Page 94 - Budgeting for Managers

Concept:
Approval
Analysis:
Approval Planning and Budgeting a Project 77
Design:
Approval
Development:
Approval
Transition to Production:
Approval
Production:

Decommissioning:

Table 5-2. Quick project overview, blank for copying (continued)

We use the Project Overview to accomplish the first two
steps. As we do, we may be told, “This project has to be done
by June 1” or “We can only spend $500 on decorations and
catering for the big gallery opening.” We need to listen to and
respect the customers’ wishes. We call these the “imposed
schedule” and “budget.” We aren’t saying that we can do what
they’ve asked; but we know they want it. If their request, the
imposed date or budget, doesn’t match our estimate of what the
job will take, we’ll work it out with them.
Here are the steps for defining the project and finishing the
top half of the Quick Project Overview.
1. Write down what you know. Put question marks next to
what you don’t know.
2. Talk to people. Find out what they want and get their
ideas. Use the overview as a questionnaire; don’t leave the
meeting without asking at least one question that will help
fill in each spot on the top half of the form. If they don’t