This week lecture covers the project life cycle. One of the shortcomings of the project life cycle model is that it is too project-focused. It places the project in isolation and not as part of a broader business initiative. This often creates a sense of “project myopia”. Project managers get an idea of what is right for the project’s success, but miss what they should do to meet the client’s needs. Perhaps the project planning took too long and the client’s goals are now completely different. Or maybe there is new management at the client’s company that doesn’t support the original objectives. The traditional project life cycle model wouldn’t tell you these things. What modifications or adjustments do you think can be made throughout the project life cycle to create a more integrated approach to project management?
With most models, they all have the consequence of not looking at the broad picture, since it only involves at the model at hand. The purpose of the project life cycle model is to view the process of the project from start to finish. What would help with preventing "project myopia" is integrating the broad picture/ business initiative into the process, such as starting off the project as a part of a program that would benefit the company, etc. and remind the people involved in the project the purpose of the project. However, plans and the client's needs can change over time, which may vary from the business initiative and initial goals of the project. I think the best way to go about about changes is to discuss it with the team involved on the project and re evaluate if it's necessary to change course. There is no set way to incorporate the business model into the project cycle model, but it would be a good start with reminding the people involved on the project what the main goal is.
I think the model needs, as Shurah said, a more holistic approach. This needs to start all the way in the beginning of the discussions surrounding the project. When it is first started, the goals need to be laid out, but then more considerations should be factored in. Things like the desired timeline for a project’s completion as well as the goals to hit along the way are important to discuss. Most important to me, would be an inclusion of how this product or project fits into the business’ plan for the future. Then ensuring that this is revisited during each major meeting and check point along the life of the project will ensure that the project will be able to be completed and be successful for the greater goals of the company.
I agree that the project life cycle model should incorporate a more holistic approach to combat "project myopia", however I would like to add that regular interactions with the clients should be stressed more. Not only does meeting often and regularly with the clients allow for effective communication on what the project should entail, but also the changes in a client's goal can be addressed sooner rather than later. Furthermore, this allows for the more constant reminder of the bigger picture or goal of the project, since the clients often see the bigger picture and not too much of the technical details. As for the project taking too long, meetings with the client should address time issues or the predicted time of completion, as openly and clearly as possible, to minimize the chances that the client develops a new goal due to time issues. By reminding and explicitly showing the timeline of the project with the client, the client has a better understanding and won't be as frustrated with the project as to change project goals. Thus, I believe frequent and clear communication with the client is important to relieve "project myopia" and also for the project's success.
