Delivery Production & Resource Allocation Guideline

Department

Delivery

Table of Contents


Purpose

This guideline defines how Kiluth runs delivery execution after project activation: estimation, work visibility, logging, burn visibility, and weekly management cadence.

Outcome
Work is planned and tracked in a way that protects the team, makes progress visible, and keeps delivery/commercial expectations aligned.

Go-live and acceptance are covered separately. See Client Acceptance (UAT) & Go-Live Guideline.


Scope

Roles

RoleResponsibility
Project Manager (PM)Post-activation estimation, task breakdown, visibility plan, sprint ceremonies, burn/variance tracking
Account Executive (AE)Client coordination, scope change management, commercial alignment (when needed)
DEV / UX/UI / QATask execution, updates, actual manhour logging, review readiness
Business ExecutiveCapacity oversight, approval for deviations, risk escalation support

Departments

DepartmentResponsibility
DeliveryExecution and coordination
Account ManagementCommercial coordination and client alignment
Technology / CreativeImplementation by discipline
FinanceInvoicing/payment coordination (deposit pre-kickoff; other payments when defined in contract)
LegalContract/terms validation when scope change affects contractual documents/terms
HRCapacity context when needed

Definitions

TermDefinition
Project Code / Project IDProject identifier generated in Kiluth ERPNext (e.g., PROJ-0023)
Sprint (Planning Cycle)The planning frame used to group expectations and review progress. Default is 1 week; 2 weeks may be used when agreed
Kickoff complete (standard)AE kickoff is considered complete when PM is assigned, sprint cadence is scheduled, project brief sign-off proof is stored/linked by AE (storage location is ad-hoc and decided by AE per client/project; access/visibility is decided by AE case-by-case based on client sensitivity; if restricted, AE provides a workable fallback case-by-case via a redacted Asana summary and/or a restricted link shared to the executing stakeholders; optional: include a 1-line quote of the approval text), key assumptions/risks are logged, comms channels are agreed, and initial milestones are confirmed
Visibility PlanHow PM makes work and progress visible: queue locking (when used), negotiated adjustments, milestones/deadlines, and recurring follow-ups
Estimated ManhourPlanned effort for a task (by role when relevant)
Actual ManhourActual effort logged on completion
VarianceActual minus estimated (per task / per milestone)
OverburnActual manhours exceed estimated manhours (task or project)

Operating Model (Sprint + Asana + Visibility)

At Kiluth:

Operating Model
1Asana is the system of record for work tracking, approvals, and handoffs.
2Use checkpoints and decision points: don’t move forward until the previous step is “done”, and branches are explicit.
3Handoff order: upstream defines handoff artifacts/exit criteria; downstream defines execution after handoff.
Outcome
Everyone can answer: what are we doing this sprint, who owns it, what “done” means, and what is at risk.

Post-Activation Estimation (PM)

After project activation, PM completes post-activation estimation before execution begins.

Timing (Default)

Timing (Default)
1Complete within 3 business days of activation (default target)
2Earlier if the work is already in motion or deadlines are tight

Minimum Output

#Required artifact
1Atomic tasks in Asana with definition of done and acceptance criteria
2Estimated manhours (by role when relevant)
3Milestones and a realistic timeline (based on capacity)
4Dependencies, assumptions, constraints, key risks
Outcome
Execution can start with a shared plan and measurable “done”.

Work Visibility Plan (Queue Locking + Flexibility + Follow-ups)

PM creates a visibility plan for the sprint (and keeps it updated). The plan usually combines:

ComponentWhat it provides
Queue locking (calendar blocks)Focus protection and a visible queue when calendar visibility helps the team
Negotiated flexibilityTeam can move blocks and reorder work with PM, while preserving visibility
Milestones / deadlines / follow-upsRecurring checkpoints so progress stays honest and risks surface early

When queue locking is used

Minimum requirements:

Minimum requirements:
1Calendar blocks reflect estimated manhours for committed work
2Blocks reference the Asana task (link in description)
3Changes are communicated and kept visible (calendar + Asana updates)
Outcome
Work remains visible and manageable even when plans move.

Execution & Logging

Execution flow (minimum)

StepOwner
1Work begins based on the visibility planAssignee
2Task is completed according to definition of doneAssignee
3Actual manhours are logged in AsanaAssignee
4Task is moved to In Review (or equivalent)Assignee
5PM validates outcome against acceptance criteriaPM
6If variance exists, PM documents variance and a short root causePM
Outcome
Progress and burn are visible without relying on memory or chat history.

