Defining Targets in the Software Project – Success Through Planning
June 17, 2021 | Reading time: Approx. 4 minutes
Experts from the FIS Group
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Media often report about failed software projects. This is the worst case for project managers and the company itself as such projects were implemented to achieve specific aims. This article describes how this scenario can be avoided and the project completed successfully with careful planning.
To make a project successful, it is important to have a goal in mind. Prior to project start, probably all responsible persons involved are subconsciously aware of the advantages of a new software solution and the tasks that are to be simplified.
However, this is too vague. In the project, there should be a common and precise objective which is understood in the same way by all participants.
Only in this way can misunderstandings be avoided in the course of the project. The motivation of all participants will increase if they have the same vision.
From rough-cut planning to detailed planning
The objective can be defined, for instance, in a workshop. Here, the expectations and objections of all participants collected during kickoff should be considered. At the beginning of the workshop, the team describes a very comprehensive objective containing all important aspects.
In the course of the workshop, this objective is described in more and more details so that it becomes precise and measurable. Moreover, each objective definition should include the three most important dimensions: time, costs and quality. Once the three dimensions have been described, the persons responsible should check whether their objective is “SMART”. SMART means that the objective is specific, measurable, accepted, realistic and terminable.
If the project team works according to the SMART formula, other important questions arise in addition to the three dimensions:
Success or failure: precise definition
It is also helpful to define non-objectives and exceptions. What is no objective of the project? Are there any divisions where the appropriate conditions must be created first in order to implement the objective?
Software implementation projects may have long durations. It is important to know how many systems are to be integrated and how many adjacent departments are involved. If it is therefore necessary to define several partial objectives, it will be useful to prioritize them.
The objectives can be divided into required/desired and optional objectives.
Confirm project objective via signature
To ensure that all participants identify themselves with the project objective, project managers can define the objective in writing. In fact, this can be done via signature, which underlines the common intention of the project participants and increases motivation and the feeling of togetherness.
Upshot: The objective definition is decisive for success
The first step is not yet about calculating efficiency or remodeling processes. The conditions of the software project should instead be clearly defined. Here, the objective definition plays a central part.
All project participants are to have the same understanding of the project objective and pursue it. Only if it is known in detail what they are working on and for what purpose can further milestones be defined. Sometimes, simple utilities such as the application of the SMART formula or the consideration of the three dimensions will be enough to make a plan successful.
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