Identify the project goal
People who want a project to go well need to figure out what the customer wants. The project goal is what the project wants the customer to do at the end of it. Having a goal is something like having a problem to solve or a chance to do something. Make sure you’ve got it right because it’s the heart of the project. A problem statement is the first thing you do. It clearly explains the problem or opportunity. It doesn’t have to be a long process. If you can fit it into one sentence, that’s great.
People often think of solutions before they think of problems. This can make it hard to come up with a problem statement. Solutions talk about the result, not the motivation that led to them. There is a project going on at the hospital. The COO might say that the hospital wants to put in a new scheduling system. That’s what you get at the end. One way to get back to the original problem or opportunity is to ask why.
Reasons, why we need to change the way we schedule things, Ask why again and again. You can use the answers to get to the bottom of the problem, or even find out more about the project’s goals. Suppose you ask the COO why she’s thinking about a new scheduling system. She says that “Some of the resources at the hospital seem to be “clogged up or sitting idle.” When you ask why that happens, she says that most procedures need specific equipment, staff who can do the procedure, and often, a specific room to fit the equipment. That isn’t taken into account by the current system and processes that are in place now.
The equipment might be set up, but the technician isn’t available at the moment. Or the room that has been set up can’t handle the equipment. In addition, the hospital has been given grants and donations to help improve things to deal with these problems. “Hospital resources aren’t being used efficiently because scheduling doesn’t make sure that the right equipment, staff, and facilities are available.” There is money to help with scheduling problems.”
With a problem statement in hand, you can figure out the project goal, which is what the project will achieve at the end of it. To get everyone on board, the goal should be simple and clear.
This way, you can use it to get everyone on board and lead the team to a good finish. For the hospital project, the project goal might be, “The project will improve scheduling so that hospital resources can be used more efficiently.” The project will take advantage of funds that are available to improve productivity and technology.” The best way to start a project is to know where you’re going. If you’re working on a project, try writing a problem statement and goal for it. You can use the template in the exercise files to help you.
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