Tools and Techniques for Sizing Projects

Optimize the use of project management resources

Use a scalable project management approach that factors into consideration size, complexity, cost and risk for each project. Enable project governance structures and document how project decisions are made. Make sure all projects have authority to execute.

Continuously align project and business objectives

Prior to each project’s initiation, establish a project management governance structure that is appropriate to the project’s size, complexity and risks, including legal, regulatory and reputation type considerations.


Ensure sponsors have authority to execute projects

How should you go about it?

• Ensure accountability and commitment for key decisions and tasks
• Define roles, responsibilities and accountability for contributors
• Create an Organizational breakdown structure (OBS)

What risks should you avoid along the way?

• Failure to respond to issues with approved decisions
• Non compliance with the organizational reporting structures
• Confusion due to different project management approaches

What tools can you use?

• Hierarchical-type charts
• Matrix responsibility charts
• Text oriented formats

If Projects are like cars and gasoline – what octane level of tools do you need? "The metaphor I chose for the presentation was how to select the most appropriate project management tool octane in order to get the right balance of cost and power. There was a side benefit to the metaphor"

  ~ By Bruce McGraw

Simple Guide to Quickly Sizing/Costing a Project Up Front

"Use this simple guide to kick-start your projects when asked to give a reasonable estimate of the time or cost for the entire body of work."
   ~ By Neil Killick

Determine Project Size 

"Sizing a project determines the relative size of a project effort. The size of the project is used to determine the extent to which project management practices are formally applied to the project."

 ~ By  University of Wisconsin

Example project sizing tool

"This Project Sizing Tool divides projects into three categories (Small, Medium and Large), to indicate the appropriate level of risk management process." 

 ~ By David Hillson and Peter Simon - 2007

Size-Complexity Matrix |  https://wiki.state.ma.us/

"The Project Size/Complexity Matrix Template provides a scoring mechanism to determine the level of complexity associated with a project. The scoring evaluates the project on a number of dimensions that relate to the level or degree of risk, the technical requirements, the size of the project team, total project cost and other key factors. "