When applying project management practices, not every process, tool, or document is necessary for every project. Tailoring means choosing which elements to adjust, scale up, or simplify so they best serve the project’s needs.
Key areas to tailor include:
- Processes
- Decide which processes are essential and which can be minimized or combined.
- Example: A small project may not need formal risk registers, while a large project may require detailed risk management.
- Methodologies and Approaches
- Select the right delivery approach (predictive, agile, or hybrid).
- Example: A software project may benefit from agile sprints, while a construction project might need predictive scheduling.
- Governance and Oversight
- Adjust the level of reporting, approvals, and documentation based on project size and risk.
- Example: A government project may require strict documentation, while an internal team project may use lighter oversight.
- Tools and Techniques
- Choose project management tools (software, templates, dashboards) that fit the team’s capacity and project complexity.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Define team roles according to project needs.
- Example: A small project may combine multiple roles, while a large project assigns specialized responsibilities.
- Communication
- Adapt communication style and frequency to stakeholder expectations.
- Example: Senior executives may prefer monthly reports, while team members may need daily updates.
In short: Tailor the how of project management—processes, methods, tools, and communication—so the project is managed effectively without unnecessary complexity.
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