Direct Project (DP)

Purpose

This process enables the Project Board to make the key decisions regarding the project, which make them accountable for the project. The overall control is established and day-to-day management activities is delegated to the project manager. The Project Board becomes the interface to the Corporate, ensuring that control is exercised during every stage, communication is established with the project manager and post-project benefits are reviewed. 

Directing a project is a five step process - 

1. Authorizing Project Initiation Stage to start 

2. Authorizing the delivery stages to start

3. Authorizing Control and Manage Stage Boundary processes by reviewing the existing stage and authorizing the next stage to begin, or by authorizing an exception plan to complete the current stage

4. Giving ad-hoc direction throughout the project

5. Authorizing Closing a Project stage

Process flow

Directing a project phase starts with the appointment of the Project Board, which reviews and authorizes the project initiation. The steps involved are:

1. Initiate a project by defining the work that needs to be done to deliver the required artefacts. Project Initiation Documentation (PID) is created by the Project Manager and reviewed by the Project Board.

2. Manage the Stage Boundary by monitoring the current stage, planning the next stage plan and updating the project plan. Exception Plan and End Stage Report are submitted to the Project Board for review.  

3. Control Stage involves day-to-day management of a stage of the project by the Project Manager. The controls that were set up initially are exercised under this stage. Highlight and Exception reports are to submitted to mark the completion of this process. 

4. Close Project process is the check point where the project has reached its objectives and the products have been accepted. Project report is submitted along with the request to close the project. 

Inputs

1. Authorization to Initiate the Project from the Project Board

2. Project Brief from Starting up Process

3. The Initiation Stage Plan from Starting up Process  

Key Deliverables

Project Initiation Document; project approach, business case, benefits, project controls, team structure and role descriptions 

Exception Plan; cause of exception, consequences of deviation, options, recommendation, lessons and major risks

End Stage Reports; review of the business case, project objectives, stage objectives, team performance products, risks and forecasts

Highlight Reports; status summary, reporting periods, change request and lesson log

Project Plan; prerequisites, approach, assumptions, budget and schedule