Running Waterfall projects as Agile internally

This was a thought discussed amongst some project managers about running even the waterfall projects like agile projects internally.  At the initial level the idea seems interesting and I started thinking about what will be the impact of such management or whether this is even possible.

I will try to summarize the process of both management practises in the following points.

The waterfall project

• Complete Specification Documentation
• Complete Requirement Documentation
• Complete Risk Analysis and Mitigation documentation
• Actual development of the tasks + buffer available for unforeseen risks

Agile Projects

• Just enough Specifications per sprint
• Just enough requirement per sprint
• Risk assessment only for the sprint
• Actual development of task + no buffer for risks as all unforeseen risks and unplanned specs will be added as a new backlog item

So when we talk about running waterfal projects like agile what does that mean?

As the project costing has anyway to be done hence the specification and requirement process must be done anyway.  I am still not sure whether running waterfall projects like agile can even be done.  My thoughts may mature after some days of time spent on the idea.

Till then

with regards
Tushar Joshi, Nagpur

Manage your KRAs

With the appraisals you have some KRAs (Key Result Areas) assigned to you.  Do you know these KRAs will be rated again when there will be another appraisal?  I think yes, you know this very well.

These KRAs are just like additional tasks assigned to you for the given appraisal period.  Are you managing your KRA’s?  You may ask me what is managing KRA and why should I do that?

KRA is just like any other task assigned to you.  The only difference is the project name is next appraisal and the project manager for release and delivery of this task is YOU.

As soon as you start thinking about the KRA’s in this way you can feel the gap between the actions you are following and the actions needed to complete these KRAs.  Let us think about what more can we do to successfully deliver our KRA points as expected.

Understanding the KRA

1. What is the meaning of your KRA
1. If you are unclear about this then the first step shall be to write down the actual meaning of the KRA
2. The meaning can be discussed with the Project Manager or pears.
2. What activities are expected in your KRA
1. Write down the activities required to fulfil the KRA
2. Write down any resources or tools you will be using for completing the KRA
3. Get this list approved from the project manager or the reporting authority who will be responsible for your next appraisal

 

Executing the KRA tasks

1. Assuming “Next Appraisal” as a project
1. Plan for the deliverables in your KRA
2. Provide a milestone plan for them
3. Write schedule, i.e. tentative dates for the completion of the milestones of your KRA activities
4. Write Acceptance criteria of the KRA.  When you will say that the KRA is done, what are the points that prove that the KRA is actually done?  Get these acceptance points approved so you can get a clear rating of 3,4 or 5 in the next appraisal
2. Monitor and Control the activities
1. Like any other project monitor the execution of these KRA’s
2. This is a unique situation where you are the project manager and at the same time you are resource responsible for completion of the project
3. Take decisions and find out any slippage in the task schedule according to the plan
4. Plan the days according to the health of your KRA project.  You will have to decide whether there is a fire in your project this time, and may be cancel some recreation activities for completion of the KRA tasks
5. Keep a log of all the activities done for the KRA tasks so that you can make them available when asked
3. Deliver the KRAs
1. If you can attain the KRA in less time or better than it was expected then you can get a rating of 4 or even 5 for it.  Earn the rating by proper planning and execution of the KRA tasks.
2. Appear for the appraisal discussion with all the related log files and data you have created for execution of KRA tasks.  You can also show your KRA plan, monitoring log and decisions you have taken while executing the KRA tasks.

With Regards

Tushar