EPISOD 3 - A NEW WAY COOPERATION

CONSTELLATION BY PRIMAFRANCE

A constellation “Is group of celestial bodies (usually stars) that appear to form a pattern in the sky or appear visibly related to each other” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation)

Project objectives define the high-level scope of the undertaking. One or more deliverables are created to achieve the defined objectives. These deliverables, which are then forming the WBS structure, will also define the elements – or stars – of the project. At this moment, however these deliverables will not include a list of organizations which will and/or will not be impacted by the project and by the result of the project. This additional information will further define the project boundaries.

Scope elements are distributed among the different organizations, and this distribution is based on their capabilities in mobilizing the right resources, and their ability to achieve the deliverable as cost effectively as possible. This allotment results that activities are carried out at different geographical locations across the globe and within the corporation. Hence the deliverables which are executed at different locations become the stars of the constellation.

When the project schedule is developed, the activities and their relations will also link the “stars” together, providing a kind of graphical representation of the constellation.

Clearly identifying the different constellations on the sky is a difficult task, needs trained eyes and experiences, just like understanding, analyzing and effectively managing a schedule made for a complex project.

EPISOD 2 - INTRODUCTION

CONSTELLATION BY PRIMAFRANCE

Implementing homogenous scheduling processes across multiple countries, cultures and business environments, is an element which is usually considered as not a priority one project. However, as it is closely related to all other aspects of the operation, it should be taken into account early during the integration.

Analyzing the difficulties faced during integrating existing processes, policies and tools, building one single business convention out of several cultures and business environment, is extremely time consuming and expensive.
This project will yield results long after it is started, and creates frustration among the various stakeholders, which then puts the successful implementation in jeopardy.

Consolidating complex project schedules at higher level, using traditionally available tools and methods requires carefully crafted processes and policies, together with strict control and follow-up. To achieve this, the organization shall put in place the necessary organization and develop the policies. Due to the time it takes to establish the organization and the related processes, operator errors are inevitable.

The Constellation Method is an approach and a related software tool, based on the principle of delegation (or subcontracting) and on a decentralized management model. It allows scheduling systems and project schedules to be connected, and letting each project participants using their well known and established processes and tools with minor modifications.

The goals of the “Constellation Method” are:

· To automate basic processes in order to reduce human error and save time.
· Provide more time to information analysis due to automated processes and data validation to increase decision efficiency.
· To provide data on timely basis with basic control.
· To create a common platform for reporting and to reduce disagreement between parties.
· To reduce the amount of necessary manpower to manage complex schedules.
· To minimize operational disruption while units are being integrated (processes are developed).
· Data validation by the planner/project manager before acceptation reducing dispute between units.

EPISOD 1 - ABSTRACT

CONSTELLATION BY PRIMAFRANCE

a Method to Complex Project Scheduling

Cost reduction is one of the ways to remain competitive in our era.

Corporations are diversifying their activities to achieve the most cost effective operation. Companies are either “outsourcing” their activities within the organization to reduce cost, or acquiring firms, specialized in their domain to deliver products faster and with increased quality.

Either solution selected by the management, this transformation results in rapidly expanding companies, trying to integrate the newly created structure into one coherent organization within the possible shortest delay and without major impact on the daily operation.

Development, management and update complex project plans and schedules is one of the project management processes which are affected by this change in the business structure.

In this document we explore a method, which, while it is not revolutionary; but more evolutionary, can bring rapid results in scheduling and controlling of geographically diverse projects.

EDITORIAL

To understand very well this new approach of planning, we suggest you advancing step by step.

Every days, we shall publish an extract of the conference realized by Mister PUTNOKY during the Meeting organized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Calgary in May, 2010 which had a striking success.

Good reading


And please comment the different episod

serge PEREZ
PRIMAFRANCE SYSTEMS
Business Development Manager

CONSTELLATION BY PRIMAFRANCE

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