Project Management

For large NNM installations you need to take advantage of a project manager, the keeper of the schedule. See Figure 16-2 for a sample PERT chart. The project manager (PM) need not be in direct control of the NNM implementation. At a minimum, the PM monitors the schedule, compares it to actual progress, and raises a red flag when an event on the critical path doesn’t complete on time. The PM meets frequently to gather information from team members, developers, installers, the user community, and management. Deliverables such as technical requirements, installation manuals, and training materials are also monitored by the PM.

Project management is both a position and a role. On large NNM implementations, the work can consume most of an individual’s time, so a full-time PM position is needed. On smaller implementations, the NNM project lead can assume the role.