Every project is unique. Different projects have different deliverables, timelines, budgets, and stakeholders.
With such diversity and complexity, how do we ensure that every project meets its specific requirements and objectives gracefully?
Well, many companies rely on project integration management as a standard practice.
Project integration management brings all the various project elements together and ensures they work harmoniously as a unified whole.
So, how can you succeed in integrating your projects?
In a nutshell, you need to follow the processes of project integration management.
Read on to learn the best processes to help you achieve your desired project goals.
The 7 Processes of Project Integration Management
Let’s explore processes of project integration management to understand their significance and how they contribute to business process intergration success.
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1. Create a Project Charter
Before you handle any project, you need to create the project’s charter and identify key players, like the project manager and stakeholders.
The project charter contains:
- Scope
- Objectives and deliverables
- Project team members
- Project risks
- Benefits or returns on investments
- Budget
- Business case
The charter plays a crucial role in gaining buy-in and support from stakeholders. Also, it empowers you to progress swiftly and confidently within the defined project scope.
2. Devise a Project Management Plan
Once you have a charter, you must devise a comprehensive project management plan.
This plan serves as a detailed roadmap, outlining the project's scope, deliverables, timeline, milestones, and performance metrics that will gauge its success.
To develop a plan that aligns with your goals, it’s important to:
- Define project requirements, deliverables, and objectives.
- Establish the scope of work.
- Break down project tasks into manageable components.
- Come up with a schedule.
- Identify risks and devise contingency plans.
- Set key performance indicators to evaluate project progress and success.
3. Direct and Manage Project Tasks
The next crucial phase is project execution. At this point, the project manager assumes responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day work that must be accomplish. This includes:
Leading the project team members in executing their assigned tasks.
Holding regular meetings with stakeholders to keep them informed about project progress.
Continuously monitoring the project activities to ensure tasks are on track, deadlines are met, and potential issues are identified and addressed promptly.
Its important to incorporate project management tools while managing project tasks. You can check out a list of project management tools by Attrock to get you started.
4. Manage Project Knowledge
This step ensures that team members are equipped with all the essential information to produce the required deliverables effectively.
One effective way to enhance knowledge sharing and learning among team members is through online course platforms.
The good thing is, any knowledge gained during this process adds to the organization's overall body of knowledge, creating a valuable resource for future strategic initiatives.
5. Monitor and Control Project Work
Its important to closely track project activities and ensure adherence to the project management plan.
This helps to keep the project on course and promptly identify and rectify any deviations from the plan.
During this process, you need to:
- Mitigate the potential negative impact of project risks before they escalate.
- Realign future project performance with the original project plan when deviations are identified.
- Resolve or replace documented project defects.
For financial aspects, such as tracking expenses and managing budgets, startups can also consider utilizing startup bookkeeping services to maintain financial transparency and enhance decision-making capabilities.
6. Perform Integrated Change Control
This process involves assessing change requests to ensure they align with the project's scope and avoid scope creep.
For instance, when clients request additional assets, evaluating the impact on the project becomes essential.
You should document all changes approved, their associated costs and resources, and how they affect the project timeline in the change control log.
7. Finalize the Project
This is the final phase of project integration management, initiated once all project work is completed.
At this point, its important to hold a final meeting is with stakeholders to provide a comprehensive overview of the project.
You can then formally close the project contract and ensuring all contractual obligations have been met.
Final thoughts
Now, you have an idea of the processes of project integration management that you need to follow to achieve your goals.
Remember, it's not just about following these processes blindly; instead, approach them with the big picture in mind.
So, are you having a hard time managing your projects? Follow the above processes next time you’re handling a project and easily achieve your goals.
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