Crystal Reports Administration: Project Scope

So, you are now in charge of developing Crystal Reports in your company. How do you figure out what should go into those reports?

One way is to ask everybody, come up with a wish list, and satisfy it. That way, everyone gets what they want. But, this is a wasteful approach.

Instead, let's take a page from the project management handbook (not that there really is one, but bear with us, here). Here is the proper sequence of steps to make a Crystal Reports project meet its deadline with the most efficient use of resources:

1. Define the overall goal of the project. What, for example, do the users really want to find out? Do they want to know sales trends? Do they want to be able to compare last quarter's orders to next quarter's budget? Find out what the mission is, first.
2. Develop a list of major steps needed to meet the mission. Project managers do this by developing a Work Breakdown Structure. Don't forget to define the report parameters, at this stage.
3. Develop a list of the resources needed to perform those steps needed to meet the mission.
4. Go back to those who defined the mission, and have them either commit the resources or change the mission. Don't forget to include input data as a resource.

For Crystal Reports tools that will help you meet your mission, click here.

For project management courses that will show you how to be an outstanding project manager, click here.

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