The ability to visualize a project from start-to-finish is a critical skill in forecasting and enabling success. Starting as a site developer in 1994, I have advanced through all levels of project management and, ultimately, to the highest involvements in strategic planning. Now, I view a project though all its lenses, and can translate both technical and business initiatives into actionable tasks.

The launch pad of e-business development.

We seek to answer some important questions: Why are we building this site or product? Why is it important to the business, and to business owners? How will it contribute? What problems will it solve (or create!)?

Looking deep into the business, asking these (and many more) questions aligns the project with a well-conceived online business strategy. The goals & objectives of the project become clear. As such, its strategic direction needs to be maintained through the project lifecycle.

The project starts to take shape.

With the goals and objectives of the project explicitly stated, it is time to start researching specific approaches and solutions. Look at supporting technologies. Assess internal hardware, software and human resources. Identify gaps in knowledge and capabilities. Find partners. Itemize the budget. Define the approach.

All the pieces come together

The team, the technologies, the schedule are all in place. The project manager becomes the hub of the project – overseeing communications and responsibilities. It all evolves: design and architecture, testing and launch.

Keeping it working.

The product has been built. Now it needs to function in a reliable and efficient way. With all the supporting technologies in place and all the staff educated on its “inner workings”, the maintenance plan needs to be codified and ritualized in the organization. Regular maintenance schedules, as well as crisis escalation procedures, are documented and shared.