It seems to me that a lot of work is now being classed as a project. In fact, the work is just work, not really a project in the true sense of widely agreed meanings. However, people want to use the components of project management to help them get through the work. So, they get some training, learning about the tools, techniques and templates.  All of these things can help them be more productive and efficient. 

Before you actually launch into a project though, it’s worthwhile to ask a few questions. If you are the project manager, your life will be consumed with questions (and hopefully logical, actionable answers). Here are a few to kick off with the project sponsor or whoever commissioned the project.

Basically, you want to know that the business will be better off when the project is completed:

• How will completing the project and realising the benefits help achieve higher revenue?
• How will the project reduce costs for the business?
• How will finishing the project and implementing the new thing improve the service to customers?
• Will the completed project contribute to getting more market share or new customers?
• How will the completed project and its deliverables meet the requirements of a new regulation or new law?

If there aren’t answers to these questions, then maybe it’s not a project. You can still use tools to help you work the problem, but you won’t need the formality of a full project management methodology. 

Of course, your project may be part of a programme of work that contributes to a larger, longer term business objective or long term change programme, but all projects need at least one business objective of their own to fit with the bigger picture.

Ask questions to get clarity, then you will be able to plan accordingly.

Carol Speirs

December 2020