Determine Project
Interdependencies
Projects tend to be interdependent in many potential ways.
In this action you will work to identify the other projects that your project
concept links to, how they depend upon each other, and what the potential issues
and problems are. You can then add these issues to others in the previous section.
Here are some ways two projects can interrelate.
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They share the same resources. This creates resource
conflicts.
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They employ the same network or technology. This can create
a load and stress on the network and other resources.
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They contradict each other in terms of policies, procedures,
or organization.
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The results of one project are necessary for the other
project to be successful.
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They compete for the same limited pool of available funds.
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The projects together exact too much stress and load on the
employees or management in one or more locations.
Now create a table. Yes, another table. The rows and columns of
the table are the projects—both current and new. The table entry is the way in
which two projects (for the corresponding row and column) interrelate.
Let’s consider an example. Suppose that there are two projects
going on in three countries. One is network expansion and upgrading (called A).
A second is a project that has been started to upgrade employee skills through
training (called B). The third is the project concept for a new human resource
system (called C). Figure 2.8
gives the table. Note that the diagonal is always blank since it corresponds to
the row and column being the same project. Both B and C require the network and
also people resources. The training and upgrading of staff skills will have to
be dome again when C is carried out.
This table helps management to understand competing demands
among projects.
Sections
Syndication
