Almost every non-trivial initiative requires a project plan in order to execute properly: a case requires a project plan; a complex negotiation requires a project plan; all but the most routine transactions require project plans. But first, what is project? A project is a set of well defined tasks that have a beginning, a middle and an end and is focused on achieving a specific objective. A project plan is a map of the territory that guides and informs the project team in their search for "Waldo." Without a project plan the team may indeed find Waldo but such an occurrence is mere happenstance. A project plan increases the probability. A project plan also requires a project manager. That is what we do? We help clients develop and execute plans to achieve technology enabled objectives.
LawTechTV’s (LTTV) project management services are designed to drive project deliverables. At LTTV our project management expertise spans a couple of decades and literally hundreds of projects. We recognize that almost all technology projects are attempting to solve “wicked problems” and that these kinds of problems are not well managed using linear project management methodologies. A “wicked problem” is one that has the following characteristics: 1) You don’t understand the problem until you have developed the solution; (2) Wicked problems have no stopping rule; (3) Solutions to wicked problems are not right or wrong; (4) Every wicked problem is essentially unique and novel; and (5) Every solution to a wicked problem is a “one shot operation.” You can further explore wicked problems in a law firm context by reading Search, KM & the Practice of Law.
Approach & MethodologyOur project management methodology is built upon the foundation of an iterative approach. This is a “feedback centric” as opposed to “task centric” approach. That does not imply an antithesis to project plans and statements of work, quite the contrary. However, it does imply that these planning tools are not sacrosanct.
The essence of our methodology can be summarized as model, prototype and test. Our projects plans are built with this philosophical premise in mind. This approach scales from simple projects to those that are much more complex. In fact, it is even more germane with respect to the latter since more is at stake. The “real time” learning that occurs through the feedback loop is the most effective way to manage project risk. The control mechanism used to ensure feedback occurs is much shorter iterations (1-3 weeks) than are typically found in engineering centric methodologies.
Additional Information
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