analysts and Project Managers into the need for robust Projection Definition (or Project Initiation). This early phase in the project lifecycle lays the foundations for delivering a project with well defined objectives, a robust business case, clear scope and, engaged and committed stakeholders. It ensures that the goals and expectations of those stakeholders are understood and managed.

The focus of the course is on using the right techniques and engaging stakeholders early to quickly produce and agree the scope.

The course examines the relationships and roles of the business analyst and project manager in defining a project.

Approach

This is a highly interactive course where participants are encouraged to learn though a mixture of lectures, exercises and group discussion. There is an emphasis on practical application through the use of a case study and several real project examples which will help participants increase their confidence in applying their learning in the real world.

Instructors

Instructors are experienced Business Analysts and Project Managers rather than ‘trained trainers’. They can therefore quote real-life examples as well as being able to confidently field delegates’ questions that might relate to projects or scenarios outside the scope of the course.

Course Objectives

The course aims to provide a robust approach to project definition and initiation. By the end of the course the attendee will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of project definition
  • Effectively define scope
  • Understand the drivers for projects and how projects may come about
  • Identify and engage relevant stakeholders during project definition
  • Define measurable project objectives
  • Manage stakeholder expectations (time vs. budget vs. quality)
  • Understand the relationship between Project  Managers and Business Analysts in completing project definition
  • Define the contents of a Project Definition Report (also known as Project Initiation Document)
  • Run a Project Definition workshop
  • Proceed from project definition into project delivery

Course Information

Pre-requisites:

  • Delegates should have worked as a Business Analyst or Project Manager for at least 12 months 

On-Going Support:

  • 90 days post-course support via email or telephone
  • Sample templates of common project documents provided as part of the course

Duration

  • 2 days
  • During on-site courses, an optional 3rd day can be used as a workshop session to apply the lessons learned to an organisation’s previous project or to consider a future project within that organisation

Participants

  • Maximum 10 delegates per course

Delivery Method

  • On-site course only

Course Content

1. Introduction/Context

1.1 Projects and the Project lifecycle

1.2 What is project definition and why do we need to do it

1.3 Who the key stakeholders are in Project Definition

1.4 IT led and Business led projects

1.5 Defining the problem

2. The key components of a PDR/PID

2.1 Overview of the contents of a Project Definition Report (or Initiation Document)

2.2 SMART Objectives

2.3 Project Constraints

2.4 Scope

2.5 Stakeholders

2.6 Quality Criteria

2.7 Risks, Issues and Dependencies

3. Managing Stakeholders and Expectations

3.1 Determining relevant stakeholders

3.2 The role of the Project Sponsor

3.3 Getting buy-in from stakeholders

3.4 Time vs. Budget vs. Quality

3.5 Techniques for managing stakeholder expectations

3.6 Producing a stakeholder win-loss analysis

3.7 Defining Software Quality criteria - Maintainability, Efficiency, Reliability, Flexibility, Usability, Conformity, Reusability, Portability, Auditability/Security

4. Getting the scope right

4.1 Techniques for defining scope

4.2 Defining ‘out of scope’ items

4.3 Using process and data models to define scope

4.3 Scoping checklist

5. The Business Case

5.1 Linking objectives and Business Cases

5.2 Overview of Business Case / investment appraisal techniques

5.3 Benefits realisation

6. Defining the project approach

6.1 Alternative approaches to projects (Waterfall, Agile, Iterative and Hybrid)

6.2 Influencing factors to consider when defining approach

6.3 Deciding deliverables

6.4 Building sign-off and quality criteria

7. The Project Definition workshop

7.1 Running a project definition workshop

7.2 Transition into delivery

Available Courses

This is available as an on-site course only, no public courses are scheduled.



If you would like further information on our courses, or would like to discuss how we can build a course for your organisation using our training modules, please contact us.