Assessment of the project

Assessment of the project
See also
Evaluation of the project Measures of success Evaluation of project Measures of project success Levels of satisfaction Project business case Project evaluation Monitoring and control Status of the project

Project assessment is the process of evaluating a project's performance and progress in relation to its objectives and milestones. It includes identification and evaluation of risks, successes and areas for improvement. Assessment involves evaluating the performance of the project manager, project team, and stakeholders; critically analysing the project scope, schedule, budget, and quality; and analysing the effectiveness of project communication, the level of stakeholder engagement, and the impact of external factors. It also looks at the effectiveness of the project management process, the quality of the deliverables, and the impact the project has had on the organisation.

Example of assessment of the project

• Project Assessment Example 1: An IT project team is responsible for developing a new software for an organization. The team leader is tasked with assessing the performance of the project against the objectives and milestones. The assessment process includes reviewing the project plan, budget, timeline, and quality of deliverables. The assessment also looks at the level of stakeholder engagement, project communication, and the effectiveness of the project management process.
• Project Assessment Example 2: A construction project is underway and the project manager is required to assess the progress of the project against the objectives and milestones. The assessment includes evaluating the performance of the project team, the effectiveness of the project management process, and the quality of the deliverables. The assessment also looks at the impact of external factors, the level of stakeholder engagement, and the impact the project has had on the organisation.

Best practices of assessment of the project

1. Establish Clear Objectives: The first step in assessing a project is to ensure that the project has clear objectives and measurable goals. Without clear objectives, it is difficult to measure the success of the project or identify areas of improvement.
2. Monitor Progress: Regular monitoring of the project's progress is essential to assess its performance. This can be done by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as budget, timeline, and quality.
3. Conduct Reviews: Regular reviews of the project should be conducted to identify areas of improvement and identify any potential risks. Reviews should involve both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all perspectives are taken into account.
4. Collect and Analyse Data: Collecting data on the project's performance is important to assess its success. This data can be used to identify areas of improvement and areas that need more attention.
5. Assess Risks: Assessing the risks associated with the project is essential to ensure that the project remains on track. This can be done by identifying potential risks, evaluating their potential impacts, and developing strategies to mitigate them.
6. Evaluate Stakeholder Engagement: Assessing stakeholder engagement is important to ensure that the project is progressing according to their expectations. This can be done by evaluating the level of communication, the type of feedback received, and the level of buy-in from stakeholders.
7. Review Results: Reviewing the results of the project is essential to identify areas of improvement and to ensure that the project has met its objectives. This can be done by evaluating the quality of the deliverables, the effectiveness of the project management process, and the impact the project has had on the organisation.

Types of assessment of the project

Project assessment can be divided into three main types:

• Quantitative assessment - This type of assessment relies on numerical data and quantitative indicators to measure the success of a project. This assessment looks at the project's scope, budget, timeline, and quality to determine if it is meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Qualitative assessment - This assessment involves evaluating the effectiveness of the project management process, the quality of the deliverables, and the impact the project has had on the organisation. It looks at factors such as the project team's communication and collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and the impact of external factors.
• Outcome assessment - This type of assessment evaluates the project's impact on the organisation. It looks at the success of the project in relation to its objectives and milestones, as well as the benefits it has brought to the organisation.

Limitations of assessment of the project

Project assessment is an important process for evaluating the progress and performance of a project, however it is not without its limitations. These include:

• Subjectivity: Project assessment relies on subjective opinions, which can lead to inaccurate results.
• Lack of Context: Assessments may lack the context needed to make informed decisions about the project.
• Limited Data: Assessments are often based on limited data, making it difficult to accurately measure project performance.
• Cost: Project assessments can be costly and time consuming.
• Bias: Assessments can be biased based on the assessor's personal opinion.
• Inaccurate Results: Assessments may lead to inaccurate results due to limited data and subjective opinions.

Other approaches related to assessment of the project

In addition to the process of project assessment described above, there are several other approaches that can be used to assess the performance of a project. These include:

• Benchmarking – comparing the project's performance against similar projects in the same industry or sector. This helps to identify areas where the project has done well and areas that need improvement.
• Process mapping – this involves mapping out the project's process and activities in order to identify any inefficiencies or areas for improvement.
• Quality assurance – this involves assessing the quality of the project's deliverables and processes to ensure that they meet the specified requirements.
• Risk management – this involves assessing the risks associated with the project and how they can be managed or mitigated.
• Cost/benefit analysis – this involves assessing the financial benefits and costs associated with the project to determine the overall return on investment.

In summary, there are several approaches that can be used to assess the performance of a project, such as benchmarking, process mapping, quality assurance, risk management, and cost/benefit analysis. These approaches can help to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the project is meeting its objectives.

Suggested literature

• Qureshi, T. M., Warraich, A. S., & Hijazi, S. T. (2009). Significance of project management performance assessment (PMPA) model. International Journal of Project Management, 27(4), 378-388.