Problem Assessment and Evaluation, Essay Example

Overall, the life cycle of many projects can be broken into sequential phases that are generally differentiated by the technical work being carried out, the key actors involved, the deliverables to be generated, and the ways these are controlled and approved (Project Management Institute [PMI], 2004).  These phases usually are identified as: initiation (feasibility), planning and design, production, turnover and startup (Khang & Moe, 2008). From this base, there are a number of problems that can arise during the first phase of project initiation. For example, common problems include the failure to properly define the business benefits and costs associated with the project; assuming that the solution identified is feasible without conducting proper feasibility testing or misinterpreting the results of feasibility testing; defining the generic objectives, scope and deliverables of a project, without any sound basis for measuring performance  (Westland, 2007).

Because the initiation phase is the key phase in establishing the scope and solutions of the project, a misstep in the early stages can be fatal to the project’s success.  This is particularly true if one misestimates the benefits or costs associated with the project; this could not only refer to the actual costs paid out by the firm but also what the project ultimately accomplishes for the firm.  Feasible testing is a key step in the initiation phase, and effectively serves as a “mirror” in order to properly reflect upon whether the project (as currently conceptualized) will achieve its putative goals.  Often times, false assumptions in the feasibility study, coupled with a misinterpretation of results, can lead a project forward when there should be a revision based on the results.  Finally, based on the feasibility analysis and previous analysis, the final definition of objectives, scope and deliverables of a project are given- it is critical to include measures (both quantitative and qualitative) for which to measure these objectives against (Kerzner, 2006).

Citations

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2004). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® guide) (3rd ed.). Newtown Square, PA, PMI.

Kerzner, H. (2006). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling.   Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley Press.

Khang, D. B., & Moe, T. L.  (2008). Success criteria and factors for international development projects: A life-cycle-based framework.  Project Management Journal,   39  (1),  72-84.

Westland, J. (2007). The project management life cycle: A complete step-by-step methodology for initiating, planning, executing & closing a project successfully. London, UK, Kogan Press.