Selecting Project Team and Finalizing Project Plan for CMDB Project
Your project team should consist of:
»» Dedicated project team members: These people will be dedicated to this project
from the outset through completion.
»» Subject matter experts: You will need these specialists to support certain tasks of the
project. For example, you might need an expert to help build the ROI or to help identify
governance requirements. In addition, you may need someone from the information
security team when applications and technologies are being selected, or a solutions
architect to help write the RFP.
For this CMDB project, your dedicated project team members will come from a small, select
group, and you should consider the following:
»» Future CMDB owners: To ensure consistency after implementing your CMDB, include
a representative from the team that will ultimately manage and maintain the CMDB.
»» Skills, knowledge, and experience: Look for representatives that have extensive skills
related to building and implementing databases. Also seek representatives who have knowledge
of asset management and other ITIL processes.
If the project team will consist of external resources, a prerequisite should be that at least one of them has built and implemented a CMDB.
»» Workload: Much of the workload will occur in the middle stages when you build and
populate the CMDB. Consider other workload commitments when selecting dedicated
project team members.
These characteristics are easier to identify when you add the resources required to perform
the stages, steps, and tasks listed in the project plan
| STAGE, STEP, OR TASK NAME | Resource Group |
| Will include names of group supplying resources for each stage, step and task. |
From these resource groups, identify potential dedicated and subject matter expert project team
members. Consult with them or with their managers concerning theiravailability to help finalize
the project plan. Assuming they are available, they can help identify the workload and the target
start and end times. If they are not available, then the project manager must perform these
calculations and estimates. Either way, start by identifying the workload
Work includes number of hours required to complete each Stage, Step, and Task. Ref Table 1
Next, the project manager, with the help of the potential project team members, will need to
add the target start and finish dates for the stages, steps, and tasks. Keep in mind
that these dates might be affected by a scheduled delivery date of the new CMDB.
Start includes target start date for each Stage, Step and Task. Ref Table 1
Finish includes target finish date for each Stage, Step and Task. Ref Table 1
In addition to subject matter experts and project team members, you will need to talk with
the business to identify business needs.
Don’t forget to identify all relevant governance requirements and address them in your
project plan.
Once the resources, workloads, and start and finish dates have been identified, the project
manager should seek approval from the managers of the potential project team members for
their staff to work on the project. The project manager might need to perform some skilled
negotiating, but the necessary levels of staff are important. Appropriate resources will help
you complete the project on time and meet all of the project’s objectives. If you use outside
resources, then the project manager will have all of the data to negotiate with confidence.
Finalize Project Plan
Finally, note the estimated cost of the workload forecast for the project
Cost includes the cost of the resources for each Stage, Step and Task. Ref Table 1
This estimated cost represents the cost (number of hours x average hourly rate) of performing
the actions required to complete the project on time and to meet the project’s objectives and goals.
It is not the cost of the tools and technologies that may be required to implement the CMDB.
The basic project plan should now be complete.
The project manager should now present the project plan to the PEB for approval. If the PEB
asks for some changes to the project plan, then the project manager should integrate these
changes and resubmit the project plan for approval.
Summary
So in this step, you will select a project team that has the required skills, experience, and
knowledge to justify, design, and implement a CMDB that meets all of the other goals
The team’s capabilities should include not only technical and configuration management skills but also project design and project management skills.
This step focuses on what you need to do to get started on your CMDB project, including
selecting a project manager and project team. This step, while rudimentary, is critical to your
CMDB project and cannot be ignored. A skilled and well-managed project team will greatly
increase your ability to create a successful CMDB.
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