Project Management: On Ramping at the Pace of Change of a New Project

You are introduced to a new Project, for an existing project already in flight, they have already developed their own language and status and awareness. How do you come up to speed, and keep pace with a project already in flight?  

WHAT'S KEY: Present the "big picture"with intent to provide context. Identify a checklist of issues to be resolved before any training begins: office setup, software/hardware requirements, systems training, tool installation, passwords, documentation, introductions, recurring meetings, email distribution lists, etc.  

WHO'S WHO?  Understand who on the team is a good subject matter expert?  Who are the primary contacts who can serve as a mentor or adviser   

• WHAT'S MY ROLE?  Develop a training plan and checklist of possible tasks that clearly outlining the needed skills, success metrics, resources available, and the dates needed to meet deadlines.  
• Meet with mentor and subject matter experts
• Clarify roles and responsibilities
• Talk about the process, technology and decide how you will all stay in touch. 
• Discuss with mentor how to be successful on the team.
• HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY? Discuss meeting style, working style email vs. voicemail, handling interruptions, troubleshooting, problem resolution and escalation, contingency planning, status reporting, learning styles in this process.
• ARE WE PROCEEDING EFFECTIVELY?  Assess learning, providing feedback getting work done through the various process phases:  
1. Initiating
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing

TOOLS/DOCUMENTS/HELPS:

• Project Management Checklist:  This checklist (used by Stanford University Technical Services) shows phases of a project and the steps to complete each phase. This template set can be used as a good reference for the key PMP related knowledge areas:
1. Project Integration Management
2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management

YOUR TURN: What are some things you can do to help come up to speed and match the pace of a rapid, in flight IT Project? 

• ARE there any methods,  tools or checklists you have found useful to help you come up to speed on a new project that is already in flight? 

We will offer overviews of the concepts, and perhaps blog more on application, with your involvement, expand our possibilities. If you have ideas, let us know.

Dawn C Khan: ~ about.me | twitter | linkedin |