Project Charter and Plan Outline

Project Title and Description:

Wireless Communication System: For many of our managers in the field, getting information quickly has been difficult because of their distance from information resources and configuration of the information system. It has been determined through a business study that deploying a wireless communications system can help by providing them with remote access through text to many of the resources they require, eliminating downtime to acquire the needed information. It will also help control costs of labor, who often must put aside their own work to find and send the information to the manager in the field.

Project Manager and Authority Level

IT Director XX. (S)he has the authority to assign labor and budgets to the project, make changes, and schedule project needs.

Business Case for Project (problem)
When people do not have access to the right information in a timely manner, the company suffers with the possibility of mistakes and changes that need to be made. This in turn causes costs in time, scheduling of projects, and risks that are unnecessary. This project will give managers in the field another tool to help them have the right information at the right time.

Resources (how many and what kind)
Three IT group members, Chante, Renee, and Gillyard are assigned to the project because of their expertise in mobile communications.

The other aspects of the project will be determined during the planning of the project.

Stakeholders

The stakeholders include managers in the field, especially Jim and Miranda who often are limited with wireless access due to the locations they work. Operations manager and information specialists.

What stakeholders need from project

The stakeholders need a more competent and lowered risk way to get information to managers quickly. Current time to gather and send information can be as limited as an hour or as long as three days.

Project Description

A schedule is required to breakdown the plan and its needs including equipment and communications set up. Also, in the plan will need input from IT on how to accomplish the information through text and how this will integrate with systems already in place.

Cost outline for the project. These costs can change as various information changes on the product. The IT, Operations, and management groups must approve costs at each level.

List of all managers and systems affected by the new system.

Project Deliverables
- Project outline
- Project costs
- Project labor needs
- Project integration with system analysis and issues
- Evaluation of new integrated mobile system

Measurable Project Objectives

The objective of the project is to provide a way for managers to work more efficiently in the field with the most accurate information possible, eliminating wasted time in the schedule and limiting the costs that occur with scheduling and project changes.

Risks

The potential risks include working with the IT systems already in place when integration. This could temporarily impact other business functions and departments.

Implementation could be frustrating for some project managers.

Information specialists may not be aware of the status of the program and delegate lower on their schedules some project information requests.

Project Approval Process

Project must be approved by the project manager and the sponsor prior to each step is continued.

The sponsor will note the risks and approve the list of risks before planning or any step continues.

Final project approval will require the approval of the Director of IT, the Operations manager, and the management leadership as noted.

Signatures
http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=1400865
Plan elements described

Every project plan should include:

Project Scope

This part is to tell management and others what the project is and what will deliver. The plan objectives and deliverables are noted within the scope along with the requirements of the project overall. Any assumptions or constraints are necessary to note in the scope as are the stakeholders and how they will benefit from the project and what the project needs from stakeholders. The stakeholders obviously need to be identified.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources

The who, what, where, and costs are noted in this section of the plan. Making sure the plan includes as much detail as possible about the resources that will be needed, including materials, equipment, and labor.

Realistic Schedules

A schedule with constraints and the critical path shown is a must. The schedule should consider the resources needed and when they will be available.

Communication Plan

This plan ensures that everyone that needs to know will know and what and when they will know it. Communication eliminates frustration and keeps people informed so they can plan around the project when necessary.

Risk Management Plan

Projects have risks and every risk should be considered, analyzed and a solution suggested. Considering the risks means knowing the project and its needs and value and what can happen, what alternatives are available, and how to apply them.

Project Tracking and Evaluation

There must be tracking to make sure the project is staying on time and within budget. Every project must also have measurable objectives and the evaluation process makes sure that those objectives are being met and to refocus on solutions when they are not.

Reference: http://www.desaragroup.com/docs/PMV14.pdf