Project Management Services
Subscribing to PMI® and ITIL® best practice guidelines, the Zones Project Management Methodology is a process our Professional Services consultants employ to produce clear scope definition, efficient organization, careful monitoring and satisfactory closure procedures for all of our clients' project-related engagements. This process ensures quality results, open communication and professionalism when working with our clients, while providing detailed project scope and definitive documentation to our Zones Professional Services staff.
Our Project Management Methodology is broken down into four sequential phases:
Initiation: The Initiate Phase ensures that a potential project is clearly understood and agreed upon by all parties. By taking the time to complete the steps outlined in this first stage, a foundation will be established for clear communication and mutual understanding. The Initiate Phase helps ensure that the project will be a mutually satisfying experience for both the client and our staff. The main objectives of this phase are to properly identify, estimate and justify projects.
Planning: The Plan Phase provides all parties with the opportunity to define the manner in which the project will operate. It is an opportunity for the project manager to define the scope of services, the primary objectives and the preferred approach. During this stage, the project manager and client will discuss and agree upon project deliverables, project schedule and timeline, project organization, project roles and responsibilities, and risk analysis and mitigation strategies. It is also the period during which terms and conditions will be defined.
Execution and Control: Execution, planning, organization and monitoring tasks and resources are all part of a continuous process throughout any project. Given that there will be constraints on time, costs and resources, our project managers come readily prepared, demonstrating the necessary discipline and accountability for all aspects of the project. Creating a project's work plan is only one step during planning and execution. Managing changes throughout the project is an ongoing process that does not end until the project is complete. The project manager is responsible for managing and communicating these changes to the client.
Project Close: The Close Phase is the final stage of a project. At this time, all activities have been completed and have met client requirements. The project manager collects feedback, gains client sign-off on the project, and saves and archives applicable documentation.
What to Expect from a Zones Project Manager
The project manager (PM) is the primary point of contact for clients and Zones Professional Services staff regarding a specific project, its staffing and the quality of execution and delivery of that project. The PM, once identified, helps facilitate the pre-sales process and ensures delivery of all services.
The identified PM manages all aspects of project execution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the project is properly defined prior to execution. The PM also schedules the project kick-off meeting to provide tracking and documentation, including the set-up of a project folder on the network (shared/client-project) and the determination and communication of the project's schedule and its participants. The Zones project manager handles all aspects of executing, controlling, monitoring, scheduling and reporting project-related activities. The PM also documents and communicates all issues and changes to the client and to the applicable Zones account executive.
The PM ensures that all deliverables are completed and that the client is satisfied with the end results. The PM and client then schedule and attend the Post Project Review meeting, complete the individualized Assignment Evaluation form and forward the results to the consulting manager. During this entire process the PM consistently verifies client satisfaction, and upon project completion the client will receive a feedback survey to complete.
Contact our Professional Services Team or call your Zones account executive for help building the right solution.
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