Constraints and Assumption: Requirements are often created based on assumptions. List the assumptions and constraints from your requirements list. Hint: You can get leads from your SWOT analysis that you did in your previous project assignment. Write at least one sentence for each constraint and assumption by identifying and explaining each. Possible examples of assumption and constraints may include: Business rules – international and domestic Secure payment gateway High resolution pictures for photo frame (company or outsourced) Provisions for feedback and review Project Assumptions Definition Before starting a new project, executives and other senior stakeholders must agree upon assumptions and produce a shared understanding of project success. This will reduce project failure rate and provide a foundation for developing risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans. Project Assumptions are those events and circumstances that are expected to occur during the project life-cycle for successful implementation and completion. Although assumptions are the driving force that determines to project success, typically they’re outside the total control of the project team. Project assumptions are accepted as true, often without any proof or demonstration. Project Constraints Definition Any project is managed under a set of clear-cut constraints, and they need to be defined from the very beginning of the project. If the senior stakeholders clearly understand limitations of the project environment (such as due dates, funding, skill levels, resource availability etc.) under which the activities are to be performed, they will do a better job for ensuring project success and developing a well-grounded implementation plan. In this context, Project Constraints are any events or circumstances that may restrict, limit, or regulate a project. Just like assumptions, typical project constraints are outside the total control of the project team. Checklist Here’s a typical 4-step checklist for setting project management assumptions and constraints: 1. Assumptions. You’ll need to make a brief and clear-cut description of any project assumptions related to business, people, technology, expectations, or schedules. Then make a list of those assumptions and share it with the senior team for approval. 2. Constraints. You will need to make a description of the major limitations impacting the project. Your description must include timelines, resource availability, funding, and other important factors that affect project success. 3. Dependencies. It’s important to determine a link between project assumptions and constraints and then set any major dependencies between the characteristics. Once it’s done, you’ll need to make a full description of the dependencies and use it in developing the project plan. 4. Adjustment. If project assumptions and constraints are invalidated or they are likely to be modified later, then you’ll need to adjust the activities and estimates listed in your project plan accordingly. Sample assumptions and constraints tend to exist around project resource availability or competence. That’s why, when developing a description of assumptions and constraints, try to consider project cost, timing, and humanrelated issues. It’ll be one of the first steps during the initiation phase. Once identified and agreed, sample assumptions and constraints in project management will be the foundation for managing unknowns and uncertainties – this is all about risk management. Project Success Constraints 1) Timeframes and Deadlines a) Timeframes and deadlines can possibly not be met or delayed due to lack of resources. 2) Funding a) There is a limitation on the budget for this project which could impact many factors such as the deadline for completion. 3) Resources a) The company doesn’t currently have an in-house IT department that can assist with the day to day requirements of managing an ecommerce site and system database. 4) Quality a) Getting the best quality can increase the cost and impact the timeline. 5) Legal a) Laws and contract agreements can impact the project as well as the timeline. Assumptions 1) Training a) All staff must be trained on the new system to be able to assist customers. 1) Schedule a) All deadlines must be met to assure the site is up and running by the agreed upon due date. This will include all necessary contracts with outside vendors to be signed, all legal documents filed, and staff hired and trained to assist with customer service. 2) Resources a) Make sure staff is hired and trained and ready to test the site before the due date. 3) Customers a) Advertisement needs to all customers past and present to assure the site gets the expected traffic on it’s first day of being launched. 4) Partners and Vendors a) Make sure the payment vendors are aware of the new site and to assure they are setup to accept payments for purchased orders through the new site. 5) Finances a) Agreed upon funding is available to complete the project.
