Chapter 8: Developing the Project Plan

Question: 'How do you eat an elephant?'

Answer: 'One bite at a time'

8.1 WHAT IS A PROJECT PLAN?

A project plan is a guideline for successfully completing a project. A project plan has a beginning and an end as well measurable deliverables. It is an overview for the project scope. It can take many forms, from an extensive document to a simple overview of methodology or budget and task list. A plan means control. Without a plan, you do not have control of a project. No plan, no control.

8.1.1 Things to Consider When Developing the Project Plan

Critical steps in putting together a successful project plan

• Who will be implementing the plan, i.e. doing the work

  • Buy in, skill set, authority, resources, etc

• Management and user buy in

  • Management sets priorities and controls resources

  • Users are the ones most affected by the plans requirements

Due Care and Due Diligence

• Need to use best practices and common sense

• You can not secure everything 100%

• Getting others involved

  • Critical to project success, must get others involved, make them part of the project

  • Awareness and training, what is in it for them

  • Selling the benefits of the project

• Getting sign off

• Consider your organizational structure and how best to implement HIPAA Security, for example are you:

  • a hospital with different departments and outside vendors

  • a practice with many semi-autonomous clinics

  • an insurance company with 1000s of clients

  • a doctors office with outside vendors

  • a business associate that does not have to be HIPAA compliant but wants to be

  • Etc