The 7 Ps

Hi,
This topic is all about getting some key things done before the project starts properly.

CONTENT:

My friend Michael introduced me to the concept of the 7 Ps more than 15 years ago. Often people ask me how they could have prevented the problems they are currently experiencing, and I find myself telling them about the 7 Ps. Sadly the 7 Ps is one of those concepts often labelled ‘common sense’, but less commonly applied.

(Caution, minor expletive follows.) The 7 Ps are Prior Preparation and Planning Prevent Piss-Poor Performance. For those of you of a sensitive persuasion, you can drop the word ‘piss’, and the point can still be made.

At a minimum, you need to know:
* What you want to achieve.
* Who you are doing it for.
* How you will go about it.
* Who will be involved.
* How you will keep track of progress.
* How you are going to start.
* How soon you need to/can be finished.
* How you will be able to tell that you have finished.

When you put these together, you will have a Project Definition.

If you are wondering what else could be handy at this point, you could find out:
* Whether your organisation has the will and the capacity to complete the project.
* Who can help the project to succeed, and how.
* Where the project will be undertaken, and whether this is the best place/space.
* How the resources you need can be secured by the project. (Resources include cash and people, and possibly other things.)
* What the known risks and issues are and how you will address them.

You can add these to the Project Definition to make it even more comprehensive.

Some people make a Project Schedule part of the Project Definition, but this will be described later.

...Geoff