You are probably familiar with a situation where everyone will agree a problem exists and a solution needs to be found, but getting all the parties to agree and act in the best way to solving that problem is another matter.
This is a where an ‘Approach Document’ comes in. This document will describe in a considerable amount of detail the ‘What? Why? Who? How? When?’ of the project.
Answering these questions and securing the agreement of all parties to the answers will establish the project on a firm footing.
What?
Project scope and objectives
Why?
Justification – the business case – the financial and risk analysis
Who?
Roles and responsibilities – define clearly individuals’ tasks and what is expected of them including the decision making process for the steering group
How?
The structure and members of the project team
The planning of the project
Project communications – what will be communicated to whom and when
This document can come in other guises such as a Project Charter or Project Initiation Document.
Spending time focusing minds on getting these aspects agreed will ensure a strong start to your project.