The question every project team should answer

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The Question Every Project Team Should Answer

Project Planning and Controlling, MSPM, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Introduction

4 Dimensions of Why Statement

Importance of Why Statement

How to Develop a Useful Why State...

5 Ps of Project Branding

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Conclusion & Questions......


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The Why Statement is an important element in project’s branding

Why Statement serves as guideline to all team members and stakeholders to keep their attentions aligned rather than to go elsewhere

Why Statement saves from conflicts and confusion on pursuing the team members or project leaders

The Why Statement serves as useful tool that aligns the efforts of team members

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It keeps focused both the projects leaders and stakeholders

It helps to maintain support through all project branding phases from pitch to payoff.

Why Statement compels the decision makers to listen the rest of the story regarding the value and worth of project to organization

It plays vital role to ensure that project activities will be useful to fix the core business issues

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It keeps the team focused and tracked as per planning

Why Statement is important to keep engaged all stakeholders at a single platform

Provides the strong reason to the organization to clinch the project

It helps to ensure the help throughout the project from the whole organization

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Why Statement helps as evaluating the performance

Highlights whether the progress to date will help to address the underlying issues or not

To maintain project momentum it helps as a cry rallying

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“Why”

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If you’re travelling to an unfamiliar location,you wouldn’t leave home without a big red circle around you destination on either a physical or virtual map

If the project plan is the heartbeat of a solid project management methodology, the scope statement is the breath...

In many corporate projects, team members can’t explain the point of what they are doing and that increases the likelihood of failure.

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Why statement helps as evaluating the performance

Highlights whether the progress to date will help to address the underlying issues or not

To maintain project momentum it helps as a cry rallying

Without a solid why statement a project team can become overwhelmed by conflict and confusion

“Why”

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“Why” A project without a clear and compelling why can lead to:

Wasted effort

Missed project objectives,

Dissatisfied clients,

Poor business performance,

Demoralized team members and

Damage to the reputations of the team leader and the

project

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“Why” Producing a good why statement often requires both a lot

of work and heated debate. A structured discussion focusing on four key dimensions which can speed up the process...

Identity

Location

Timing

Measurability

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The first question, identity, requires that the problem be clearly stated. For identifying problem Ask What?

What happened or will happen?

What are the symptoms?

What are the consequences to others?

What circumstances surround the occurrence of the problem?

What is not functioning as desired?

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Location is the second dimension of an effective why statement for identifying location:

ASK WHERE

Where is the problem occurring?

Where did it or will it have an impact?

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The third dimension, timing, involves specifying time line of problem. For identifying time:

ASK WHEN

When did it or will it happen?

When did it first occur? and how long it is likely to persist if no action is taken

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Magnitude is the fourth dimension and speaks to the significance and scale of the issue: to identify magnitude:

ASK HOW

How big is the problem in measurable terms?

How long will it persist.

The Why Statement is an essential element in any project’s brand. Without a solid why, a team can become overwhelmed by conflict and confusion, and all-important supporters can and will direct their attention elsewhere.

A project’s brand determines its reputation in the organization and influences the level of resource investment, voluntary effort and “buzz” surrounding the initiative.

Solid project branding occurs in five interrelated stages, which we call the “Five Ps of Project Branding.” The why statement plays an important role at each stage.

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1. Project Pitch

2. Project Plan

3. Project Platform

4. Project Performance

5. Project Payoff


Project

Pitch

Plan

PlatformPerformance

Payoff

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Key Action

The reason for the project is articulated and sold.

Outcome

Decision makers and team members are convinced the project will deliver value to the organization.

The Value of Why

A project pitched with a clear and compelling why will inspire people to feel the project is worth the time and effort.

1. Project Pitch


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Key ActionProject planning is competent,

transparent and inclusive.

Outcome

All stakeholder are confident of and committed to the project.

The Value of WhyEnsures activities will address the core business problem.

Keeps the team focused and on track during planning.

2. Project Plan


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Key ActionThe project is officially launched with a level of fanfare and formality appropriate for the project and the organization.

Outcome

Project and team have credibility and legitimacy with key stakeholders.

The Value of Why◦ Provides the reason for the rest of the organization to

hold the project.

◦ Engages all stakeholders. Ensures support throughout the organization.

3. Project Platform


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Key ActionThe project is delivered with transparent results and effectively recovers from setbacks.

Outcome

There are no surprises for stakeholders, who remain aware, engaged and supportive.

The Value of Why◦ Is the measure against which performance is evaluated.

◦ Highlights whether progress to date has (or will) resolve the underlying problem. Serves as a rallying cry to maintain

project momentum.

4. Project Performance


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Key ActionDefinitive close of the project and dissemination of proof of project promise and lessons learned.

Outcome

Stakeholders are aware of the project’s conclusion and contributions.

The Value of Why◦ Is the definitive benchmark of project completion.

◦ Provides the baseline from which the project’s proof of promise is presented.

5. Project Payoff


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Project Charter and Scope related questions

Project Time Constraints related questions

Project Cost Management related questions

About Project and Project Team Productivity

related questions

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What did the project team accomplish this week?

What does the project team need to accomplish

next week?

What’s the current status of project issues?

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Every project should must have a solid Why Statement to

give guideline and shows the clear picture of project to

each stakeholder of the project.

Many projects fail because they are launched without a

clearly articulated reason why they’re being pursued.

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Without a clear vision, a project team can become

overwhelmed by conflict and confusion.

Exploring the four dimensions of a compelling

“Why Statement” can improve a project’s chances of

success.

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Last Words of Thinking / Future research dimension

What Are The Questions Which a Project Manager Should

Never Ask to his/her Team or Any of Project Stakeholder(s).

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The question every project team should answer

Leadership & Management

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