Project documentation
Project documentation is essential as it ensures that all the project requirements are fulfilled and it ensures that what has been done throughout the project can be traced. Project documentation can be done in two ways, first, it can be done after achieving evert milestone and second it can be done after completing the whole project. While both ways are important, I think project documentation after achieving every milestone is the best option. this is because it enhances the accuracy of the information, it makes it easy and less confusing to document. Every milestone marks an achievement in the project, therefore documenting this after every milestone makes it more efficient. It also helps realize the changes that need to be made for the success of the project early enough. Documentation of the project after every milestone also helps keep track of the project’s progress, hence keeping all the stakeholders updated.
There are four different types of performance reporting in project management. They include; the status report, the progress report, the trend report and earned value reports. The status report summarizes the project’s progress against the projected plan of the project. The audience of this report is the stakeholders as it informs them of the progress of the project. This report is used after every milestone, to track the progress of the project. The progress report documents what has been accomplished since the last report. It shows how far the project is from completion, including the milestones reached, and the activities carried out. the audience for this report is the project managers and the investors. This report is used after every quarter. The trend report compares the current performance of the project to the previous one during the same period. The audience of the report is the project team, the project sponsors and the project managers. This report is made annually, semi-annually or quarterly. Finally, the earned value reports measure the project’s progress at any time, while forecasting the completion dates and completion cost. The audience for this is the investors, the project team and the project managers. These reports can be developed any time within the timeline of the project and can also be used at any time.