Project management- There Are a Number of Options for Defining When a Project Actually Starts

1. There Are a Number of Options for Defining When a Project Actually Starts Ahmad Hammoud PMO Admin and Project manager

2. One of the characteristics of a project is that there is a definite start and end date. This seems simple enough until you start to define exactly what these dates mean. There is no universally recommended standard for either date. In many respects, it depends on what the implication of the decision is. You must consider some of the possible options for the start and end date and see what you think makes most sense. The following options can be considered when determining the project tart date. 1. When the Idea is Generated: Some companies seriously consider this option. The definition you choose can depend on what the implication is and some companies try to focus on the time between when an idea is generated and when the idea is fulfilled though a project. Their concern is that there is too much time to implement good ideas. Tracking a project from the time the original idea was surfaced provides visibility on this total length of time. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to track exactly when an idea surfaced and there are many variables that might cause projects to be delayed while still in the idea stage.

3. 2. When a Budget is Approved This definition is a little more concrete than the prior idea. In this definition, an idea has been generated and has made it far enough along that a cost/benefit statement has been prepared. The project has also made it through the prioritization process and an actual budget has been approved. Keep in mind that the budget may have been approved during the prior year’s business planning process. The actual work may not start until the following year. Therefore, this definition again seems to start the clock too early. 3. When a Project Manager is Assigned This one is more common. It’s hard to say that a project has started before a project manager is assigned. When the project manager is assigned, the project planning and definition begins and the meat of the project starts. 4. When the Project Charter is Approved In some organizations, the project officially starts when the customer approves the Project Charter document. Some companies require an approved Project Charter and schedule before the project team can be allocated. They do this to ensure that the upfront agreement is in place before project work begins.

4. 6. When the Project Kickoff Meeting is Held Using this definition, the planning and definition work is considered to be “pre-project” work. All projects start with a formal kickoff meeting between the client and project team. When the kickoff meeting is held, the planning has been completed, the client has approved starting the work, and the project team has been allocated. The kickoff meeting is the time to tell everyone that the project is ready to begin. 7. Why is the Start Date Important? To a certain extent, you might think that it doesn’t really matter when the project starts. Having a somewhat undefined start date does not take away from the fact that the work is a project. It’s obvious that the project started at some point, since there was a point when the work was not in progress and a point where the work is in progress. So, at some point the project did in fact “start”.

6. Summary All projects have a start date. But knowing exactly when a project starts is something that companies can define differently. There are a number of events that would be candidates for the start date. If your company does not capture metrics and does not provide incentives based on completing a project on time and within budget, then it doesn’t really matter. However, if there are consequences based on the defined start date, then a company must be careful to make sure that the defined start date drives the proper behavior they are trying to achieve.