top of page

Programme & Project Management

Project Management Manual

Programme and Project Management is responsible for ensuring that the correct deliverable is delivered, on time and within budget, and that the resources are optimally utilised during the execution of the project / programme.

Introduction to Management

Management can be defined as the process that achieves specific objectives (gets things done) through the application of particular resources, typically human resources. These objectives are those that are in line with the organisation goals. In terms of Business Engineering it implies the project of engineering the business and the continuous business has to be aligned continuously. This needs to be done in order to ensure that the business is being managed in the Strategic Direction into which the project is taking it.

 

In addition, the resources available are finite and/or linked. This imposes constraints on managers. It is through the effective and efficient deployment of these resources, that a manager is able to deliver the required business benefits successfully. At the same time the Project Manager must ensure a natural resource spread across the project Life Cycle.


The responsibility of management is to focus on the following classical tasks:

  • What should be done (planning)

  • Who should do what (organising)

  • Giving instruction (directing)

  • Ensuring the instructions are carried out (controlling)

Introduction to Managment

Objectives of the DISCON Specialists Project Management System

Objectives of

Unlike most Methodologies, DISCON Specialists endeavours to address all three aspects of the business changing phase, with equal bias. The aspect of Project Management is generally neglected by Methodologies often with undesirable results. Project Management is undoubtedly an integral component of Business Engineering Methodologies and in fact is a means of ensuring success in terms of the project.

​

DISCON Specialists in its approach to Business Engineering Project Management has deviated from classical or traditional Project Management in tailoring the Project Management aspects specifically to be based on Business Architecture. The result is a scientific, practical and flexible approach to Project Management, which successfully addresses many of the deficiencies of more classical approaches.

​

It must also be emphasised that the Project Management discipline is multi-faceted and although this course will provide the Project Manager or Project Leader with invaluable information in order to equip him to adequately perform his function, much practical knowledge and additional skill is required in order to qualify the individual for the title of Business Engineering Project Manager.

Differentiating Factors of this Project Management

Differentiating Factors

  • Alternate/Configured Life Cycles, i.e. different life cycles for different projects.

  • Alternative phasing schemes.

  • Techniques to effectively decompose the scope of business.

  • Hierarchical planning - start for Master Business Planning

  • (Decomposition and iterative planning - Plans consisting of sub-plans).

  • Time box and time window approaches to projects.

  • Plan contents and mandatory/supplementary plans.

  • Driven from an Architectural bias Architecture puts you in control of your change mechanism or process. It enables one to scope, understand the context, co-ordinate and integrate sub-projects better. Project Management in this manner is facilitated through a scientifically proven technique set used to construct business out of the natural combination of building blocks that are related to one another in terms of their natural cohesion.

  • Estimating algorithms.

  • Organising projects - different roles and responsibilities through Joint Project Management.

  • Integrated with Business Engineering and Organisation Behaviour technique sets.

  • Minimised inter-project co-ordination.

  • Ensures a Business Engineering project to be managed in the business’ Strategic Direction.

DISCON Specialists Management System

Discon Specialists Management System

Introduction

​

DISCON Specialists provides the Project Management System for the following reasons:

  • Due to the complexity, scope and duration of Business Engineering projects.

  • It provides a framework for producing and managing projects in a formal way.

  • We want a process that is repeatable, in order to be able to predict. We can only predict if we have a predictable (standard) process. The process must be predictable in terms of cost estimates, schedules, and functional and quality products.

​

The DISCON Specialists Project Management System contains four systems to provide a total and complete project management environment. The systems introduce an element of flexibility wherever possible, in order to enable DISCON Specialists users at all installations to apply the methodology effectively. At the same time it integrates the three disciplines, Project Management, Organisation Behaviour and Architecture, which are required to deliver projects successfully.

​

Project Management System

​

  1. The Project Definition Workshop (PDW)

    • The project definition workshop is used to take a subjective or overview look at the scope of the proposed project in terms of business area, participants, parameters and mandate.​

  2. The Project Planning System (PPS)

    • The project planning system is primarily concerned with the phasing and planning, estimating and planning the proposed project.​

  3. The Project Organisation System (POS)​

    • The project organisation system concentrates on an optimal project organisation structure, which will provide a foundation for the implementation of projects.​

  4. The Project Directing System​

    • The Project Directing System (PDS)​

  5. The Project Control System​

    • The project control system introduces instruments, techniques and mechanisms, which are used to effectively monitor and control the project.​

​

DISCON Specialists Meta Model For The Project Management System

Meta Model

  1. Define Project

  2. Strategise the Business Engineering Project

  3. Initiate Sub plans to enable the Solution that will be delivered

  4. Synchronise deliverable's across Three Architectural Levels

  5. Extend Project Plan with Exceptions and Detail

  6. Eliminate and Contain Risk

  7. Estimate Project Resources

  8. Obtain Approval

PLAN
Business Engineering Project

  1. Determine Resource Requirement

  2. Acquire Resources

ORGANISE
Business Engineering Project

  1. Ensure a Conductive Project Environment

  2. Delegate Tasks

  3. Ensure Team Members Understanding of the Required Tasks

  4. Conduct Sessions/Project Meetings/Presentations /Workshop Reviews

DIRECT
Business Engineering Project

  1. Determine Work Progress

  2. Identify Exceptions and their Impact

  3. Ensure Efficient Resource Utilisation

  4. Ensure Strategic Alignment of Project with Business

  5. Report Project Status

  6. Manage Change

  7. Control Quality

  8. Ensure Adherence to Standards

  9. Control Project Risk

CONTROL
Business Engineering Project
bottom of page