Developing your project planning and execution architecture Travis Barker, MPA GCPM Innovate Vancouver Consulting@innovatevancouver.org

1. Optional Structures to
Support Planning &
Coordination
May 15, 2018

2. The Role of the Project Vision
• “project vision” is a significant contributing factor to project success, and, the
communication and maintenance of a project vision will impact project outcomes.
• Unspoken assumptions can generate confusion, whereas explicit artifacts such as a
vision statement provides the link between assumption and a means to provide both
tightly and loosely coupled systems.
Christenson, D. & Walker, D. H. T. (2004). Understanding the role of "vision" in project success. Project
Management Journal, 35(3), 39–52.

3. Contents
• The 8 Workstreams
• Scheduling Option #1: Linear
Model
• Optional Structures to Support
Planning & Coordination
• Scheduling Option #2: Incremental
Model
• Scheduling Option #3: Hybrid
Model
• Explaining how the Project
Impacts the Business Model
• Next Steps
• Creating the Project Schedule

4. The 8 Workstreams
Deliverables are listed within each section. These will be defined in more detail as the schedule is
developed and resources are assigned.
• How are these workstreams related?
• How is integration of these workstreams to be managed and structured?
• Can a planning structure be developed that also helps participants align their efforts? Simplify the
tracking and reporting process?

5. Scheduling Option #1: Linear Model
The model depicted on slide 4 establishes the overall relationship of its
parts but does not indicate priority or precedence.
Interdependence exists but is minimized in order to support each module
to plan and execute its responsibilities independently.
This ‘waterfall approach to scheduling’ (step 1, then 2, then 3) works
for many projects, but more often an agile and interdependent
approach is needed. An ‘action log’ makes this model more flexible but
does not resolve the lack of integration supported by a linear approach.
Milestone reviews are focused on the current module and not the
interdependence between modules.

6. Optional Structures to Support Planning &
Coordination
Option 1: Interdependence
Structure
Strategy
Business Development
Leadership Communication
Business
Opportunities
Business
Initiatives
Resource
Structure
Training &
Retention
LR Strategy Recruitment
Leadership &
EE Strategy
Option 2: Hierarchical
Interdependent Structure
Communication
Recruitment
LR Strategy
Leadership/ EE Retention
Training
Resource/ Structure
Business Initiatives
Business Opportunities
The first option depicts an incremental model. Planning
and initiation of tasks will emphasize the leadership of
one task over the other.
Option two depicts the relationship as tiered with the
lower domains setting the foundation. Interdependence
still exists.

7. Scheduling Option #2: Incremental Model
The incremental model is less linear (1, then 2, then 3 –
in isolation with minimal interdependence) and
recognizes that later tasks are absolutely dependent on
previous tasks.
This model supports milestone reviews that emphasize
the interdependence between modules. Delivery of the
previous module can be evaluated for quality before
deciding if the next module should be started.
Whereas a pure linear model supports several modules
being implemented at the same time, a pure incremental
model does not.

8. Scheduling Option #3: Hybrid Model
A hybrid model supports characteristics of the linear and the
incremental models.
• Incremental Task Launches
• Simultaneous Task Launches
• Quality Review Milestones & Phase Gates
This model also has unique challenges:
• More difficult to track
• Structure is more difficult for participants to understand
As a result, a ‘meta model’ is needed that helps participants to
conceptually follow the purpose, logic, and values of the structure.

9. Explaining how the Project Impacts the Business
Model
Business Model Structure
Using the business model canvas (below) is not necessarily
recommended for this project, but it helps explain how each
project module supports the Compass One business model.
The three previous models (and scheduling structures) include
all of the information contained here. So the question is,
what previous model supports project planning,
scheduling, and integration?

10. Creating the Project Schedule
Step 1:
Write
Down
Your
Tasks
Step 2:
Establish
the Order
of Tasks
Step 3:
Create
Some
Milestones
Step 4:
Calculate
the
Timescale
Step 5:
Allocate
People to
Tasks
Step 6:
Review
Regularly

11. Next Steps
Identify the Model
• What model best describes the relationship between the modules?
• Are the tasks independent or inter-dependent?
• Best describes how the work will be scheduled and carried out?
• Is necessary to support scheduling, monitoring, and tracking?
• What is the simplest solution?
• What constraints exist?
• Are the deadlines 'soft' or 'hard'?
Build the Schedule
• What schedule structure is best suited for the conceptual model
selected?
• What are the project requirements?
• Tasks?
• Resources?
• Roles?
• Timelines?
• Metrics?
• How is success measured?