Err…”I would prefer to use that time meaningfully by doing some other project activities”…
“Lets do it after completing all project activities”…
“I am bothered/focused about delivering the project! ! ! lets give low priority for documentation”…
“I will complete one more project instead of doing documentation”
Sounds familiar! ! !… You may heard any/all the above quotes from lot of PMs including yourself. These are the common words used by lousy PMs. If you ushered any of these, then its time to raise a Change Request to change yourself.
Project Documentation is one of the less interested area as it required numerous efforts but not much loudly applauded. But actually this is a key subject of Planning Process Group and spreads across few knowledge areas.
Lets look into some key points related to project documentation.
Why Documentation?
Project Documentations are established as multi purpose tool which can be used very effectively for the successful project delivery.
1. To define the project scope and agree by all project stakeholders and project teams. Thus everybody involved in the project shares the same expectations on what to expect, what to do, when to do, when to receive and so on.
2. Referred to clear disputes between various project stakeholders if arises
3. Historical reference which provides detailed insider information
Benefits of doing documentation
Apart from the above benefits, it offers some additional fringe but valuable benefits.
1. Helps to create very detailed WBS and result in drafting a realistic achievable schedule
2. Reduces un-necessary surprises and risks
3. Helps to predict the project progress during project execution and take pro-active measures to tackle challenges
4. It will project your image as a “No non-sense PM” who has the clear understanding of the project requirements to all the stakeholders from Project Sponsor to team member
5. Your Portfolio Manager loves and relies you to assign more mission critical/sensitive projects to you.
Change your perception about the project documentation and start focus more on this area. You will start see the hidden benefits and starts ripping them.
-Posted by Dhana