When a Project Manager is assigned for a new or an ongoing project; S/he has to follow systematic steps to avoid surprises or conflicting situations. This extracted from hands-on-experience.

1. Assigned to an Active Project..??
Adil Abdalla
January 2010

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4. The Platform
Statuary Permits
& Authorizations
PM Formal
Assignment
Baseline
Alignment
Assignment
KYC
Executive
Actions
Business
Environment
Information
& Intelligence
Exercise &
Process
Change
Execution
Plan
Run
SWOT Analysis
Formal Updated
Project Plan
Stakeholders
Analysis
Management
Alignment
Review & Assess
Project Plan
You are
Here!
Priority Actions & Quick Wins
Road Mapping & Little Planning
Careful & Potentially Problematic

5. At Which Phase?
Set Quality Limits
Manage Baselines
Manage Expectations
A
B
C
A
Wishfulness
Design Delivery
C
Timeline
B
Control
Procure Construction
Construction Delivery

6. 1- How?
Negotiated
A corporate runs outsourcing and/or exercise
advanced standards of HR management.
Put Your Terms..!
Processed
A PMO which adequately runs the show as
per the leveling procedures, yet there should
be a room to post the PM concerns
Instructed
Most of running Corporates are not
democratic, nor considerate about the
assignee’s reaction or interests
Your Assignment is Formally:

7. OK.. Formally?
ActPlanDoStudy
Authority Client PM Peer Reviewer Consultant Contractor
Accept
Check
Conformity
Start
Close
Project
Plan 5.0
Check
Conformity
Files &
Records
Files &
Records
Files&
Records
Prepare
Status
Report
Publish
Prepare
Status
Report
Prepare
Status
Report
Files &
Records

8. 2- Why You?
Savor
If so, it is your successful career path to
pursue your personal endeavors.
Aim High.. It is Possible
Replaceable
Most of Staff are replaceable, till the further
suitable one is spotted. Master your referrals;
before it is too late..
Dispensable
Certainly; you have a cloudy HR File;
therefore chosen to be slaughtered..
Update Your Resume & Networks
The Management Defines You as:

9. OK.. Are You?
Blind
Self
Unknown
Self
Private
Self
Public
Self
Unknown to Self Known to Self
KnowntoOthersUnknowntoOthers
Behavior
Time
To Gain Trust
Speak
Customer's Language
Anticipate Customer’s
Expectations
Quickly
Response to Queries
Maturely Show off
Your Efforts !!

10. 3- Where?
Strong Matrix
It sounds great, yet predicts great hassles
with the line-managers. Regretfully, team-
members will pay
Weak Matrix
This is the irrevocable proof or your
professional capacity, leadership and
mastering. Set it free & loud
No Matrix
This situation would work both ways, either
to boot you up, or drive you to seek another
career to pursue
The Project Team is Evolved from:

11. OK.. Corporate??
Strategic & Tactical Coordination
(A PMO Role)
TheProjectTeam
A Technical Unit
The
Manager
A Technical Unit
The
Manager
A Technical Unit
The
Manager
A Technical Unit
The
Manager
The
Project Manager
Corporate Maturity
Corporate Culture
Public Culture
Political Maturity
CSR Structure
A Team
Member
A Team
Member
A Team
Member
A Team
Member
Instructions
Report
Instructions
Report
Instructions
Report
Instructions
Report

12. 4- Why?
Growing
Growth is Natural & Rationale
Requires Advanced Leadership
It is a Management Credit
Problematic
Inadequate Launch Leaves Scars
Heroic Quest in Unmarked Mine-Field
Probabilities & Results Vary
Chaotic
Messy Planning Creates Chaos
Assign a Martyr not a Savor
Make the Sacrifices worth
The Project Status is:

13. Project Manager
Consultant
Contractor
Acceptance Log
Change Log
Instructions Log
Cost Tracking
Schedule Tracking
Scope Tacking
Progress Report
Daily Safety Report
Project Directory
Communication Log
Inspection Log
Submittal Log
Risk Management Log
Safety Log
Equipment Daily Report
Payments
Labor Daily Report
Daily/Weekly Progress
Info Request Log
Inspection Request Log
Submittal Request Log
Status Report
Project Plans
Test Reports
Cash Flow & Updates
Procurement Plan
Quality Log
Reporting Flow in Construction Projects
OK.. Audit?
Positive
Reporting
Status
Negative
Reporting

14. 5- When?
Post Board
Either they want to change baselines, or
leadership. Apparently; someone trusts you..
Should you grab the chance
During
This is always the case, when assigning or
replacing of a Project Manager takes place..
Just do your best to move on..
Pre Board
Lots of political games; either you are the
cover-up; or prey.. Get read for both fire and
nasty situations
Timely; Assigning You:

15. Launch
Competition
Design
Tender
Award
ProgressBusiness or Technical Changes
Project is Constructible
Project meets Constraints
Project meets Standards
Project is Confirmed Feasible
Project is Identified
PP 2.0
PP 1.0
PP 3.0
PP 4.0
Baseline
PP 0.0
PP 5.0
Project
Charter
Baseline
Update
PM’s
Assessment
Design
Close-out
PM’s
Assessment
Change
Ok.. Which Stage?

16. Response?
Strategy Review
Position the project within the spectrum of
business strategy and targets
Baseline Updates
Quick, then in depth review of status of
baseline, performance and progress
KPIs States
Quick, then in depth analysis of KPIs
States, defining true positioning
Your Swift Actions are:
Team Review
Quick interviews with Project Team to
define their current and future roles
Assignment Mandate
Analyze, understand and define true merit
and purpose of your assignment

17. Actions?
Management Support
Roles & Responsibilities
Culture & Performance
Your 1st Targets are:
Exit Strategy
Team Alignment
Get closer, Get them anxious, yet get
mastering whatsoever you do.
Defining who is who, in clear terms is the
inevitable breakthrough
Everyone has a driving culture; get to
know yours; then honor or enhance
Regardless the contractual terms, define
your own exit, and work for it
Either way, build your own team, as per
your own mindset and vision.

18. Overwriting?
SWOT Analysis
Stakeholders Analysis
Procurement States
Your Critical Homework is:
Constraints &
Assumptions
Gap Analysis
Improper SWOT analysis leads to chaotic
business and failure
This is the merit of KYC, and unspoken
political structure as well. Do it..!
This is where you would make it or break
it.. Carefully watch your steps
A channel to structure good relation with
Biz Guys.. They can lift you high
What is missing in your assignment
instruction, description and mandate?

19. Next..?
Lots of Good Luck..
You will need it; either way..!!