Transitioning to ongoing support - the icing on the project management cake part 2

Sufficient Reference Documentation

Documentation is always the last thing to do in any project's list. No one really likes doing documentation so this is one of the lowest priority in anyone's list. We will do it later is the usual thought but unfortunately later usually never comes.

Project Managers should always ensure that this is part and parcel of any activities in their plan and a gradual documentation along the way will ensure that there is no large pile of paper work to be done at the end of the project.


This will ensure that there can be a proper transition for ongoing support as well as a reference point for current and future support team members as well future projects. Come end of the project and everyone moves on to other projects and tasks, the memories of the project team will diminish and who know even if they are engaged for future enhancements for the current project, their memory of what was done my not be as fresh so will involve another learning curve.

Documentation should also not only be by volume but be also in quality and content as a lot of documentation which does not help a reader find the solution easily defeats the purpose.

Storage of the documentation is also important as it needs to be readily accessible by the team members and also adequate backups need to be in place.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The art of defect tracking - the perception of a good project

Image
Defects are all part of any project. How you manage them will determine how successful the project is perceived to be. You may have many defects but managed well, you can still give your customers / partners a perception that the project is going well. Why do I use the word perception ? Because inherently people's view on how things are going are based on perceptions. This may or may not be anchored on the reality of the situation. Part of the skill of a good project manager is marketing the situation at hand. With good marketing skills, a good project manager can create an illusion that the project is going well while sorting out issues in the background. More on this in later postings. Defects are essentially tasks that were not in the original project plan due to oversight or lack of planning. So instead of tasks to be done earlier in the project, these will need to be inserted into the plan later on in the project life cycle or even in post implementation phase. How ...
Read more

Human cost of overworking and toxic workplace culture

Image
Overworking and Toxic Workplace culture i is costing too many lives.  Life as it is ...  A friend of mine shared a post recently with great sadness, that highlighted the recent passing of 2 people in India, due to workplace stress and toxic workplace practices. Reading more into this topic, unfortunately I don't believe this is an issue that is isolated to India. The misalignment of corporate rhetoric and actual practices is unfortunately a reality. Leaders need to do more to promote better work practices, as well as to also set the example for aligning the expectations. Too many times the junior team members are looking at the seniors and trying to match their working styles which includes working more hours, just because they feel that that is the norm, and they will lose out if they don't do the same. Even when taking medical leave or any personal time out, practices like putting your mobile number in your out of office message, and asking people to contact you, I believe ...
Read more

Project Management Lessons from the Chinese New Year Lion Dance on Stilts

Image
Project Management Lessons from the Chinese New Year Lion Dance on Stilts As a project manager with several years of experience, I often find inspiration for leadership, teamwork, and execution in the most unexpected places. This Chinese New Year, while observing the preparation for a mesmerizing Lion Dance on stilts performance, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between this ancient art form and the essential components of project management. Watching the performers rehearse with precision, dedication, and teamwork reminded me of the critical importance of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and collaboration during a project deployment. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Preparation Is Everything: The Foundation of Success The Lion Dance on stilts is a breathtaking display of acrobatics and cultural artistry. However, what most spectators don’t see is the extensive preparation behind the scenes. Each performer practices tirelessly, ensuring every move is synchronized, every jump calculated,...
Read more