I have firmly decided to never again accept another project. Ever. Unless, that is, certain parameters are met:
- Project definition
What do you want to do? In detail. Why? - Project scope
When will this end?
(Can be either time or accomplishment based.) - Project outcome
What defines success for this project? - Project deliverables
What do you want to see as an output of this project? (Similar to project outcome, but not exactly the same.) - Project resources
Who, what, time, money … and so forth.
Having those, I can make a good estimate of time required and chance of success. Absent these, who really knows?
And having those, I have a built-in tracking device that tells me how I’m doing. Am I half complete or just starting? A quick check at the deliverables will reveal everything I need to know.
[tags] project management, projects, john koetsier [/tags]