Developing a Robust Project Plan
Let’s consider that the world consists of three kinds of people: Optimists, Pessimists, and Realists. Optimists would build an efficient project plan that would satisfy most senior managers but most certainly be late and over budget. Pessimists would pad estimates, include every contingency they can think of, and aggravate most senior managers (and, do to other effects, end up being late). Realists would fall in the middle; however, in most circumstances that I’ve seen, realists are quickly eaten by optimists, pessimists and senior managers alike. Here’s an approach that (just might) satisfy all:
1) Develop an optimistic project plan; what I (and others) call the “Ideal Scene”.
2) Identify realistic risks based on historical data (change requests, issues logs, subject matter expertise, etc.)
3) Use standard, simple, out-of-the-text book risk management techniques to select appropriate risks and and identify preventive and contingency plans.
4) Alter the project plan accordingly.
The resulting plan should satisfy most optimists and pessimists; and if you’re good at negotiating (a core project management skill), you’ll satisfy your senior managers.
The key to success is this: Start optimistic. Apply changes based on historical data. You’ll end up with a robust project plan AND set stakeholder expectations.
Cheers.
