Manage customer expectations

And We Shall Be Luminous Again

Get it in writing to avoid misunderstanding project objectives and requirements.

Good practice is to understand and document the project scope. Do your best to confirm customer expectations and needs are aligned. It’s in everyones best interest to ensure the project definition is approved in writing.

Always provide stakeholder's with a written statement of the work which defines the scope and benefits for the project. Make sure there is a common understanding so there is minimal room for differences later on down the road.

Avoid failure of projects to meet business and user requirements

It is very important to ensure that key stakeholder's and the project sponsor agree upon and approve the business requirements for the project, including definition of project success and acceptance criteria.

To make a difference, do the following:

• Baseline the project plans so success can be measured.
• Assign key stakeholders with project accountability.
• Facilitate the creation of a master project plan.
• Make sure there is effective utilization of project resources.

Avoid these high risk areas:

• Misunderstanding of project objectives and requirements
• Failure of projects to meet business and user requirements
• Unclear understanding of the impact on interrelated projects

Arctic Wonderland by Sarah Anne Johnson

Increase the likelihood of your project delivering, business benefits.

Everyone understands the importance of establishing a common understanding and getting buy-in. especially when there is the need for the help of others. Good management and success is important and can’t be ignored.

Make sure you get commitment and participation from stakeholders in the definition and execution of your project. It's the best way to get buy-in and make sure you're on the right track.

What to Avoid:

• Undefined, or ambiguous responsibilities and accountability for cost and success.
• Insufficient stakeholder participation developing requirements and reviewing deliverables.
• Reduced understanding and delivery of business benefits.

Ensure there is a common understanding for the project objectives across business and end users.

Obtain the commitment and participation of all stakeholders, including senior leadership of affected user departments and end users in the initiation, definition and authorization of a project.

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What you accomplished is major and wonderful, but it is history. What matters now, is what you do next.