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Sizing Your Project

What type of project are you undertaking?

Please refer to the table below to determine which category best describes your project. Use the "method recommended to manage your work" as a guide to the appropriate level of project management rigor to apply. Click on the link provided to access project management templates.

	Work Request	Project	Large Project
Effort	< 320 hours	320-2,000 hours	> 2000 hours
IT Coordination	All work can be accomplished within one group in IT Services	Requires coordination among 2-4 groups within IT Services	Requires coordination among four or more groups within IT Services
Duration	< 6 months	6-12 months	> 12 months
Campus Impact	Single functional area	Two functional areas	Project will impact multiple departments or groups on campus (e.g., will need extensive campus readiness and communication)
Complexity	Easily understood problem and the solution is readily achievable	Either difficult to understand problem, solution unclear or solution difficult to achieve	Complex problem or solution
Vendor Involvement	None	Project assessment may involve contracting with an outside vendor	Project implementation involves contracting with a new vendor
Dependencies	No major dependencies or inter-related projects	Some major dependencies or interrelated projects but considered low risk	Major high risk dependencies or interrelated projects
Timeframe	Schedule is flexible	Schedule can undergo minor variations but deadlines are firm	Deadline is fixed and cannot be changed, schedule has no room for flexibility
Method Recommended to Manage the Work	Departmental Department Lead should approve the level of project management methodology to be applied	Basic Project Management Use ITS PMO recommended artifacts. Simple governance. Informal gate process.	Full Project Management The ITS PMO, in collaboration with the Project Manager, will determine the appropriate artifacts for the project. Artifacts will be reviewed for qualityand continuing relevance at each Phase Gate.
Project Management Prerequisites	Basic project management experience	Proven project management experience	Extensive project management experience, managing multiple, complex projects across multiple functions