Have you ever been in a situation where you were asked to take over a project partway through its development? Perhaps the original project manager left the company, or maybe they were reassigned to another project. Whatever the reason, taking over a project can be a daunting task. Suddenly you’re responsible for something someone else has been working on for months, and you have no idea where to start.
Don’t worry! We’re here to help you. Below are some questions you should ask to get the full picture. With these questions, you’ll be able to hit the ground running and ensure that the project is completed successfully.
49 Questions that will help you get a handle on a new project you’ve been tasked with:
- What’s the goal of the project?
- What’s the timeline for the project?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- Who’s the sponsor?
- Who’s the project manager?
- Who are the team members?
- What skills and knowledge do the team members bring to the table?
- Who’s the customer/client?
- What are their needs and expectations?
- Have these needs changed since the project began?
- What’s the budget for the project?
- What risks have been identified?
- What assumptions have been made?
- What constraints have been identified?
- What has been accomplished so far?
- What still needs to be done?
- Are there any deliverables that haven’t yet been completed?
- When was the last time the project was updated?
- What’s the scope of the project?
- What’s the Statement of Work (SOW) for this project?
- What deliverables are expected?
- What lessons were learned from previous projects that can be applied here?
- What’s the project schedule?
- What’s the project’s current status?
- Who are the project’s major suppliers?
- What could possibly go wrong?
- What are the stakeholder expectations?
- How will success be measured?
- Are there any red flags I should be aware of?
- What do I need to do to set myself up for success?
- Who can I turn to if I need help?
- What constraints exist for the project?
- What dependencies are there on other projects or teams?
- What communication channels will be used for updates and reports?
- Who needs to be informed of the project’s progress?
- How are changes to scope, schedule, or budget communicated and approved?
- What can be done to ensure that the project is completed on time, on budget, and that all objectives are met?
- Are there existing templates or tools that can be used for this project?
- Are there regulatory requirements that must be met?
- What external factors could affect this project?
- What internal factors could impact this project?
- What format will project documentation be delivered in?
- Who will be responsible for quality control?
- How often will team meetings be held?
- How will deliverables be reviewed before being shared with the client?
- How will user feedback be collected and incorporated into future iterations of the project?
- Is there a plan in place for post-launch maintenance and support?
- Is there additional documentation that I should review?
- Is there anything else I should know about this project?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you evaluate an existing project?
When evaluating an existing project, it’s important to consider several factors. Key considerations include the scope and goals of the project, whether it’s been completed in the past, and how it aligns with the overall goals of your organization or team.
You should also evaluate the effectiveness of the resources and tools used in the project, as well as any challenges or obstacles encountered during implementation.
Evaluating an existing project requires careful thought and consideration of all aspects of the project’s development process. By considering these factors, you can gain valuable insight into what worked well, what could be improved on future projects, and how you can best move forward with your team’s work.
What should be included in a project transition plan?
Project transition plans are important to ensure that a project is completed and handed off to the appropriate stakeholders. For a transition plan to be effective, it should include information about the goals and objectives of the project, as well as any anticipated challenges and obstacles that may arise during the transition process.
It should outline the roles and responsibilities of each team member involved in the project transition, as well as potential risks and contingency strategies to address them.
Finally, a good project transition plan should include timelines and milestones to track progress toward completion, as well as clear communication channels to keep everyone informed throughout the process.
Conclusion
Asking these questions will give you a better understanding of the project you’re taking on and what still needs to be done. It’s also a good opportunity to build rapport with the previous project manager and show that you’re invested in seeing the project through. So don’t be afraid to ask questions and good luck with your new project!
