The Internal Sale of a Project: what should the Project Definition include?

 

Do you want to promote a Project? Do you have to raise it for approval? Here are the suggestions, which, although they do not guarantee success, can help you to have a roadmap for your presentation.

 

Logically and sequentially address the following points:

 

GOALS:

Do not make the mistake of including here what the project will do or build. Also, do not include phrases as repeated as those that make reference to the strategy. Go straight to the point: INCLUDE HERE THE CONCRETE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT. That is, the value proposal and, if possible, in quantitative terms.

 

SCOPE:

A successful project is one that manages very well the expectations of all those who in one way or another are connected to it. Therefore, INCLUDE WHAT THE PROJECT COMPRISES AND WHAT THE PROJECT DOES NOT COMPRISES.

 

CONCEPTUAL MODEL:

Make a description (graphically possible) of the solution. Identify what products comprise. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION: WHY THIS SOLUTION / OPTION AND NOT ANOTHER?

 

METHODOLOGY:

Show seamlessly and professionally that you know how the project is going to be done.
CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE STAGES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTS. (AND BE PREPAREd TO DEFEND THE IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH WHICH YOU HAVE CHOSEN

 

ORGANIZATION:

What will be the structure of the Project? Who are going to be the sponsors? Who the Project Manager? What will be the work teams? What level of dedication will be required throughout the project? THE STRUCTURE MUST NOT ONLY REFLECT THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, BUT ALSO, THE NECESSARY COMMITMENTS.

 

TIMELINE:

Did you think of presenting it in an approximate way and without giving further details? Definitely not. Work on estimating deadlines. PRESENT THE TOTAL DURATION WITH THE DEADLINE THAT WILL TAKE EVERY STAGE THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE METHODOLOGY.

 

RISK MATRIX:

Identify the risks of the project execution. Show that you are taking them into account. PRESENT A MATRIX THAT SHOWS THE RISK, ITS IMPLICATION AND THE MITIGANT ACTION TO NEUTRALIZE IT.

 

BUSINESS CASE OR FINANCIAL ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT:

VAN, TIR, RECOVERY PERIOD.. Does it sound familiar to you? The three of them will be part of your presentation. For what? To answer common sense questions: how much will this project generate? What is your rate of return? How long is the investment recovered timeframe?

 

If your already have it ready … well, then one last suggestion if it is about to be presented. ASK YOURSELF: did I validate it before with the relevant stakeholders and did I make them participate? If the answer is negative, there is still time to solve it. Go and build consensus and then… PRESENT IT WITH FAITH!

¡Hope it helps!