Running example project — Steering a project from A to Z — the complete project file
- Objective: run a project (real or fictional: an event, a department move, a product launch) by producing, level after level, the key deliverables of a real project file.
- Material: the project manager's toolbox below (reusable templates and checklists).
- Method: one step per level — scope, plan, steer, then, depending on context, choose predictive or agile.
⬇️ Download the project manager's toolbox (TXT)
Step 0 · Level 0 — Scoping (L0-L1)
Write the scoping note and charter: need, SMART objectives, scope (included/excluded), stakeholders (power/interest matrix), governance. Get the go "signed".
Step 1 · Level 1 — Structuring the work (L2)
Build the WBS down to work packages, estimate effort and durations, then build a Gantt with dependencies and identify the critical path.
Step 2 · Level 2 — Closing the plan (L2)
Assign resources, detect and smooth overloads (workload plan), then set the budget with a contingency reserve.
Step 3 · Level 3 — Steering execution (L3)
Set up progress tracking (remaining work), a risk register, a change process, a dashboard (KPI/earned value) and a communication plan.
Step 4 · Level 4 — Choosing/injecting agility (L4)
If the need is uncertain, break part of it into agile: a prioritized, estimated backlog of user stories, organized in sprints (Scrum) or flow (Kanban), in a fitting tool.
Step 5 · Level 5 — Leading and closing (L5)
Lead the team (leadership, motivation), defuse tensions, then close: acceptance, delivery, and lessons learned capitalizing teachings. Place the certification useful to your profile.
Success criteria
- Complete scoping: scoping note + charter, SMART objectives, explicit scope, analyzed stakeholders, defined governance.
- Solid planning: WBS, estimates, Gantt with dependencies and critical path, smoothed workload plan, budget with reserve.
- Steering in place: tracking (remaining work), risk register, change process, dashboard and communication plan.
- Human dimension and closure: mobilized team, managed conflicts, project properly closed (acceptance + delivery) and capitalized lessons.