Templates

Introducing the Constraints Log: A crucial tool for project management, this artifact captures and monitors limitations, ensuring clear communication and effective planning.

Introduction to Benefits Realization One of the most common misunderstandings in the world of project management is the belief that the “Project” and the “Value” are the same thing. They are not. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. That result is the output. However, the value…

Introduction to Success Criteria In the lifecycle of a project, there is often a dangerous disconnect between “finishing the work” and “achieving success.” It is entirely possible for a project team to complete every task on the schedule, spend exactly the allocated budget, and deliver the product exactly as specified, yet still face a dissatisfied…

Introduction to Project Objectives Defining what success looks like is perhaps the most difficult challenge in project management. Many projects deliver their scope on time and on budget, yet they are still considered failures by the business. Why does this happen? It happens because the project delivered the output (the thing) but failed to achieve…

Introduction to High-Level Requirements The High-Level Requirements Summary is the logical successor to the Project Scope Statement. While the Scope Statement defines the “fence” around the project (what is in versus what is out), the Requirements Summary defines what happens inside that fence. It articulates the specific capabilities, features, and characteristics the final deliverable must…

Introduction to the Project Scope Statement The High Level Project Scope Statement is the document that defines the boundaries of your project. If the Project Charter is the document that gives you the authority to exist, the Scope Statement is the document that defines what you will actually do with that authority. It is the…

Introduction to the Assumptions Log We have arrived at the final template in our comprehensive project management suite. We began with the Business Case (Why are we doing this?) and moved through Charters, Scopes, Risks, and Benefits. Now, we must address the invisible foundation upon which all those other documents rest: The Assumptions. In project…

Introduction to Risk Appetite In the world of project management, we often focus intensely on identifying risks (Template 16) and managing risks (Template 17). However, we rarely pause to ask the fundamental question: How much risk are we willing to take? This omission is a significant source of conflict. Imagine a Project Manager who believes…

Introduction to Risk Categorization When a project manager sits down with their team to identify risks, the result is often a chaotic laundry list of worries. The team might shout out “The server might crash” followed immediately by “The vendor might go bankrupt” and “The coffee machine might break.” While all these are valid concerns,…

Introduction to the Risk Register The transition from the “Initial Risk Identification Log” (Template 16) to the High-Level Risk Register marks a significant maturity step in the project management lifecycle. While the Identification Log is a brainstorming tool used to capture every possible worry, the Risk Register is a governance tool used to manage, track,…