204 Project Management
- How will work assignments be made?
- What are appropriate and inappropriate channels of
communication? - What will be the frequency of team meetings?
- How will progress be tracked?
- What documentation will be used for change control?
Figure 11-1 lists some of the elements you’ll need to include
in your Project Management Configuration Plan. As with any
other template or form, you’ll need to expand or modify the
PMCP to suit your specific project, your organizational culture,
the members of your project team, your organization’s existing
procedures, and your management style.
The PMCP serves as an excellent communication tool. It
provides several stakeholders (your team, the customer, and
Planning
General approach
- preferred process
- who should be involved
- required documentation
Scope definition - defining tasks
- sizing of work packages
- use of a WBS dictionary
Time estimating - estimating effort
- estimating duration
- estimating contingency
- preparing a basis of estimate
Cost estimating - preferred procedure
- estimating contingency
- preparing a basis of estimate
Schedule preparation - graphical format
- use of software
Execution and Control
Progress measurement
- methods of measuring
- verification requirements
- required documentation
Change management procedures - when to report a change
- required documentation
- approval limits and proce-
dure - distribution of contingency
Team meeting guidelines - frequency
- attendance expectations
- general agenda
- format for status reports
Communications/Personnel
Roles and responsibilities
Rules of engagement
Mutual expectations
Review and approval procedures
Figure 11-1. Portion of a project management configuration plan