This paper is an update of a paper prepared for the June 2002 IPMA Conference in Berlin. It contains content from various training materials developed for the World Bank. The current paper is copyright to Robert Youker, © 2007.
Published here January 2008.
Introduction | Document #1: On-the-Job Tasks for the Project Manager 
Modules 1-3 | Modules 4-6 | Module 7 | Modules 8-9 | Modules 10-12
Document #2: The Project Manager's Duties | Document #3: Typical Elements in a Project Charter

Modules 4-6

Module 4: Analyzing the Project Context

  • Identify relevant actors and factors.
  • Determine the degree of dependency of the project on each actor or factor.
  • Estimate the risk (for example, the probability of something going wrong) associated with each relevant actor or factor.
  • Assess the degree of management control or influence over the actor or factor.
  • Identify actors or factors that need special attention.
  • Develop strategies for increasing control or influence, including informal linkages (for example, inviting a person to lunch) and formal linkages (for example, forming a committee).
  • Develop a plan to cope with potential problems caused by actors and factors, especially those characterized by medium or high dependency, medium or high risk, and medium or low control.

Module 5: Refining Objectives, Scope, and Other Project Parameters

  • Lead the project team in reviewing the project analysis report.
  • Work with team members as a group to systematically review the project analysis report and to reach a common understanding of objectives, deliverables, organization structure, and other key parameters.
  • Set the control period and level of detail.
  • Develop product structure by listing major components and subcomponents.
  • Review the overall budget and the budget for each deliverable.
  • Clarify process structure (for example, life span sub phases, milestones, and decision gates) for the implementation phase of the project life span.
  • Identify where a project is in its life span.
  • Identify risks and resolve issues. Issues may relate to deliverables, schedule, budget, risks, and so forth.
  • Make recommendations to management.

Module 6: Preparing the Work Breakdown Structure, Responsibility Matrix, and Master Summary Schedule

  • Convert the product structure into a tree diagram.
  • Add necessary process-related work from the process structure to the work breakdown structure (WBS).
  • Add the necessary organization-related work to the WBS.
  • Adjust the level of detail of the WBS as required.
  • Code the WBS.
  • Create a responsibility matrix.
  • Create a master summary schedule.
Modules 1-3  Modules 1-3
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