The Project domain framework (PDF): A framework for documenting a project concept into a business case

Abstract

This article discusses the project domain framework (PDF) which was developed as a project management tool to facilitate the documentation of a concept at the initiation phase of a project into a business case. Most importantly, the PDF incorporates measurable results into the business case to facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project results. The PDF development was prompted by the authors’ experiences which often indicated that project champions have challenges in systematically and logically linking project statements to produce a well-articulated business case. Action research strategy was used as the research approach. It involved a synthesis of lessons learnt from client project assignments spanning a period of ten years in Botswana and South Africa. PDF consists of three sub-tools, the project domain map (PDmap), project domain matrix (PDmat) and the project narrative guide (PDnarr). The PDmap systematically guides the design of a project concept and logically links the project components. These are then translated into brief statements which are entered in the PDmat. From the PDmat entries and guided by the PDnarr, a project’s business case is written. The article uses a real-life example as a case study to discuss the application of the PDF.