1.2 What Do You Want to Do?
This chapter gives you a map to guide you through the rest of the course. Simply look down the left-hand side and find the scenario that best describes your situation. The corresponding right hand side will tell you which modules of the course to refer to and which tools to use in order to shorten your project.
| Your Situation | Use which Modules? | |
| 1 | SINGLE PROJECT / NOT STARTED
You have a single project that you want to get done as quickly as possible. The project hasn’t started yet. |
o Use Module 3 Scoping & Planning a Project in a Day to get you started
o Then use the 3 tools of Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques to shorten the resulting plan. Alternatively use Module 4 Ultimate Shortening Tools to shorten the resulting plan o Use Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques Execution tools to run the project with minimum effort o Use the 9 tools of Module 5 Execution-Specific Shortening Techniques to look for further opportunities to shorten the project o Finish the project with The 5-Minute Project Improvement Program from Module 2 |
| 2 | SINGLE PROJECT / IN PROGRESS
You have a single project that you want to get done as quickly as possible. The project has started and you have a plan. |
o Use the 3 tools of Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques to shorten the existing plan. Alternatively use Module 4 Ultimate Shortening Tools
o Use Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques Execution tools to run the project with minimum effort o Use the 9 tools of Module 5 Execution-Specific Shortening Techniques to look for further opportunities to shorten the project o Finish the project with The 5-Minute Project Improvement Program from Module 2 |
| 3 | CRITICAL PROJECT / NOT STARTED
You have a mission-critical project that hasn’t started yet. The benefits of getting this project done early are anything from significant to colossal. |
o Use Module 3 Scoping & Planning a Project in a Day to get you started
o Then use the 3 tools of Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques to shorten the resulting plan. Alternatively use Module 4 Ultimate Shortening Tools o Use Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques Execution tools to run the project with minimum effort o Use the 9 tools of Module 5 Execution-Specific Shortening Techniques to look for further opportunities to shorten the project o Finish the project with The 5-Minute Project Improvement Program from Module 2 |
| 4 | CRITICAL PROJECT / IN PROGRESS
You have a mission-critical project that’s part way through. The benefits of getting this project done early are anything from significant to colossal. |
Use the 3 tools of Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques to shorten the remainder of the project. Alternatively use Module 4 Ultimate Shortening Tools
o Use Module 2 Basic Shortening Techniques Execution tools to run the project with minimum effort o Use the 9 tools of Module 5 Execution-Specific Shortening Techniques to look for further opportunities to shorten the project o Finish the project with The 5-Minute Project Improvement Program from Module 2 |
| 5 | ORGANISATION SETUP
You are setting up a project delivery organization from scratch.
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o Set it up using 6.2 Stop Multitasking and 6.3 Capacity Planning and then run the projects as above |
| 6 | EXISTING ORGANISATION
You already have a project delivery organization. Multitasking is widespread. There may or may not be capacity planning.
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o Use 6.2 Stop Multitasking to migrate from a multitasking to a non-multitasking environment.
o If no capacity planning is done, use 6.3 Capacity Planning to implement it.
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| 7 | PROJECT HEALTH
You want to assess the health of a project very quickly |
o How to Assess a Project in 5 Minutes
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| 8 | INHERITED A PROJECT
You’ve inherited a project and want to know what kind of state it’s in |
o Use The (at Most) 5 Questions You Need to Ask When You Inherit a Project
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| 9 | PROJECT RESCUE
You need to rescue a project that has gotten into serious trouble |
o Use The 3 Things You Have to do to Rescue a Project |
| 10 | IMPOSSIBLE MISSIONS
You’re being asked to do the impossible – and the stakeholders won’t take ‘no’ for an answer |
o How To Deal With Impossible Projectso How to Deal With Irrational Stakeholders
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| 11 | GOT THE BASICS RIGHT?
You’re starting a project and you want to make sure you have the basics right before you start out |
o The Top Five Reasons That Projects Go Wrongo The 2 Things You’d Better Have Right Before You Start Out
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