Projects Database
Common process for project management
The common process is an operational tool allowing better follow-up, quality management and repeatability of projects.
It is also a training tool that helps energy actors to structure their projects.
The common process is not intended to be a constraint: everybody is free to find the process helpful.
The process is divided into five phases :
Specific deliverables are expected at each end of phase. A go/no go review is then undergone so as to decide to launch the following phase.
Concept phase
The concept phase is a short phase that can be undertaken by a small team.
It is planned for the project holder to ensure that all the necessary conditions for a successful project are gathered:
- Target people
- Needs to be satisfied
- Availability of a solution: technology maturity, adaptability and cost
- Partners:
- Local operational partners
- "Technical" partners
- Support from public officials
- Financing partners
A document entitled "concept review" can be issued at the end of the concept phase.
If all these conditions are gathered then the Feasibility phase is launched.
Negociations and discussions between partners can be considered as part of the concept phase.
Feasibility phase
The Feasibility phase aims at exploring all technical, financial, operational and cultural aspects of the project.
During this phase, the target people should be visited and the needs to be satisfied clearly defined.
All operational partners should meet and discuss the solution to be implemented, the operational and the financial planning as well as the project organization chart.
Unless the project is abandoned, a feasibility study should be issued at the end of the phase. The study should explore the following aspects:
- Target people and specification of the needs to be satisfied:
- size of population, age categories, socio-professional categories, urban/rural
- Actors, organisations, infrastructures already available
- Solution:
- Technical description
- Operational description
- End of life description
- Global impacts:
- Environmental, social and economical impacts
- Socio-cultural acceptability from target group
- Project plan:
- Action planning to develop, test, implement and maintain solution
- Progress review planning
- Team planning and organization chart
- Communication planning
- Financial planning
- Similar projects: feedbacks from other cases
The financing partners may also ask to file in an application form for financial support. The feasibility study can be provided alongside to support the financing request.
The go/no go decision is taken by the financing partners. If the financial resources are granted then the Development and test phase can be launched.
Development and test phase
During the Development phase, the solution is designed and developed. A test plan is issued. During the test phase, the solution is thoroughly tested. A test review is issued.
During these phases, the project plan designed during the feasibility phase is carried out. Actions, reviews, communication and finances have to be followed-up.
If the test phase is satisfactory, the implementation and maintenance plan is updated. Guidebooks and training packages are also issued. The solution is then implemented.
Implementation phase
During this phase, the solution is implemented, the users are trained, the maintenance team (may be same as users) is trained. The maintenance team is not yet in charge of the solution. The project team is still there to correct for possible errors.
When fully implemented, a project performance report is issued: it aims at providing feedbacks on the project for improvement.
The project is closed and the solution is "commercialized". The maintenance team is then in charge.
Maintenance phase
The maintenance team is in charge. The solution is regularly reviewed. Upgrades can be developed.
The solution can also become obsolete or not anymore maintainable. The solution is then scrapped and another project may be launched.
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