Introduction to Project Management for entrepreneurs
One of the greatest benefits of projects in an organisational
context is their ability and effectiveness in the achievement of
goals. The success or failure of projects is largely related to
the way that managers develop tactics or plans for the projects
and how these plans can be effectively monitored and controlled
through the various stages of the project lifecycle. It is a
basic premise that the successful implementation of a project
requires the development of a set of action plans together with
subsequent tactics by the project manager. The planning stage of
the project will define issues such as the project goal, targets
and other milestones, as well as the establishment of a
relationship with the clients or stakeholders of the project.
The tactical aspects of the projects will include activities
such as verifying the projects technical abilities, resources
needed such as personnel and equipment and putting systems in
place for the monitoring and control of the project. Although
these planning and tactical activities are carried out through
the duration of the project careful attention should also be
given to the human issues and its influence on the project.
More and more organisations are using a project management
approach for the effective execution of critical operations.
Projects are often carried out in four phases, namely the
defining, planning, executing and delivering of the project.
How do I get started on learning how to manage projects? It is
important to take part in the exercises that are given here.
Many of us read trough modules like these as an overview without
going through the practicality of it. Its all in the doing.
Watching someone having a great experience on the television, or
reading about it in a book is not the same as being there
ourselves.
Although some project managers use a five step model for the
managing of projects, our project model have four steps.
Step 1 Get clear about your project (conceptual planning phase)
The conceptual planning process aims to define the project as
accurately as possible. The phase starts of by identifying the
needs of those whom initiated the project, which are usually a
client, management or stakeholders. This process determines not
only the customer's criteria for acceptance of the final
outcome, i.e., one of the project's success measures, but also
identifies the starting point for the planning and performance
of future activities. The company's main business objectives and
strategies need to be identified and understood so that the
project goals can be in line with them. Depending on the size of
the business, the organisation may appoint a high-level
executive who serves as a champion for the project. The project
manager can use this person as a resource, coach, advocate, or
sounding board during the project.
During this initial phase, the planning team, once appointed
identifies risks associated with the whole project and how to
respond to them. Conceptualising often involves an initial
feasibility decision requiring management to answer questions
such as, what is the problem, and what are the alternative
solutions or projects? Selection techniques or decision-making
procedures should ideally be put in place for the making of
difficult decisions. Typical questions to be asked may include,
what are the specific goals of the project? How do these goals
match with the organisational mission? How do they meet the
users' requirements? What is the general level of resource
required? Are these resources available or must they be
acquired? What are the technical requirements of the project?
All these questions need to be addressed when evaluating and
selecting a project