No matter what type of project you are planning it is going to follow the same lifecycle and go through a specific sequence of phases. Even though every project has its own unique requirements, sets of tasks, and processes, they follow a basic structure. There is a distinct beginning, middle, and end to the project. The predictability of a project life cycle helps the team know what to expect. Dividing the project into distinct phases is possible with project management software and this article sees how BigTime software vs Monday software compares for every stage of the process.
The Initiation Stage
The initiation phase is the first part of any project management cycle and this is where the teams define their aims and goals. This stage involves initial research and a feasibility study which helps teams figure out the value this project will add to the end user’s life.
The project is also responsible for coming up with a charter where they identify all the stakeholders along with their roles. Adopting the BigTime software vs Monday software in the initiation stage can help teams get a head start on their progress. At the end of this stage, the project manager should have a keen understanding of all the goals, objectives, requirements, and risks.
The Planning Stage
The planning stage is crucial because this is where the team creates the roadmap which will be followed for the entire lifecycle. It outlines the goals, milestones, and other requirements requested by the client. During the planning stage, the upper-level management will create and develop a plan for resources and performance monitoring. They will also assign roles and responsibilities, build workflows, and anticipate any potential risks with their backup plans.
Bigtime Features
Before the project can move on to the execution phase and communicate the plan to stakeholders, there are certain tasks that need to be completed by the project manager and their team. It is important to communicate the vision to the team members and set goals related to deliverables to help the team come up with a solid plan. BigTime software can help categorize team members based on their roles and compile contact information in a concise list.
The planning stage is when the team develops a project plan and finalizes its details with the team. It takes place before project kickoff and requires the manager to define metrics for success and how they will be measured. The team is supposed to identify any bottlenecks and prepare for potential delays that could affect the project’s progress. There should be a team available to deal with all these problems efficiently.
The communication plan is also decided during this stage when the team decides on a channel and establishes a protocol for meetings. Monday software has all the tools needed to implement workflows and promote the best practices amongst teams when it comes to communication. They will be deciding upon the tools and making sure everyone has access to the combined database.
This is also where the kickoff meeting is scheduled and all stakeholders are invited to discuss the future of the project. The team will be setting the agenda for this meeting by preparing a presentation and helping relevant departments prepare by providing them with a detailed schedule.
The Execution Stage
The execution stage is the most important and longest stage of the project because this is where the bulk of the work is done. It requires the most resources, time, employees, and features of BigTime software vs Monday software. The team will be working on the deliverables and making sure they are meeting all the project requirements. Once the project is kicked off with a meeting, this phase of the project lifecycle begins. The meeting agenda helps define several important aspects of the project.
The manager will be going around and introducing everyone working on the project and what their role will be. The team members get a chance to look at the roadmap. Find out their responsibilities for the remainder of the lifecycle.
It is also essential that all communication channels are defined along with a schedule for future meetings. This is also when the team is introduced to BigTime software. And gave a training session or brief overview of where they can access the necessary data. The team will be discussing the next course of action and getting a list of their first set of deliverables. It is also a good chance for them to voice any concerns or ask questions.
The Monitoring Stage
This phase is running concurrently with the execution stage as the project progresses. They are responsible for making sure everything is moving along as expected. It is the time to make adjustments, plan for unexpected situations, and pivot whenever required.
The manager will be responsible for resource management and tracking employee performance during this stage. Monday software can help with that and a lot more such as risk management and generating status reports for stakeholders. They will be updating the schedule and modifying plans according to the current pace.
The Closing Stage
The closure is the final critical step in the lifecycle of a project. It indicates that the project has officially ended and gives the team. A chance to wrap up, hand over, and reflect. The managers will have a chance to take inventory of all the tasks. Complete any last-minute processes, and share all the data with the client.
They also have a chance to analyze and introspect on everything that went right or wrong. The documents are organized and any current files of BigTime software vs Monday software can archive. TIt is finally time to celebrate the completion and acknowledge the contribution of all team members.
