We’ve already covered some of the questions you should be ready to ask before starting a project, but you’re likely to receive some queries yourself. Below is a list of answers you should have handy as you set out on your next project.
How much staff you have available. You may need to adjust your resource commitment later (especially if it’s a high-priority project), but you should strive to begin every project with an understanding of the level of staffing you know you can dedicate to it. This approach will help you set expectations and develop a more accurate request/requirement list.
Who should be involved in planning sessions. Don’t wait for others to tell you who they want providing input—you need to draft a list of stakeholders that can begin offering insight and direction right away. Add and delete from this list as necessary, but don’t let anticipated changes down the road prevent you from establishing a stable of preliminary stakeholders now.
What issues are already on the radar. This is where your experience will really shine. You should have a shortlist of issues in your head when you hold your very first project meeting. Some of these concerns will likely be scratched early in the game while others will no doubt be added, but you should definitely not be starting with an empty slate. Remember that early preparedness will help you execute a more trouble-free project.
Where cost saving opportunities are lurking. Again, experience will be useful in guiding you toward value engineering efforts that are both effective and practical. By keeping in mind all the places your team might be able to trim costs, you can facilitate conversations about the opportunities earlier in the process and be ready to take advantage of them when the time comes.
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