Project delivery is the process of completing a project from start to finish. It involves establishing objectives, planning, allocating resources, carrying out tasks, and ensuring the successful completion of a project.
Successful project delivery requires more than just following a plan; it requires clear communication and collaboration between all stakeholders, including team members, sponsors, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Successful project delivery also requires sound project management practices, including risk management, issue resolution, budget, and resource management.
This article will unveil the critical components of successful project delivery.
Components of Successful Project Delivery
Here are the different stages of successful project delivery:
Stage 1: Rough Estimate
A talented account manager will bring your project to life by defining the very essence of your concept and crafting a product that exceeds all expectations with its innovative features and mind-blowing goals. We need to identify these points:
- The target platform for the development
- The number and complexity of features
- The necessity of third-party integrations
- The necessary specifications for the design
- Customer needs that require special attention
After gathering comprehensive information, the account manager produces a preliminary calculation that estimates the development team’s workload for executing your project. The time required for implementing each feature is specified by indicating the minimum and maximum duration.
Next, the team estimates the time and cost needed to develop your app or website, which they will send for your consideration. It’s up to you to decide if you want to keep working with your software provider.
The client must consent to even the initial estimate as part of the approval process. In this phase, modifications and revisions are possible. While creating a rough estimate, additional details may be discovered and incorporated into the project.
Stage 2: Planning Stage
Successful project delivery requires careful planning and preparation. At the start of a project, it is important to have an understanding of the goals and objectives that need to be achieved.
This should include a clear definition of the scope of work, timeline, budget, resources required, and milestones. Also, sharing your vision of the product with your software vendor is critical: will it be a social media app, last-mile delivery software, or finance app?
Once these critical aspects are defined, a project team can be assembled and assigned tasks. Developing a communication plan that outlines how stakeholders will be kept informed throughout the process is also essential.
The best way to communicate with your software development team is regular meetings 2-3 times a week. Now let’s define and analyze the most critical parts of the planning stage:
1. Specifications
Specifications serve the purpose of documenting the characteristics of a project. Specifically, the required range of functions that need to be created.
Specifications not only detail technical aspects but also outline interface specifics. The documents comprehensively explain a user’s journey, including their actions and corresponding on-screen responses.
Specifications offer details about the different stages of project development and related information.
2. Wireframes
Wireframes visually represent the intended user interface (UI) without focusing on aesthetic details. They help designers and developers create a visual roadmap for their work, allowing them to identify areas for improvement or iteration quickly.
Wireframing also helps stakeholders view the structure of a product before any development has taken place. This will enable teams to communicate ideas more clearly and avoid potential misunderstandings during later stages of development.
Wireframes can be designed using various tools, such as Sketch, Figma, or InVisionApp, making them easy to incorporate into any project workflow. By providing clarity early in the design process and helping teams stay organized throughout the build-out process, wireframes can be essential components of successful project delivery.
3. Detailed estimate
The final stage of the planning process is creating a detailed estimate. This type of estimate provides an accurate assessment of a project’s scope, cost, and timeline.
It is a crucial document as it serves as a reference point for all stakeholders throughout the project’s life cycle. With this estimate in hand, decision-makers have the necessary information to make informed decisions on how to move forward with the work.
Furthermore, it helps ensure the project remains on schedule and within budget.
What are the methods for managing the work during this phase?
Before proceeding to the next step, each of the previous ones is confirmed with you. The planning stage is necessary because customers may have new suggestions that could be difficult to implement later.
Effective planning can reduce miscommunications and facilitate the successful execution of a project according to your desired specifications. Upon completion of the stage, you will be informed of all estimated data and possess all relevant documents that have been prepared. It is up to you if you want to keep working with us.
Stage 3: Signing a Contract
A contractual agreement is signed upon proceeding with our services beyond the planning phase, and work commences. The contract outlines the customer-supplier interaction, work terms, order fulfillment, termination conditions, and other relevant details.
Additionally, selecting a pricing model and signing an NDA agreement may be required during this stage. This phase signifies the final step before project development.
Stage 4: Project Development
After completing the necessary paperwork and finalizing the contract, the project commences. The PM picks a method and builds a team for software development.
Scrum is usually the best choice. This innovative approach to development breaks the process into exhilarating sprints, paving the way for success at every turn. In just two weeks, our team sprints towards success by implementing and testing a specific part of our functionality!
Exploring the Scrum software development methodology: its definition and functioning.
Multiple cycles are present at this particular stage.
1. Planning
The PM discusses technical aspects with the project team and strategizes the development process.
2. Design
The UI/UX design is created by our designers and is based on the wireframes that you have approved. It is common practice for designers to complete their work before the commencement of coding by developers.
Concurrent programming may be necessary in a time-constrained situation. We provide multiple design options with color schemes, typefaces, and icons. Your approval of one is essential before proceeding.
3. Development
Our team of developers follows the chosen methodology to build your product for mobile and web platforms. In developing the project, holding one or two weekly meetings is standard.
How to control the work at this stage?
Following every sprint, a report and demonstration of the project are submitted. The successful implementation of documented specifications determines the completion of a sprint.
If there are any problems, we will address them. The client’s approval is necessary for each sprint. The upcoming sprint requires your approval before proceeding.
Stage 5: Release and App Store Submission
The website will be released upon completion of the development process, and the application will be submitted to the appropriate app store.
We’ll keep your product under lock and key, but fear not! We’ll provide you with the source code in a secure repository or deliver it to you in a top-secret archive. Your secrets are safe with us!
We test the product before release to ensure it’s ready for submission. We switched from test accounts to production accounts and prepared all necessary materials for app store publishing, including screenshots and descriptions, which you approved.
The app submission process for Google Play typically takes around 48 hours, while Apple’s App Store generally reviews requests within 3 to 5 days.
When is the Project Considered Completed?
A project contract is deemed completed when all parties have fulfilled their contractual obligations. This includes delivering and accepting the agreed-upon outcomes, such as design, development, testing, and implementation.
Additionally, any payments or other financial obligations associated with the project must be paid in full before the contract can be completed. The successful completion of a project is typically marked by a sign-off from all stakeholders and confirmation that all deliverables have been met.
Conclusion
Successful project delivery is dependent upon a variety of factors. These include fulfilling all contractual obligations, completing the agreed-upon works, and paying any associated financial commitments.
When these components are successfully managed, a project contract can be marked as complete, and a sign-off from all stakeholders can be achieved.
Project success is also heavily reliant on accurate teamwork and communication. Clear lines of contact should be established with all stakeholders to ensure that any changes or issues are addressed on time.
It is also essential for team members to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities and what is expected from them to achieve successful project delivery. In addition, project managers must have a good grasp of project management techniques to ensure the product is completed on time and within budget.
Finally, successful project delivery is dependent upon solid risk management practices. Project managers should be aware of the potential risks associated with project development and create a plan to mitigate those risks.
This includes identifying possible issues, assessing the likely impacts, and developing solutions for each subject.
Yuliya Melnik is a technical writer at Cleveroad. It is a web and mobile app development company in Ukraine. She is passionate about innovative technologies that make the world a better place and loves creating content that evokes vivid emotions.