Concepts
Understanding and diligently implementing the principle of continual re-assessment is an essential success factor for anyone working towards attaining the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. This principle primarily focuses on the regular identification and resolution of any impediments, obstacles, or blockers that may hinder the team’s progress.
The Importance of Continuous Re-assessment
Continual re-assessment is a vital cog in the wheel of project management. It’s not enough to just identify the possible hurdles at the outset of the project. As a project progresses, new issues may emerge while some initial challenges could evolve or transform entirely. This demands a constant review of the project’s health and status, ensuring its smooth execution and timely completion.
Identify Barriers and Blockers
Barriers can be anything that restricts the successful completion of the project. It could be lack of resources, skillset deficiencies, unclear goals, or communication gaps. Similarly, blockers are immediate issues preventing team members from accomplishing their tasks. Identifying such issues involves constant communication with team members and stakeholders, regular reviews of project progress, and keen observation skills.
Re-assessment Mechanisms
Re-assessment is not a standalone activity but is generally incorporated into other routine project management processes. For instance, during daily stand-ups in agile practices, team members discuss the tasks completed, the plan ahead, and any blockers faced. Similarly, regular project reviews are a platform for identifying any deviations from the project plan and analyzing the root cause.
Strategies to Overcome Obstructions
Once the blocks and barriers are diagnosed, the next key step involves developing strategies to tackle them. The PMP aspirant must cultivate problem-solving skills to devise effective solutions that won’t impact the project timeline or budget significantly.
For example, assume there’s a resource crunch in a project. The project manager may look at various alternatives like redistributing tasks among existing team members, outsourcing certain tasks, or hiring freelancers. Whatever the resolution, it’s necessary to analyze the impact on the project and ensure minimal disruptions.
Measurement of Effectiveness
Continual reassessment also includes analyzing the effectiveness of the solutions implemented. Are the blockers effectively resolved? Are there any new issues popping up? This evaluation is crucial to ensure the project stays on track and maintains continuous improvement.
Continual Re-assessment Table
Here is a simple table that outlines a four-step cyclic approach to continual re-assessment.
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Identify | Pinpoint the obstacles, impediments, and blockers. |
| Analyze | Understand the root cause and impact of the issue. |
| Resolve | Find a suitable solution to rectify the issue. |
| Review | Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the solution. |
Conclusion
The PMP exam insists heavily on continual re-assessment as it is the backbone of successful project management. As an aspiring PMP professional, honing this practice can be immensely helpful not only to crack the certification but also to excel in a real-time project environment. Remember, being proactive rather than reactive can make all the difference!
Always remember – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, keep re-assessing and stay ahead in the game!
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: On a project, problems and issues never occur after the initial planning phase, so reassessment is not necessary.
• True
• False
Answer: False
Explanation: Problems, obstacles, and limitations can arise at any time during the project lifecycle. So, reassessment is necessary to ensure they are promptly addressed.
As a project manager, which of these should you regularly re-assess?
• A. Budget allocation
• B. Team performance
• C. Project timeline
• D. Obstacles and impediments
• E. All of the above
Answer: E. All of the above
Explanation: Re-assessing all these factors will ensure that the project is on track and any issues or obstacles are promptly addressed.
True or False: The role of a project manager doesn’t include dealing with impediments, obstacles, and blockers for the team.
• True
• False
Answer: False
Explanation: One of the project manager’s main responsibilities is proactively identifying and handling any roadblocks or obstacles that could hinder the project’s progress.
Should re-assessments to identify and address impediments, obstacles, and blockers be part of the project schedule?
• A. Yes
• B. No
Answer: A. Yes
Explanation: Regular re-assessments should ideally be part of the project schedule to ensure that any potential or existing issues are resolved promptly for the seamless progression of the project.
True or False: Prioritizing and addressing obstacles is not necessary if the project is on track.
• True
• False
Answer: False
Explanation: Even if the project seems to be on track, obstacles and impediments should be prioritized and addressed promptly to avoid any potential delays or issues.
As a project manager, what is the one of the main focuses during the re-assessment process?
• A. Identifying team’s strengths
• B. Addressing the team’s training needs
• C. Addressing obstacles and impediments
• D. Evaluating the project’s financial status
Answer: C. Addressing obstacles and impediments
Explanation: Though all aspects mentioned in the options are important, addressing obstacles and impediments is crucial during the re-assessment process to ensure a smooth project flow.
True or False: Re-assessing continually can help in better risk management.
• True
• False
Answer: True
Explanation: Regular re-assessments can help in identifying potential risks early and also in implementing mitigating strategies promptly.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can act as an impediment in a project?
• A. Resource shortage
• B. Communication gap
• C. Unresolved conflicts
• D. All of the above.
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: All of these can act as obstacles and disrupt the smooth execution of a project. Addressing them in time is crucial.
True or False: Continual reassessment is a proactive approach in project management.
• True
• False
Answer: True
Explanation: Continual reassessment helps in identifying and addressing obstacles timely, which is indeed a proactive approach to project management.
As a project manager, you decide to reassess a project half-way through. What key element should this reassessment primarily focus on?
• A. The project timeline
• B. Impediments, obstacles, and blockers
• C. The project success factors
• D. Team’s motivations
Answer: B. Impediments, obstacles, and blockers
Explanation: Although every aspect mentioned in the options are important, identifying, addressing and solving impediments, obstacles and blockers should be the primary focus of re-assessments in the middle of a project.
What is an important goal of frequent reassessments in project management?
• A. Increasing the project’s budget
• B. Enlarging the team size
• C. Identifying obstacles and addressing them promptly
• D. Expanding the project scope
Answer: C. Identifying obstacles and addressing them promptly
Explanation: The key aim of continual reassessment is to detect any potential or existing obstacles and address them without delay to ensure the project’s smooth execution.
Can continual reassessment be seen as a tool for proactive decision-making in project management?
• A. Yes
• B. No
Answer: A. Yes
Explanation: Continual reassessment aids in proactively spotting potential problems or barriers and making informed decisions to manage them effectively, facilitating a smoother project flow.
Great article on continually reassessing for impediments in PMP projects!
Why is it so important to continuously reassess obstacles in project management?
Can anyone share their experience with handling blockers in a PMP project?
This is a very informative post. Appreciate it!
In theory, continuous reassessment sounds good, but how practical is it?
Thanks for sharing this insightful blog post!
I tried reassessing impediments regularly, but it didn’t work well for my team. Any suggestions?
Appreciate the share. It’s crucial to keep reassessing impediments to maintain team efficiency.