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Moving from Proposal to Project. and why that’s so hard. Stephen Granade , PMP. stephen@granades.com. 256.714.5062. Proposals Feed Into Projects. Source: PMBOK ® Guide, Fifth Edition. Proposals Feed Into Projects. Source: PMBOK ® Guide, Fifth Edition.
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Moving from Proposal to Project and why that’s so hard Stephen Granade, PMP stephen@granades.com 256.714.5062
Proposals Feed Into Projects Source: PMBOK® Guide, Fifth Edition
Proposals Feed Into Projects Source: PMBOK® Guide, Fifth Edition
Can Proposals Define the Triple Constraint? BUDGET SCOPE SCHEDULE
Problem 1: Time Image courtesy ToniVC
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell • Comply with the RFP
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell • Comply with the RFP • Sell
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell • Comply with the RFP • Sell • Be in line with corporate objectives
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell • Comply with the RFP • Sell • Be in line with corporate objectives • Sell
Problem 2: Proposals Aren’t Project Plans Top Objectives of a Proposal • Sell • Meet the customer’s needs • Sell • Comply with the RFP • Sell • Be in line with corporate objectives • Sell ?. Prepare for the project
Problem 3: PMs Aren’t Biz Dev People PROJECT MANAGER What my co-workers think I do What my mom thinks I do What society thinks I do What my boss thinks I do What I think I do What I really do Images courtesy thehutch, Graham King, NBC, Victor1558
Problem 4: Knowledge Evaporates Image courtesy Nathanael Boehm
Problem 5: Things Change Image courtesy Knowsphotos
Five Problems Make the Transition Harder • Time • Proposals aren’t project plans • Project managers aren’t business development people • Knowledge evaporates • Things change
Solution 1: Fight Time Crunch • Do not multitask • “Cognitive Control in Media Multitaskers”, Ophir, Nass, Wagner • “Your Brain at Work”, by David Rock • Work in sprints • Fight procrastination • Prioritize tasks • Do the worst tasks first • Prioritize people • Manage the critical path Clifford Nass Joseph Ferrari
Solution 2: Make Proposal ProcessMatch Project Planning Process Image courtesy Greg Robbins
Solution 2: Use WBS and Activity Estimates • Proposal WBS should tie into project WBS • WBS as spine of a proposal just like it’s the spine of a project • Bases of estimates should map to activity estimates • Why will things cost what they will cost? • How long will they take?
Solution 3: Get PMs Involved in Proposals Image courtesy @Doug88888
Solution 4: Capture Knowledge Spreadsheet courtesy Advanced Optical Systems, Inc.
Solution 5: Be Flexible Image courtesy Tambako the Jaguar
Five Solutions to Make the Transition Easier • Fight the crunch (Time) • Make proposal process match project planning process (Proposals aren’t project plans) • Get PMs involved in proposals (Project managers aren’t business development people) • Capture knowledge (Knowledge evaporates) • Be flexible (Things change)
Augustine’s Law XXI It costs a lot to build bad products.
Why Aren’t You Involved? • Not enough skills • Training! (Things like BID-Connex) • Not enough support • Find an ally! • Not enough interest • …I can understand that
Moving from Proposal to Project and why that’s so hard Stephen Granade, PMP stephen@granades.com 256.714.5062