Project templates and models - save time
A company has built up expertise within a specific area. Therefore, it will be quite natural that the projects that the company processes are similar. There will be procedures, tasks, components, tests, etc. that are repeated from project to project.
Therefore, it can be advantageous to use project templates for the company's projects.
A project template is a pre-defined structure that outlines the key components, tasks, and deliverables of a project. It serves as a starting point for planning and executing similar projects by providing a standardized format that can be customized to meet specific project requirements. Project templates typically include sections for project objectives, scope, timeline, resources, risks, and other relevant information. By using project templates, project managers and team members can save time, ensure consistency, and streamline the project planning process.
Pros:
- Time-saving: Project templates can save a significant amount of time by providing a pre-defined structure and layout for a project. This can help in getting started quickly and efficiently.
- Consistency: Using templates ensures consistency across different projects within an organization. This can help in maintaining a standard format and quality for all projects.
- Efficiency: Templates can streamline the project planning process by providing guidelines and best practices. This can lead to improved efficiency and productivity.
- Reduced errors: With predefined templates, there is less room for errors or omissions in project documentation. This can help in ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Learning tool: Templates can also serve as a learning tool for new team members or project managers by providing a structured framework to follow.
Cons:
- Lack of flexibility: One of the main drawbacks of project templates is the lack of flexibility. Templates may not always cater to the unique requirements of every project, leading to limitations in customization.
- Over-reliance: Relying too heavily on templates can stifle creativity and innovation. It may discourage team members from thinking outside the box and coming up with new ideas.
- Outdated information: If templates are not regularly updated or maintained, they may contain outdated information or best practices. This can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in project execution.
- Generic solutions: Templates are designed to be generic and may not always address specific project needs or challenges. This can result in suboptimal outcomes for certain projects.
- Resistance to change: Some team members may resist using templates, preferring to work in their own way. This can lead to resistance to adopting new processes and tools.
By building your project templates in models, it is easier to maintain the templates. A model can be described based on 3 elements.
Project Models
By building your project templates in models, it is easier to maintain the templates. A model can be described based on 3 elements.
- Model properties - height, width, weight, color, text, numbers, etc
- The model operations - what it does in terms of movement, calculation, programming function, etc.
- The model dependencies - which other models the model depends on
For example, a company may have some components which are designed by the company itself and which are used across several projects. In Proglar, such components can be created as global models, where you describe the model. If you update a model, the version no. will be changed in Proglar. In the projects in which the model is included, you will easily be able to see whether the model is updated or not – the model version can be found in the model history.
Templates built from models
By analyzing the company's projects, it will be possible to map which parts repeat themselves from project to project. Which parts are included in a relatively large proportion of projects and which are only included in a few projects.
The company can choose to prepare several templates depending on the need. And it is possible to choose to build project templates, where the actual skeleton is the company's core business. When you create a project based on a template, you can add global models and project-specific models to the project. It provides maximum flexibility in templates and maintains the benefits of templates.