The ultimate guide to 9 important documents for your project
You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of project documents during every phase of a project. There is a lot of paperwork that must be completed in order to have a project of high quality.
Take a moment to think about which project is most likely succeed in your opinion. One that has many project papers OR one with only a few?
There is no one right answer!
There may be some paperwork required at every stage of the challenge: initiation, planning and execution.
Each project is unique and has its own complexity, purpose, deliverables and life cycle. The project documents may differ from one another.
Is there a list that must-have documents? Who makes the final decision?
A skilled project manager and the right tools and techniques are essential for successful project planning and execution. The project manager is the best person to make this decision.
I have compiled a complete list of documents and their roles. This will help you manage project activities and provide essential deliverables. They played a crucial role in ensuring that my projects were successful.
Even for simple projects, there can be too many details that the human mind may not be capable of capturing, remembering, and managing all of them accurately. Let’s agree that documentation is essential for project execution and helps to reduce risk.
Documentation is essential for future reference and expansion of ideas. It is a guideline for re-visiting project plans, actions, goals, or purpose.
These documents allow sponsors, teams, or stakeholders to quickly get the information they need without having to wait for a project manager.
These documents can be used to save time and effort as they make the necessary information easily accessible to the project manager, team, stakeholders, and other parties. It can also improve concentration. It helps you complete all tasks on time.
Proper documentation is essential for any work that will be done. It covers the scope, time and quality constraints.
It is crucial that the scope of the document be correct. This should be shared with all parties to ensure that everyone understands the deliverables. Give them access! !
Below is a list with 9 essential project documents.
1. Project Business Case
Every project requires an investment of time, money, and effort.
The business case is the heart of any project. It must answer the question “Is it worth it?” A business case helps to determine, highlight, and balance the costs and expected benefits of a project.
It identifies and highlights the main reasons to invest in a project.
2. Project Charter
Without a project charter, there is no project. It is the most important project deliverable.
The project charter identifies what is needed for the project, authorizes it to proceed and gives authority to the project manager for requests for resources and to conduct activities.
The purpose of the project charter was to clearly document the following:
Project Objectives
Project constraints
Internal and External Stakeholders
In-scope activities
Activities outside of the scope
Assumptions
The benefits of the project’s results
Negative and Positive Risks
Budget and spending authority at the highest levels
It is advisable to have a project charter for each phase of a multi-phased large project. This will be created at the