I started so I better finish!  In two prior posts Manage Single Projects - It is as simple as 1, 2, 3 and Manage Single and Multiple Projects - as simple as 1, 2, 3 I talked about a simple enough (1-2-3) process for managing projects.  As the first post in this trio explained there are no shortage of processes such as the PMI, PRINCE2, MSF (Microsoft Solutions Framework), Scrum, SEI-CMM, etc..  However I see people looking for something simpler and something that works given the assumption that the projects will be managed in SharePoint.  It is clear that the basics of project management need to be facilitated (e.g., Plan, Track, Re-Plan, Adjust, etc.)  but given that the projects are being managed in a collaborative environment like SharePoint there are differences and opportunities.  It is way easier to manage projects in SharePoint as there is the potential for the real flow of information needed for project management that is sometimes so hard to get.  But you still have to know what you are doing - hence the need for a (simple) process.    

In the two prior posts I gave an extract of the 1-2-3 process for managing single project and managing many projects.  The reality is that groups evolve the way they manage projects.  Since this evolution is so obviously going to happen it should be recognised, organized and managed for.  Here is an extract of a sample 1-2-3 process for the third step, "Evolve Project Management".

1. Manage Single Projects
2. Manage Many Projects
3. Evolve Project Management
1. Define a policy / approach and an approval mechanism for evolving project management
2. Implement agreed changes (approved by the policy)
1. Build-in the desired project management process
1. Customize the project management processes (in SharePoint lists)
2. Customize the project management reports (in SharePoint web-parts)
1. Design (on paper) the project site pages incl. the home page
1. Identify key reports to include on what pages
2. Identify key charts and graphs to show on what pages
3. Identify key icon indicators to show on what pages
2. Add / customize the project site pages incl. the home page
3. Setup advanced reporting
3. Map navigation to mimic the desired process (using the SharePoint quick launch)
2. Improve the look and feel of the project management sites
3. Capture local best practices for reuse
3. Periodically evaluate the success of the project management evolutions policy and re-adjust the change policy as needed

Download ...

... you can download a draft of the complete 1-2-3 Project Management Steps

This post and download is definitely useful for some folks I know, but I am sure it is hard for others to follow, so next week I will record and post a webcast on the 1-2-3 process.  We will advertise the webcast on the BrightWork webcast page in the event you'd like to follow it live and ask questions.