A clearly defined project roadmap is central to our Milestone Deliverables methodology. Each roadmap is drawn using periodic signposts. At every stage of a project, our team and the clients can look up the signposts to determine whether they're on the right track. Also, these signposts help them decide on detours and corrections with minimal disruption.
The "Milestone Deliverables" methodology evolved from this roadmap analogy. It provides a framework that structures the myriad tasks into a simple, deliverable-oriented model.
Each project, like a well-organized road-trip, is broken downs into legs, or phases. This way, the driver can focus on identifiable landmarks instead of on an imperceptible final destination.
Specifically, the project is broken down into manageable tasks. Project tasks are accompanied by 14 tangible deliverables, strategically sprinkled throughout the project's phases. Completing a deliverable signifies the completion of a particular milestone. And this completion is often a prerequisite to the start of the next phase.
The format of these deliverables is not set in stone. In fact, this methodology does not intend to limit the choice of ERP, CRM, SCM, PLM, project support software, networking gear, or any other IT technology. Nor does it intend that the sample reports be used without modification. What is important is faithfulness to the principle that the project team be managed to produce high-quality, tangible results in a timely fashion.
Without further ado, the 14 Milestone Deliverables are:
The Milestone Deliverables premise is simple and powerful: If you provide managers and their teams with an ability to measure the project outputs, you will be rewarded with an organizational culture that is focused on deliverables and results.
Each team member benefits from managing by deliverables. Working with their personalized work package in a simple intuitive framework, they gain instant clarity on the scope of their assignments and associated deliverables.
And the deliverables themselves are like a good wine - they constantly improve with age throughout the project's lifecycle. As the team gathers more information, and resolves outstanding problems and issues, the deliverables evolve into better and more complete versions of themselves.
This "Milestone Deliverables" methodology is a process-oriented approach to managing people, objectives, and tasks. It has evolved continuously over 30-plus years and assumes that people are more effective - and better motivated - when working towards smaller, finite goals. Completion of these goals is signified by the production of tangible "end products". And with this feedback, managers are empowered to keep the project on track.
IT systems implementations are extremely complex and touch all aspects of a business' operations. The Milestone Deliverables methodology has been used to implement all kinds of IT projects in a variety of companies around the world, including: