Defining the Scope
Identifying the resources
Define the plan
Execution
Testing & Delivering
No this blog is not about technical project management.
A book mentioned “humans by very nature are project manager”. Strange enough but I was able to understand this by carpenters work. We had this requirement of book shelves and Computer table for which we were looking for a carpenter. And we met Ravinder; Ravinder was a confident lean carpenter with promising voice. He approached us for taking this project. We elaborated the requirement.
Defining the scope
Once we finished Ravinder reiterated our requirements one by one – So you need a Bookshelves, Computer table. Then he took each one of them and started understanding our requirements and proposed few designs. Once we agreed on the design, he drew the sketch of the furniture and how will they look like in the end and we agreed.
- Basically this is a clarification of scope
- Agreement on the common understanding of the requirement
Identifying the resources
The agreement on the scope put the discussion to what are resources required. He clearly mentioned based on the discussion I will need these raw materials and two people. These two additional team members will only be required in last two days. The basic resources need to be in place before I kick start the project.
- Since the scope was clear and a good experience Ravinder was able to identify the effort and resources
- Also he has clear vision what material needs to be available when
Defining the plan-
We got a clear cut plan from the carpenter that the computer table will be deliver the day 2 and the almirah will be delivered by the end of day 3. On day 2-3 there will be three members on the job. The first member will finish the table and the two will make the readiness for the Book Shelves.
- There was clear plan and agenda defined for every day
- This agenda was also shared with the other two team members and also the deadline was shared.
Execution-
The execution started, there was substantial progress which was made on the day 1, Ravinder continuously updated us about the work and review the progress. On day 2 two more team members joined the project and started working. They had clear definition of the scope and were working independently. Obviously the initial design was already discussed with them. All the team members reviewed their work with Ravinder once they finished a milestone.
- Progress and status updates were shared with the end customer (us)
- The team members were clear for there scope and were able to deliver there work.
- There were regular meetings for reviewing the tasks completed.
- Ravinder gave us the updates which we wanted to listen, after compiling the inputs from the team.
Testing & Delivering
The table and almirah was delivered on time and as per the expected cost. This wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent planning and competency of all the people involved.
Once all of this was completed, I started thinking that the human mind is a natural project manager. Otherwise this excellent project execution wouldn’t have been possible. We need to learn this from the people who don’t even know what a PMP course is. The point is what really a matter is how well you know your job and how diligently you perform them. By doing this you get better and better everyday.