Variance, Overburn, and Scope Change

Variance (per task / milestone)

Minimum practice:

Minimum practice:
1Record estimated vs actual
2Add a short reason when the variance is meaningful (so we learn and adjust early)

Overburn

Overburn is signal (estimation gap, scope change, complexity) and triggers a response:

Action
1Make the overburn visible (task/project notes)
2Identify root cause (short, factual)
3Decide corrective action (re-estimate, re-scope, adjust timeline/capacity)

Scope change (commercial alignment)

If work exceeds the agreed scope:

If work exceeds the agreed scope:
1PM + AE align on commercial impact and client communication
2Legal is involved when contractual documents/terms require validation (MSA/SOW/change order/custom clauses)
3Scope change requires a signed document (change order / updated SOW) before changed work starts.
4Approval chain is case-by-case and decided by AE (based on deal/client sensitivity). Delivery should not start changed work until the chosen approvals are explicitly documented in Asana.
5AE creates the Change Request Asana task and links the signed change order / updated SOW.
6Change Request task content is case-by-case and decided by AE; at minimum include the signed document link (recommended: short summary + impact on price/timeline/milestones).

See Contracting & Change Order Workflow Guideline for the Legal drafting/review workflow.

Outcome
Delivery reality and commercial expectations stay aligned (no silent absorption).

Weekly Cadence (Default)

Sprint is always used as the planning frame. Default cadence:

DayCeremonyPurpose
Monday (morning)Sprint planningAgree sprint priorities, visibility plan, and commitments
Tuesday (morning)AE + Business Executive syncAlign delivery/commercial priorities and risks
Wednesday (morning)Weekly check-inProgress check, unblock, adjust visibility plan
Friday (morning)AE + PM syncAlign client expectations, scope changes (if any), delivery status
Friday (afternoon)Sprint retro + QAImprove process + confirm QA readiness/quality

For 2-week sprints, keep the weekly syncs/check-ins, and run planning/retro at sprint boundaries.


Deviation Process

If the team needs to deviate from this playbook:

Step
1Document the deviation and why (in Asana/project notes)
2Align with Business Executive when the deviation impacts capacity, timeline, or risk
3Keep the alternative plan visible (same principle: visibility over enforcement)

Delivery Execution Checklist (PM Use)

Project Activation Setup (Precondition)

Checklist
1☐ Project code / Project ID exists (e.g., PROJ-0023)
2☐ Projects board project card exists and is linked from the deal context
3☐ Projects board project card is assigned to AE to signify handoff and kickoff initiation
4☐ AE confirms readiness for kickoff (project card + key links present; deposit confirmed; sign-off proof links for project brief + latest meeting minutes)
5☐ Deposit confirmation is recorded per Invoicing & Payment Operations Guideline
6☐ Deposit is confirmed by Finance and recorded by Sales in Asana via comment (include confirmation + date; @mention Finance or Finance reply) (pre-activation/kickoff). If deposit is delayed, do not activate the project and do not run kickoff (AE owns client follow-up and status updates).

Kickoff (Standard)

Checklist
1☐ PM is assigned and has access to the project context
2☐ Sprint length is set (1 week default / 2 weeks when agreed)
3☐ Sprint cadence is scheduled and accounted for in capacity (Weekly Cadence (Default))
4☐ Sign-off proof: Link (project brief; AE responsible; signed document required if it includes contract-related decisions: scope, price, timeline, payment terms, milestones, acceptance criteria/DoD, change requests)
5☐ Sign-off proof: Link (latest meeting minutes; for key decisions and scope alignment; AE owns upkeep)
6☐ Key assumptions/risks are logged
7☐ Communication channels and expectations are agreed
8☐ Initial milestones are confirmed

Post-Activation Estimation

Checklist
1☐ Atomic tasks created with definition of done + acceptance criteria
2☐ Estimated manhours added (by role where relevant)
3☐ Milestones/timeline set based on capacity
4☐ Dependencies/assumptions/constraints/risks documented

Work Visibility Plan

Checklist
1☐ Visibility plan agreed (queue locking when used + negotiated adjustments + milestones/deadlines + follow-ups)
2☐ If queue locking is used: calendar blocks created and linked to tasks
3☐ Follow-ups scheduled for milestones/deadlines and risk points

Execution & Logging

Checklist
1☐ Tasks updated and moved to In Review when ready
2☐ Actual manhours logged on completion
3☐ PM validates and documents meaningful variance (short root cause)

Overburn / Scope Change

Checklist
1☐ Overburn made visible and addressed (root cause + corrective action)
2☐ If scope change: PM + AE aligned on commercial impact; Legal involved when contractual validation is needed

End of Document