The document provides an overview of how to stay ahead of the curve as a job seeker by following business projects from inception. It discusses (1) keeping track of changes in the regulatory environment and competitor strategies, (2) monitoring a company's project lifecycle from planning to rollout, and (3) understanding what types of roles are needed at each project stage. The key is to prepare for future opportunities by watching for early indicators like a company announcing new projects or regulatory changes.

1. Following the Money
Present as slide show for best results.

2. How to read these slides

3. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
How to read these slides
This top part describes the business environment. It highlights the changes in regulation and
the competitive nature of businesses (as represented by the term ‘growth strategies’). We will
use the term “growth strategies” to symbolise the competitors of Company A – more on this
later.
The business environment is dynamic in nature and is therefore a good indicator for where the
job market is heading.

4. Company A: Project Life Cycle
How to read these slides
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
This bottom half depicts a typical project life cycle through the eyes of Company A. In order to
keep things simple, we have assumed that there are no problems with the project.
There are several resources on the net that describe projects. The following has been taken
from Wiki: “A project is a temporary endeavour with a defined beginning and end1, undertaken
to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value”
1 We have also referred to projects as being transient in nature in our eFinancialCareers.com post.

5. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
The Business Environment Growth Strategies
Why do I need to follow the business environment?
Because it keeps changing and you would like to get an idea of what the new regulatory
standards are and where businesses are heading in general.

6. Company A: Project Life Cycle
Planning Stage
Phases
The Project Life Cycle
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
Why do I need to follow business projects?
Because you may be a project professional2 and you are interested in working for a specific
project that’s on (Company A’s project in this example). Similarly, you may have genuine
interest in the resulting capabilities that Company A will have once the project is completed. If
you want to join their business as a result, you should start following project developments.
2 This term is later explained in the ‘Who is Required When’ section.

7. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Company A: Project Life Cycle
Job Seeker distinctions
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
So are there distinctions between what kind of people are needed when?
Yes there is. Project professionals are required during the project life cycle and BAU staff3 are
required post Go-Live.
Can you give me a breakdown?
Sure. We'll do this a little bit later after we've established context.
3 ‘Business-As-Usual staff’ is later explained in the ‘Who is Required When’ section.

8. Complexity of a Project

9. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Company A: Project Life Cycle
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
Let’s now follow this through step-by-step.

10. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
In the beginning
A project is conceived at a point-in-time either as a result of:
- Regulatory changes or
- Growth strategies
The initiation stage described here is the stage where companies define the project. It is a cut
under the conditions of the business environment at that point-in-time.

11. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Keep your eye on the timeline
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
The funding stage is where our project gets approval and funding (once again, assuming a best
case scenario).
In real life..
Meanwhile, our timeline (the business environment) moves on.

12. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
And now that our project is funded, it goes through a formal kick-off phase where it is
presented to the wider business.
In real life..
Our timeline moves on even further..

13. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
And now the requirements gathering phase commences. This is the stage where the business
expresses exactly what they want.
In real life..
Are you getting the picture with our timeline yet?

14. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
All this time has past and still no new capabilities for
Company A. The business environment has already
moved on since inception.
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
And in our incredibly well-run project, we have designed and developed systems and business
processes according to plan.
In real life..
Yes, that is correct. By the time we have reached this point in the project phase, new regulatory
standards may have been drafted or approved. Furthermore, the company’s competitors may
have already deployed the same capabilities and/or have moved on to the next big thing.

15. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Testing is a breeze. There are hardly any defects in our well-developed system and
accompanying process.
In real life..
And as project professionals will tell you, our hypothetical project here is an absolute dream.

16. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Big bang implementation goes through without a hitch.
In real life..
There are too many factors that contribute to project delays. Some may even result in failures
altogether i.e. project is discontinued.

17. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
The project is rolled out to the business without any problems. Everyone knows exactly what to
do from day dot.
In real life..
This new system and accompanying process may already be stale due to the lapsed time.

18. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
What lapsed time?
Recall that our project was approved at this point-in-time under these conditions (the green
bar).

19. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
Complexity of a Project Lapsed time
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
Since then, time has moved on:
 New regulations may have been drafted, developed or approved;
 Standards may have changed;
 Competition may have had a head start on the next big thing.
And why is this important?

20. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
A New Project
Complexity of a Project
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
As we have stated in our eFinancialCareers.com post, change is permanent and constant.
Company A will always be playing catch-up with on-going changes in the business environment.
Ok, thanks. But where do I slot in as a job-seeker?

21. Who is required When?

22. Who is required When?
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Planning Stage
The business and the project manager are typically involved in the planning stages of a project.
In real life..
Each project is unique just like each business is unique. Because of this, we have had to make
some generalisations e.g. the business may be an individual or may a group of individuals. This
should therefore be used as a guide more than anything.

23. Who is required When?
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Development Stage
This varies depending on the project phase and the business itself. But here’s a rough guide:
 Kick-Off and Requirements: The business, project manager and business analyst;
 Design and Development: All of the above + a developer;
 Testing: All of the above + a tester;
 Implementation: The business, project manager, business analyst, developer and change
manager.

24. Who is required When?
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
Roll-out stage
During roll-out, the business, project manager and change manager are typically involved
delivering the project to BAU i.e. business-as-usual staff. Post roll-out, the project is closed and
benefits are tracked. Only BAU staff are required by Company A past this point.
We have previously used the term “project professionals” in one of our preceding slides.
This term is used to identify the resources required to run a project as described above.

25. All about the Indicators
Roll Out Stage
Phases

26. Assuming you identify the project at this stage then time is in your side
Company A: Project Life Cycle
All about the Indicators
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Planning Stage: A Leading Indicator
If Company A has announced that it will be undertaking a project in order to equip the business
with capabilities XYZ, then you can pretty much say that you have the scope (i.e. time is in your
side) to apply for a role in the project. Needless to say, this suits project professionals.
Where can I find this information?
Company announcements under a company’s website (Annual Report, Analyst Presentations
etc.), media (online and print), the market (ASX for Australia) or industry professionals.

27. Assuming the project runs on time, you have this much to go
Company A: Project Life Cycle
All about the Indicators
Development Stage
Phases
Kick-Off
Requirements
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Development Stage: A Current Indicator
At this stage, you should know that the Company A has a project in-flight. You pretty much
know that they need people to slot in each project phase. The problem is this:
How do you identify the project stage and where do you find the information?
As per last slide, company websites, the media, the market and industry professionals may
have this information. Otherwise, try Company A’s HR area, recruitment agents, your peers
who work for Company A and even social networking sites such as LinkedIn.

28. Go Live and Roll-Out! Assuming you wanted to work for Company A as
part of their business, then you should have prepared yourself at the
planning stage.
All about the Indicators
Planning Stage
Phases
Initiation
Funding
Roll Out Stage
Phases
Transition to BAU
Roll-out stage: An indicator of completeness
And so you really believe in capability XYZ and you want to join Company A as a result. It should
now be a simple process of matching what the job requirements are to your specific skillset
and experience. Needless to say, you should be paying attention to the business environment,
or at least the planning stage, and getting yourself ready at that stage to increase your chances.
Where can I find this information?
In all the same places we have already identified + any investor presentations by the company.

29. Business Environment
Changes due to:
Regulation
Growth Strategies
The most important indicator of the lot
All about the Indicators
Don’t forget to watch for the changes in the business environment
Once again - change is permanent and constant. We have referred to this as ‘watching the
trend’ in our eFinancialCareers.com post.
Where can I find this information?
Watch the regulatory and industry bodies at a domestic and international level. Set up some
alerts where possible. Additionally, watch the competition. If Company B is undertaking a
project that will provide them with significant advantages, then Company A may follow suit.

30. Following the Money is all about
staying Ahead of the Curve

31. Following the Money
A presentation by Perry Carbonell
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