When you hand over one of your most important projects to a Project management services company, you always feel the pressure of it. The apprehension is justified too, because IT Project management is a bit different and complex as compared to other project managements. You want to be sure it’s planned out before it's started, but you’re not quite sure where to begin, and you’re always under pressure of getting the results. Here are some questions discussed that you must ask to be sure that your project is on the right track.

What is the Purpose of my Project?

Before you assign your project to a Project management services company, get a clear and complete picture of its significance. Determine the following:
What situation led to your project?
Who had the original idea?
Who else hopes to benefit from it?
What would happen if your project weren’t done?

An accurate appreciation of your project’s purpose can lead to better plans, a greater sense of team-member commitment, and improved performance.

Whom Do I Need to Involve?

Knowing early whom you need to involve allows you to plan for their participation at the appropriate times. Involving these people in a timely manner ensures their input will be available when it’s needed and lets them know that you value and respect their contributions.

As you determine who may play a role in your project’s success, categorize them as follows:

Drivers: People looking for your project’s results.
Supporters: People who can help your project succeed.
Observers: People interested in your project.
After you have this comprehensive list, decide whom to involve and when and how you want to involve them.

What Results Will be produced?

Specify all the outcomes you expect your project to produce. Be sure that you describe clearly each product, service, or impact; make the outcomes measurable and include performance targets.

What Constraints Must be Satisfied?

Identify all information, processes, and guidelines that may restrict your project activities and your performance. Distinguish between the following:

Limitations: Restrictions that people outside your project team set.
Needs: Restrictions that you and the project team members establish.
When you know your constraints, then the IT Project management team can plan to minimize their effect on your project.

What Assumptions Are You Making?

As soon as you begin thinking about the project, document all assumptions about its key information because each of these assumptions leads to one or more project risks that you may choose to plan for in advance. Continue adding to your list of assumptions as you develop the parts of your plan.

Update your plans whenever an assumption changes or you find out its actual value.

Who Will Perform the Project Work?

Knowing who will perform each task and how much effort they’ll have to devote allows you to plan for their availability and more accurately estimate the overall project budget. Specify the following information for all people who need to work on your project:
Identify each person by name, by position description or title, or by the skills and knowledge required to do the assignment.

When more than one person must work on the same activity, describe the specific roles and how these people can coordinate their efforts.

Specify the level of effort each person has to invest.
Consult with the people who’ll perform the project tasks to develop this information.