Stated Objectives and business reasoning

PM in LEGO SMA, Billund, 6-7 OCT 2014

M: +45 31 506 502 E: [email protected] T: LEADERSDK IN: LEADERS INT W: LEADERS.DK HENNINGSENS ALLE 53 DK-2900 HELLERUP Project structure

Project Product Project goal Purpose Effect Vision and Acceptance criteria Success criteria framework strategy how what why

It must make sense!

how do we do why do we do it? it? Stated objective – what is it?

• The stated objective should clarify why the project has been launched, what should be delivered during the project, how it should be completed (approved), and how to measure its success

• The stated objective is a core element of project management and is part of the “contract” with the steering committee

• The stated objective specifies: The project’s effect (= purpose), deliveries (= project goal), how we approve the deliveries (= acceptance criteria) and how we subsequently measure if the project was successful (= success criteria)

• The stated objective helps ensure: Agreement on expectations, motivation, commitment, ambition, anchoring, and obligations

• The stated objective can span several hierarchies Stated objective - levels

Purpose: Why is the project being carried out? “In order to…”

Success criteria: Which success should the project realise? (effect) “By achieving”, “By improving”, “By increasing”

Project goal: What should be delivered, created or done to create this effect? “By delivering...” Acceptance criteria: According to which quality should the results be measured? “It is okay when/if…” Stated objective – process depends on project type

Project uncertainty

Stated objective process Political account

Stated objective process Organisational change

Stated objective Product development project

Objective Building and delivery project

Project life cycle

Source: Power in projects and portfolios Stated objective – Responsibility for the project

Steering committee

Project manager Stated objective - correlation

Realised Planned framework framework

Idea Prepare Start Realise Close

Project life cycle Product life cycle

Outlined Purpose and Project goal Purpose and purpose success criteria delivered and success criteria are determined acceptance criteria met Project goal and met acceptance criteria defined Stated objective – use SMART goals

A good stated objective is SMART

Specific !

Measurable Unclear goals is the Accepted most common reason for project failure Realistic, but ambitious

Time-specific The Oresund Bridge

Saltholm Tunnel Peberholm ½- Island Oresund The Oresund Bridge - purpose

Ask: Why should the project be carried out? Why should we build a permanent connection between Denmark and Sweden (the project)?

! The answer is the purpose: “In order to…” In order to contribute to the integration of the Orestad region, we need a permanent connection between and Malmo

Purpose Why is the project carried out? How will the project be of benefit? What effect will the project have? The general and long-term goal of the project The Oresund Bridge - goal

Ask: How should the project be carried out?

The answer is the project goal: “By delivering…” By delivering a man-made island (Peberholmen) By delivering a tunnel between Copenhagen Airport and Peberholmen By delivering a half-island by Copenhagen Airport Project goal By delivering a bridge between What will we be left with the day the project is completed? Peberholmen and Lernakken (Malmo) Output/deliveries from the project! “Picture of the desired result!” The Oresund Bridge – success criteria

Ask: How can the success (effect) be measured?

The answer is the success criteria: “By…” The number of Danes who cross the bridge being 30,000 per week after three months The fact that the water flow in Oresund is not reduced by more than 0.5% (defensive quality goal) The bridge lasting at least 100 years

Success criteria are Specific indicators that the purpose/effect has been reached Determines the project’s level of ambition Prerequisite for documenting the project’s impact The Oresund Bridge – acceptance criteria

Ask: When has the product been delivered at an approved quality?

! The answer is the acceptance criteria: “If/when…” The bridge has four lanes in each direction and two railway tracks The bridge can handle 50,000 vehicles per day The bridge is nominated for a design prize (offensive quality goal) The number of accidents is 25% lower than for similar projects (process quality)

Acceptance criterias are measurable quality of project deliveries.