When development projects need to be kept on track – this is how you ensure the right results
You have decided to launch a new website or digital service. Now the development work begins – and with it come new questions, new priorities and new choices. The organisation’s needs must be balanced against technical constraints, the budget, the timetable and available resources. At the same time, communications, IT, the business and suppliers need to work towards the same goal.
This is often where the biggest challenges arise.
Project management and client support help you keep everything on track and ensure that the development project continues to create value – all the way from decision to delivery.
Digital projects rarely fail because of the technology
Most web projects are carried out by competent people with good intentions. Yet it sometimes happens that the result does not live up to expectations.
Common causes are: The problem is rarely the technology. The problem is more often that different parts of the organisation have different perceptions of the goal.
- Unclear requirements
- Conflicting priorities
- Lack of consensus between different stakeholders
- Misunderstandings between the business and the supplier
- Decisions taken without sufficient supporting information
A link between the business, communications, IT and the supplier
During the development phase, many perspectives need to work together: Project management and client support are about creating a shared understanding between these perspectives – so that the project can make better decisions along the way.
- The business wants to achieve its goals
- The communications department wants to create value for users
- IT is responsible for technology, security and management
- The supplier needs to understand what the organisation actually wants to achieve
The aim is not just to deliver on time. The aim is to deliver the right solution.
What does client support involve in a web project?
Client support involves representing the organisation’s interests throughout the entire development process. The role acts as a bridge between the business’s needs and the supplier’s solutions.
The work may, for example, include:
- Support for project owners and the steering group
- Coordination between business operations, communications and IT
- Requirements management and prioritisation
- Monitoring of deliverables and quality
- Dialogue with developers and suppliers
- Identification and management of risks
- Support for decision-making and choosing the right course of action
- Quality assurance against the project’s objectives
What does project management for web projects involve?
Every assignment is different, but common elements include: Project management is tailored to the organisation’s needs and can be combined with a feasibility study, procurement or strategic consultancy.
- Planning and coordination of the project
- Monitoring of the timetable, budget and quality
- Facilitation of meetings and workshops
- Documentation and decision-making support
- Support for internal project teams
- Coordination of suppliers and external resources
- Monitoring of requirements and business objectives
The results of well-executed project management
Well-executed project management contributes to: When everyone is working towards the same goal, the likelihood that the project will deliver the value the organisation expects increases.
- Clearer priorities
- Better decision-making
- Fewer misunderstandings
- More effective collaboration
- Reduced risk of costly rework
- Greater business benefit
- Higher quality in the final solution
When is external project management needed?
External project management or client support is particularly valuable when: In these situations, an independent party can contribute structure, experience and a clear focus on the organisation’s objectives.
- The organisation lacks its own experience of major web projects
- The communications department has limited time or capacity
- Several departments need to collaborate
- An external supplier is responsible for development
- The project is business-critical
- There are high standards for quality, security or accessibility
From development project to business value
Ultimately, project management is not about timetables or status meetings. It is about ensuring that the organisation’s objectives are translated into a working solution.
When the business, communications, IT and the supplier share the same understanding of the objective, it becomes easier to make the right decisions and create long-term value.
Frequently asked questions about project management and client support
What does a project manager do in a web project?
The project manager coordinates the work between the business, communications, IT and suppliers. The role ensures that the project stays on track towards its set objectives and that important issues are dealt with in a timely manner.
What is the difference between project management and client support?
Project management focuses on driving the project forward. Client support focuses on representing the organisation’s interests, ensuring that requirements are understood and that the solution meets the business’s needs.
When should external project management be brought in?
External project management is often valuable when the organisation lacks its own capacity or experience of larger web projects and digital development.
How does project management reduce risks in a web project?
Through clear coordination, better requirements management and ongoing monitoring, the risk of misunderstandings, delays and costly rework is reduced.
Can project management act as a link between communications and IT?
Yes. An important part of the role is to create a shared understanding between the business, communications, IT and suppliers – so that the project can make better decisions and work towards common goals.
Photo
Brooke Cagle, Unsplash.