Project Management Templates: #PMChat on PM Templates Discussion Recap

Q1) Do you have a set of templates you use/tweak for every project? Which ones make up your tool box? #PMChat

A1 I adapt them for each client, but I do have my standard baseline templates for a number of social media and marketing activities #PMchat

A1 Templates; have developed, used standard, & solution based. Creates consistency, no surprises, common language, ease of use. #pmchat

A1 I guess I assumed we were talking about schedule templates, but definitely use document templates for requirements, etc #pmchat

Process flow templates, RACI (role/responsibility), project phases, etc. #pmchat

Q2) What are the key elements of a communications plan? Anyone want to share theirs, please post #PMChat

A2 Roles, team directory, outline of standard meetings and expectations regarding agendas and availability of meeting notes #pmchat

A2 just worked w/team at @RedboothHQ on outlining launch comm best practices, summarized in this blog post http://redbooth.com/blog/quickstart-guide-to-a-successful-online-collaboration-platform-launch/ ... #PMchat

A2 If you use a communication plan it is also important to keep it up to date with the roles and team members #pmchat

A2 Communication plan should address the 5 w's: who, what, when, where, why & a RACI. Communicate & often & rift audience. #pmchat

Q2) What are the key elements of a communications plan? Anyone want to share theirs, please post #PMChat

Communication templates and best practices were part of our change management process for the projects #pmchat

Q3) Issues vs Risk Logs...do you combine or separate? Why or Why Not? #PMChat

A3 Risk/Issue logs are tracked separately. Risk are tracked & escalated through governance. Issues are tracked/may become risk. #pmchat

Q3) Issues vs Risk Logs...do you combine or separate? Why or Why Not? #PMChat

A3: I keep Risks/Issues together to have less items to manage #pmchat

A3 Project Risks and Issues are best tracked separately in my experience. Issues in log and risks in a matrix with weightings. #pmchat

A3 Culture, industry, project type, governance may guide how risks/issues are managed. Tools are helpful with reporting. #pmchat

What I learned in #PMChat today is as PM's we are very dynamic in our jobs! Each project has a life of its own #pmot #PMChat

Q4) When it comes to status reports...what should be on it? What should be left off...typical waste? #PMChat Again..share away

A4 Performance reports may be for team, sponsor, steering committees. Detail & granularity will be different from team to executive. #pmchat

A4 Project Status Reports: Progress against timeline, issues/risks, escalations, next steps #pmchat

Q4) When it comes to status reports...what should be on it? What should be left off...typical waste? #PMChat Again..share away

A4 if you're keeping your project tasks current in your PM tool, no need for a standalone status report imho #PMchat

Q4) When it comes to status reports...what should be on it? What should be left off...typical waste? #PMChat Again..share away