COMPETENCE 22: INTEGRATED PLANNING
The ability to take forward the definition of outputs into detailed planning, incorporating multiple areas into the integrated project management plan.
Introduction
Integrated planning involves collating a suite of plans and processes to support a change initiative to create an integrated plan (commonly referred to as the project management plan). Its size, format and content may vary according to the complexity of a change initiative. The intention is that it captures the fundamental components of scope, quality, time, cost, resources, risks and issues, communication, success and completion criteria and benefits management.
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KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of formats for integrated plans.
APPLICATION
Comply with organisational practice when establishing the structure and format of an effective integrated plan.
Consider:
- The chosen life cycle approach.
- The governance in place for a change initiative and any overarching reporting requirements that may influence the structure of the plan.
- Ways to gain commitment from stakeholders to the approach to planning.
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KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the purpose of an integrated plan.
APPLICATION
Consider constraints, assumptions, dependencies and governance arrangements when creating an integrated plan, including other relevant plans and documentation.
Consider:
- The relationship between the business case, the priority of a change initiative and the integrated plan.
- The need to associate the integrated plan with those of other change initiatives.
- The requirements and the methods that can be used to determine the constraints and applicable risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies (RAIDs).
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KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the typical components of an integrated plan.
APPLICATION
Create an integrated plan which balances the fundamental components of that plan to meet the requirements of a change initiative and ensure formal acceptance of the plan.
Consider:
- The governance that exists in terms of tools, techniques and templates, and arrangements for review.
- Ways in which the integrated plan can be presented to stakeholders to gain acceptance and formal sign-off.
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KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of monitoring techniques.
APPLICATION
Continually monitor the progress of a change initiative against the integrated plan.
Consider:
- The governance and controls in place.
- The data collection and reporting in place to inform progress.
- The agreed contingencies and process for release/approval of these.
- Ways to gain and sustain stakeholder engagement and approval.
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KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of ways to update integrated plans.
APPLICATION
Adjust an integrated plan using a change control process.
Consider:
- The use of data to inform any actions and potential impact on an integrated plan.
- The governance process to control change.
- Ways to communicate the impact of a change to stakeholders.