directing a project

Directing a Project
Purpose
The purpose of the Directing a Project process is to enable the Project Board to be accountable for the project’s success by making key decisions and exercising overall control while delegating dayto- day management of the project to the Project
Manager.
Ob jective
The objective of the Directing a Project process is to ensure that:
■■ There is authority to initiate the project
■■ There is authority to deliver the project’s products ■■ Management direction and control are provided throughout the project’s life, and that the project remains viable
■■ Corporate or programme management has an interface to the project
■■ There is authority to close the project
■■ Plans for realizing the post-project benefits are managed and reviewed. context The Directing a Project process starts on completion of the Starting up a Project process and is triggered by the request to initiate a project.
The Directing a Project process does not cover the day-to-day activities of the Project Manager, but the activities of those at the level of management above the Project Manager: that is, the Project
Board. The Project Board manages by exception. It monitors via reports and controls through a small number of decision points. There should be no need for other ‘progress meetings’ for the Project
Board. The Project Manager will inform the board of any exception situation. It is also important that levels of authority and decision-making processes are clearly identified.
There needs to be a two-way flow of information between the Project Board and corporate or programme management during the project. It is a key role of the Project Board to engage with corporate or programme management and to act as a communication channel. This need, and how it is to be satisfied, should be documented in the
Communication Management Strategy.
The Project Board should provide unified direction and guidance to the Project Manager. If the