A project's readiness for the Construction phase is largely determined by what happened in the Elaboration phase. In some respects, the shift from the Elaboration phase to the Construction phase is subtle. In other respects, it is a major change in emphasis. Simply stated, during Elaboration, risk reduction is emphasized. This task is accomplished through choosing a suitable architecture for the system and testing it by implementing the requirements that affect the architecture. The project is ready to move into the Construction phase after the following two things happen:
Staffing-wise, Construction is the phase in which the bulk of the product funds and resources are consumed. If the project is truly ready for the Construction phase, the team will settle into a smooth, rhythmic pattern, somewhat resembling an assembly line. If the project and team are not ready for Construction, they lose forward momentum while their "burn rate" (the rate at which money and resources are being consumed) is at its highest. This is a difficult situation from which to recover. Although the architecture is perhaps the most significant risk that must be mitigated during Elaboration, it is by no means the only risk. For example, is the project infrastructure ready to support the Construction phase? Is the entire team in place, and have they received any applicable training? What about the software development environment and associated tools? Assessing Project Readiness for Construction: ChecklistsWhen the project is believed to be approaching the end of the Elaboration phase, it is useful to hold a group meeting. The people in the following roles should be present:
The key topic of the meeting is to determine whether the objectives and exit criteria of the Elaboration phase have been reached. During the meeting, discuss the items in the following checklists. Checklist for the Product in Development
Checklist for the Project Environment and Staffing
Checklist for the Customer
These checklists are not exhaustive, but they cover the major areas. The importance of performing a thorough, accurate self-assessment cannot be overemphasized. Resist the temptation to plunge into the Construction phase until you know the status of these issues. |