Any project manager types about??

Don't get too excited about this reply! Not a project manager but H is /consultant/programme manager/matrix manager so have seen quite a few reports he's read. He's not here otherwise I'd grab him.

Having said that, he would say the most important thing to start with is an Org chart, so you can see who reports to who, who's senior, who's external (contractors) etc.

I don't if that is totally sh1t and obvious so apologies if so.

Good luck!

Thanks Mrs BB,

We don't have an org chart as yet.. there are still some top level structural issues being ironed out waaah his is too comlicated for my tired meger brain...its crazy im sure there is some reasonable simple template i can generate but i just can't get my head around this... it gets better tho... my boss is expecting some drafts ideas by tomorrow.....

thanks for replying

xx

So are they asking you to map the work processes and packages or the organisation and resources? They're two very different things.

If the former I'd start by doing a work breakdown structure for each area to define the scope of the work. You should be able to find some templates for this online, as it's quite a common practice in project management.

Hi Imelda,

Thansk for replying.

They are asking me to sort out some kind of process to make sure overlapping work is reporting into the relevent workstream so that updates can be given during specific workstream meetings.. does that make sense?

Basically there are 5 different workstreams reporting into one project board. The work being done by each seperate stream can occationally overlap so there may be some confusion as to which stream is responsible and there for we need to make sure firstly one stream is taking responsibility for the work and secondly that the people with the knowledge are involved in any desision making process even if they are a member of a different stream. The project board will not be making the decision as to who is responsible fpr what it really is up to the stream leads ( who dont really meet! everything is done vie electronic communication etc which mean we really need to have a good process in place to ensure communication over who is doing what and that updates are given to the relevent streams is as good as we can get it......

So you need to map out the work breakdown structure to see the different streams and identify who is responsible for each work package and identify where there are overlaps to ensure that a proper reporting/information structure is put into place to create good comms.

I'm obviously not seeing what the issue is here?

Hi FG

If you haven't done so already you may find it useful to refer to Prince 2 (appendix A if you have hard copy)

This breaks down content for different types of project management reports and I suspect that your approach may benefit from both a PID(if you don't already have one) and work breakdown structure to define the workstreams as suggested by Imelda. essentially the PID will define the reason for the reporting structure you say you need.The PID takes into account organisational structure and lines of reporting, and why these are ncesessary. It may aslo set out what the responsibilities of each workstream is / are for upward reporting (checkpoint or highlight reports). Have a look here at the outline of a detailed PID. If you are not in a full on P2 environment then you can pick and choose what elements suit your need

http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documentation_and_templates_project_initiation_document_pid.asp

The OGC website could be helpful with other PM products and reports you may need along the way

Have a look at this for more info on wbs http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/work-breakdown-structure-purpose-process-pitfalls.html

In terms of ownership you can assig responsibility to each box or item etc http://www.hyperthot.com/pm_wbs.htm Do you use network diagrams or gantt charts? could these be used as part of your project plannng to identify interdependencies visually and aid with duplication issues?

Hope this is helpful and that you get sorted

Thanks both for replying... in the light of day it does not seem so bad, I was panicking a bit last nihgt. I think the problem is I am very new to project support so I was thinking what I needed to produce needed to be more complicated that i though if that makes sense..anyhoo thansk again those links look great em-ster