Producing the Project Roadmap and Project Plans

 The Project Roadmap is larger in scope than a single project plan.  It encompasses a series of projects that carry the organization forward to longer range objectives.

An individual project will include:

• Develop Scope Definition
• Develop Work Package Plan
• Develop Project Schedule
• Assemble Project Budgets
• Approve Plan

Key Project Questions

  Answering critical questions is another key to project success:

• What are the expected outcomes of this project?
• What are the inputs and outputs?
• Why are we doing this project?
• When will the project begin and end?
• How will the outcomes be accomplished?
• Where will the project take place?
• Who is involved with this project?
• Who is the customer?
• Who is the sponsor?
• Who will contribute to the project?

The Proposed Project Plan

The purpose of the proposed project plan is:

• Communication tool (decision makers and team members)
• Decision making tool (should this project be approved?)
• Guides the project phases and activities

The proposed project plan contains:

• Overview of project (Mission, Scope, Goals, Objectives, Benefits)
• Project activity description (Activity List and Work Breakdown Structure)
• Project timeline and critical path
• Resource requirements
• Cost estimate / budget

Approving the plan includes committing to the proposed resource level as well as approving the stated objectives.

Developing Scope

 Scope specifies the boundaries of the project.  It tells what’s in and what’s out.  This effort includes: 

• Scope plan
• Scope definition
• Alternative development

Develop Work Package Plan

 The Work Package Plan is a detailed plan that breaks a project down to the activity level.  The first part of this work includes building an activities list using techniques such as brainstorming, templates and checklists.  This is followed up with these further efforts.

• Activity reconciliation - Prioritize, combine
• Activity definition
• Activity selection - Apply litmus test
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Determining the Budget

 The budget is an itemized projection of the resources need for the project including the amount of money needed for item.  Here are some of the major items that should be included in the budget:

• People (Employees, Consultants)
• Hardware
• Software (Development, Infrastructure)
• External Data

The people budget can be determined by multiplying the hours estimated in the Work Package Plan by the rates.  The projections for hardware, software and external data depend upon the Technical Architecture selected.  Be sure to add some contingency time in case the project does not go as planned.

Training the Team

 Make sure that the data warehousing team is trained in the skills needed for success.  Review each role and team member for needed skills and train as needed.  Team members may require skills in areas such as:

• Project Management
• Data Warehouse Architecture
• Data Warehouse Modelling
• Requirements Analysis
• Specific Tools