Project management

Topic 4Organisation

Organisational Structure

Four layers• Corporate Management– Instigates the project and

overall constraints• Project Board– Provides direction for the project– Manages by exception

• Project Manager– Day to day management of the project

• Team Manager– Manages the specialists

Job roles

• Job descriptions are created to describe:– What authority the job role has– What responsibility the job role has – What assurance responsibility the job role has

• Roles can be shared, divided or combined except:– Project manager role cannot be shared– Decision making roles cannot be delegated

Project Board• Executive, Senior User, Senior Supplier

– Appointed by the corporate• Responsible for making key decisions

– Committing resources: cash, personnel, equipment– Overall direction and management– Approves major plans and changes

• Accountable for the success of the project• Signs off at end of stage• Authorises the start of the new stage• Appoints the Project Manager• Responsible for project assurance

– Reports to the corporate

ExecutiveRepresents the business interestResponsible for:– Development and updating of the Business Case– Project Organisation Structure and Plans– Monitoring and controlling progress– Problem Referral– Formal Closure– Post Project Review

• Ultimately accountability for the project

Senior User

Represents those who will use or benefit from the final product

Responsible for:• Making sure the requirements are clearly

defined and complete• Making sure that the outcome will meet user

needs and provide expected benefits• Project assurance from a user perspective

Senior Supplier

Represents those who provide the resources and skills to create the product

Responsible for:• Achieving the required results for the senior user• The quality of all products delivered• Ensuring the products are delivered within budget

and time• Realistic design and development proposals• Authority to commit supplier resources

Project Assurance

• Monitor all aspects of the project and product performance independently of Project Manager

• Ensure that standards are adhered to• Continually checks the business case• Ensure that the customer requirements are met• Watch for conflict of interest

Project Manager

Responsible for:• Day-to-day management of the project• Ensuring the project produces the required products

to the required quality standard and on time and in budget

• Ensure the projected benefits are met• Managing the project processes – not doing the work• Planning, communicating, quality, monitoring, needs,

strategy, team work, changes, funds, customer liaison

Team Manager

• Ensures production of delegated products– on time and in budget

• Manages specialist teams– May require specialist skills

• Is directed by Project Manager• Reports to Project Manager and Senior

Supplier

Project Support

• Provides administrative services• Expertise with planning and control softwareConfiguration Librarian:– Manages Configurations

Product Support Office:– Permanent team that provides support to many

projects