Project Management
My rules for managing projects:
Use email sparingly - really only use it for notifications that new content is available.
Use a collaboration platform - of course, I like Confluence
Everyone on the same page - everyone has access to the relevant information - working out loud.
Information highlights - rather than drowning in information, a page showing highlights of what is happening or decisions made, is a good idea.
Information gathering - data we need from the existing systems:
Any existing or old requirements documents, wishlists, design documents etc.
Process documents
Help documents
Training documents
All the fields in existence
Sample data
All required values in dropdown lists etc
An understanding of how much data there is, and what shape it's in.
It's always going to be bad, just how bad is it
How are we going to clean it up.
Existing forms
Existing reports
Including excel spreadsheets, board reports, anything that uses that data.
A look at existing screens - if that is not possible, then screenshots.
Current system
What's good about it
What's bad about it
Where does it fall down
Where do things fall through the cracks
How is it tracked and monitored
How do you deal with problems
What is a perfect scenario
What is a really bad scenario.
What are all the other scenarios.
What data is missing from the system, why, where is it?
What data shouldn't belong in the system?
Other information we need:
Any and all other systems that the business uses - whether they are related or not.
What the board, executive or management needs out of this system.
What are the legislative requirements or restrictions.
What are the inputs to this system.
Eg Website, web forms
What are the client's / end users / stakeholders needs.
What are the emotions / thoughts and feelings around the project.
What is the politics and history of the project.