Project Point of Departure

When to use Project Point of Departure

Use this method at the beginning of a project to establish a common understanding of the project's purpose, desired outcomes, target audience, roles, milestones, and success criteria.

What it solves

Lack of shared understanding at project kickoff, leading to misaligned efforts and wasted time.

How to run Project Point of Departure, step by step

1. Gather the project team and conduct a brief check-in to ensure everyone is present and focused. (5 minutes)
2. Explain the purpose of the workshop: to create a clear structure and direction for the project. Emphasize that it will be fast and focused. (2 minutes)
3. Create a 'Parking Lot' to capture off-topic points for later discussion. (3 minutes)
4. Agree on a total time for the exercise and divide it equally among the eight questions. Assign roles (scribe, timekeeper) or take them yourself. (5 minutes)
5. Present each question and facilitate a focused discussion, capturing the answers. (60-90 minutes)
6. Assign someone to compile the answers into a shareable digital document. (5 minutes)
7. Give the project lead a chance to clarify any points. (5 minutes)
8. Conclude with a check-out, asking each person what their next action is related to the project. (5 minutes)

Materials needed

• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers
• Timer
• Digital document (e.g., Google Docs, Word)
• Project Point of Departure questions (printed or written)

Facilitator tips

• Keep the discussion focused by gently redirecting tangents to the 'Parking Lot'.
• Encourage concise answers to maintain momentum.
• Actively listen and summarize key points to ensure understanding.

Common pitfalls

• Spending too much time on a single question: Stick to the allotted time for each question.
• Getting bogged down in details: Focus on the high-level overview.
• Lack of participation: Encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts.

Variations

• Use a voting system (e.g., dot voting) to prioritize options for each question.
• Conduct the exercise individually first, then share and discuss the answers as a group.
• Adapt the questions to fit the specific needs of the project.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared online whiteboard like Miro or Mural, or a collaborative document like Google Docs, to capture responses to each question. Encourage participants to use non-verbal cues (e.g., hand-raising in Zoom) to indicate they want to speak.

What it produces

A concise digital document outlining the project's purpose, outcomes, target group, roles, milestones, how the team will work, success/failure criteria, and connections to other projects.

Origin

Adapted from Hyper Island — source

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