“Project management can be defined as a way of developing structure in a complex project, where the independent variables of time, cost, resources and human behavior come together.” – Rory Burke
The fundamentals of project management and execution retain a core position in the worlds of modern commerce, enterprise, construction, scientific discovery, syndicated research, financial markets operations, among others. Project management assumes key importance because such management processes “ensure what is being delivered, is right, and will deliver real value against the business opportunity.” In line with this, topnotch project management implies delivering on time, budget, and scope of a project. Additionally, such management “unites clients and teams, creates a vision for success, and gets everyone on the same page of what’s needed to stay on track for success.” Streamlining project planning remains critical to the success of any ongoing project. The many architects, engineers, designers, and managers that undertake project planning could deploy the flowchart diagram as a tool to attain such objectives. Such a choice empowers personnel to calibrate the various levels of planning and action that animate modern project management.
Specific sections of a flowchart diagram could assist the mission of streamlining project planning and management. For instance, designers could create a wide silo on the left side of the diagram and position critical inputs in the silo. The statement of project creation, a vision to drive the project, various forms of project documentation, the assignment of tasks to different personnel, timelines, the creation of meeting agendas and meeting minutes, etc. represent some of these inputs. This element of systematic planning enables the flowchart to assist the objective of streamlining project planning for the benefit of every stakeholder. Additionally, different forms of linearity could emerge from the silo to connect with various project objectives etched inside the illustration. Interesting insights may emerge when reviewers observe the interactions between the different elements depicted on the flowchart. These insights could enrich the quality of delivery and execution for any ongoing project.
Parallel lines remain a prominent subject of study and research in academic circles. Such lines, when positioned inside a flowchart, can help describe important initiatives for streamlining project planning initiatives. For instance, designers could etch three vertical stacks of stages inside an illustration, each of which represents a line parallel to the others. The headline content for each line could denote project kick-off, project execution, and project termination. The sub-stages that emerge from each parent stage indicate the moving parts that assist in the mission to streamlining project planning. In addition, designers could append timelines to each stage and sub-stage, thereby broadcasting clear information to all stakeholders. The timelines also enable the impulse to streamline by reducing scope for confusion or ambiguity. Essentially, the use of parallel lines empowers designers to compress significant amounts of information and position these inside the flowchart. Such compression helps spur the original idea of streamlining project planning exercises.
Managing the costs of an ongoing project is critical to efforts focused on streamlining project planning activities. In line with this, designers and project personnel could construct an illustration that features groups of stages positioned inside the master flowchart diagram. These groups could indicate the various mechanisms designed to manage and control project costs and their impact on different parameters of the master project. We note such a stance allows designers to impart visual symmetry to the illustration and reduce any confusion in the minds of readers. When grouped around primary stages, the cost control sub-stages (delicately and efficiently) transmit the necessity of streamlining project planning in multiple contexts. Further, said sub-stages relay important assistance to audit personnel that might subsequently review different heads of expense involved in a given project. Essentially, the flowchart allows project managers to remain on the proverbial same page while retaining coherence in the processes that drive project completion.
The act of streamlining project planning must hinge on the operation of modern quality control mechanisms. Bearing this in mind, the designers and operators of a project could devise inter-connected illustrations that variously sketch mechanisms to assess the quality of project output, the time and resources required to deliver quality output, high quality buy-in from executive management, an ongoing assessment of return on investment in a project, etc. We note these mechanisms, when captured through staggered and phased processes inside the flowchart, generate positive momentum toward the ultimate objective of streamlining project planning activities. Further, designers may elect to position appropriate quality benchmarks inside the illustration with the aim of driving various aspects of project performance. We note such flowcharts spotlight the utility of applying quality control mechanisms to the operational aspects of an ongoing project.
Modern information technology demands coordinated and systematic effort to achieve the objective of streamlining project planning. Specifically, projects designed for IT infrastructure management require a smooth roadmap that can be designed inside a flowchart diagram. Designers can create various stages to include software and hardware specifications, network topologies, data center and data storage infrastructure, virtual and remote assets, wireless and wired access protocols, and others. The emerging diagram could manifest in different configurations and allow readers to gain a sense of progress registered in design of planning such a project. Given enough time, revisions and re-design initiatives can help improve the technical stature of such planning, thereby demonstrating an instance of optimal use of available resources. Further, the connections established within the illustration create an image of functionality and connectivity; while additional inputs in terms of streamlining project planning help designers refine the contours of the project prior to implementation on appropriate platforms.
Significant levels of focused effort and professional competence represent primary requirements in initiatives wherein designers embark on the journey of streamlining project planning. The designers must create a high-level view of the major inputs in the form of a project charter, project schedule, resources, budgets and estimated costs, manpower requirements, quality requirements, project risks, communication protocols, scope for external consultants, etc. The end-product of such efforts allows stakeholders to affix definite timelines to each phase, and expand the scope of the illustration by adding sub-stages as appropriate. The results include higher levels of visual density that can aid the objective of streamlining project planning and effect certain outcomes. Absent such planning, a project is liable to face early reversals and setbacks that may prove expensive in terms of the sponsor’s resources.
These ideas, models, and suggestions promote the concept of deploying flowcharts to help businesses develop organized momentum in the domain of project planning. The flowchart remains the central tool that drives successful execution and ensures eventual success in multi-million dollar projects. Such planning must essentially hinge on coordinating resources such as labor, finance, professional expertise, and time. Interestingly, each planning flowchart could play a crucial role in mentoring future project planners and allowing them headspace to avoid the common pitfalls associated with such activity.
In addition, each flowchart must make space for project managers to implement risk mitigation measures from multiple perspectives. This assertion stems from the fact unforeseen risks can ruin extensive planning and jeopardize timelines committed to the client. Therefore, multiple risk mitigation devices and measures must be incorporated into every significant stage of planning a project. Further, designers may invest effort in etching parallel diagrams that register actual progress against an envisaged blueprint. The outcomes may include landmark instances of perfect planning that preface intelligent project execution resulting in client delight.
