Project Control Stage - Overview and Objective

Objective

 

To

 

            -  manage project work during a stage and prepare for the next stage,

 

in a way that

 

            -  controls project progress,

 

            -  controls the quality of project products,

 

            -  controls any changes that occur to previously agreed products,

 

            -  manages the configuration of the component products of the stage and the project,

 

            -  resolves any issues identified during the stage,

 

            -  provides consistent reports to management as defined in the stage schedule,

 

            -  controls the commitments of the project team and the expectations of the client,

 

            -  provides appropriate decision making information,

 

so that

 

            -  this stage can reach a successful conclusion and the project can progress to the next stage.

 

Overview

 

During a project stage, the focus should be on carrying out the work planned for the stage.  However, there are many project management activities that need to be carried out in addition to the project work itself.  In this methodology, these activities are arranged into a series of steps.  These steps fall into four categories:

 

            -  a step to initiate the stage,

 

            -  steps that are carried out on an on-going basis throughout the stage,

 

            -  steps that are carried out at the end of the stage,

 

            -  a step that is only carried out in an exception situation.

 

Most of these activities are planned for in the project and stage planning.  The procedures that are defined during Project Initiation, and are revised during further stage planning, are followed in these steps.

 

The Project Management activities include:

 

            -  monitoring and controlling project progress, through the use of regular checkpoints involving the project team and formal reviews with the Project Board,

 

            -  controlling the quality of products,

 

            -  controlling the way changes to baselined products are implemented,

 

            -  controlling and resolving issues that arise during the course of the project.

 

Several of the activities will result in changes to the stage schedule.  The Stage Manager should ensure that these changes are made smoothly, and that these changes are communicated to all concerned. Any changes made to individual work assignments should be confirmed in the regular checkpoint meetings.

 

In the event of a stage tolerance being exceeded, an exception situation will arise.  The Stage Plan will be replaced by an Exception Situation Report which will explain how the exception arose, the options examined, and the proposed actions.