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Project Management Concepts
Chapter Concepts
Definition of a project and its attributes
Key constraints within which a project must be
managed
Life cycle of a project
Definition of project management
Elements of the project management process
Implications of global project management
Project Management Institute
Benefits of project management
Learning Outcomes
Define what a project is Define and apply project
List and discuss the management
attributes of a project Discuss the steps of the
Explain what is meant by planning process
project objective Identify the three elements
Define what is meant by of the executing process
project deliverable Discuss some implications
Provide examples of of global project
projects management
Discuss project constraints Discuss the Project
Management Institute
Describe the phases of the
project life cycle List benefits of project
management techniques
Project Management Knowledge Areas from PMBOK® Guide
Project Integration Management
Project Attributes
Clear objective
Series of interdependent tasks
Various resources
Specific time frame
Unique, one-time endeavor
Sponsor or customer
Degree of uncertainty
Balancing Project Constraints
Project Manager Actions
Prevent, anticipate, overcome
Have good planning and communication
Be responsible
The Project Life Cycle
Initiating Phase
First phase
Identify need, problem, or
opportunity
Determine if select project
Develop project charter
Rationale
Project objective
Expected benefits
General requirements and
conditions
Decide if RFP needed
Planning Phase
Second Phase
Show how project scope will be
accomplished
Plan the work and work the plan
Develop baseline plan
What needs to be done -- scope,
deliverable
How it will get done -- activities,
sequence
Who will do it -- resources,
responsibilities
How long it will take -- durations,
schedule
How much it will cost -- budget
What the risks are
Have actual resources plan the work
Performing Phase
Third phase
Accomplish project objectives
Project manager leads
Project team completes the
project
Increase pace as more resources
are added
Monitor and control progress
Take corrective action as needed
Manage and control changes with
sponsor approval
Achieve customer satisfaction
with acceptance of deliverable
Closing Phase
Final phase
Collect and make final
payments
Recognize and evaluate staff
Conduct post project
evaluation
Document lessons learned
Archive project documents
Record lessons learned
Project Planning Process
Establish project objective
Define scope
Create WBS
Assign responsibility
Define specific activities
Sequence activities
Estimate activity resources
Estimate activity durations
Develop project schedule
Estimate activity costs
Determine budget
Create WBS and Assign Responsibility
Sequence Activities
Develop the Project Schedule
Determine Budget
Execute the Project Plan
Perform the work
Monitor and control
progress
Control changes
Global Project Management
Globalization Helpful Competencies
Adds a dimension of Foreign language skills
complexity Knowledge of
Cultures
Changes project dynamics Geography
Requires awareness of factors World history and
contemporary events
Cultural differences International economics
Currency Awareness of
Codes and regulations Customs and etiquette
Business organization Geopolitical environment
Political relations Technology adoption and
Workforce availability translation software
Project Management Associations
Project Management Institute Global Associations
Worldwide not-for-profit Links available at
association of practitioners
350,000 members in >170 www.cengagebrain.com
countries
250 chapters in >70 countries
Online communities for
collaboration
PMBOK® Guide
PMI Code of Ethics and
Professional Conduct
Certifications
www.pmi.org
Critical Success Factors
Planning and communication are critical to successful project management. They prevent problems
from occurring or minimize their impact on the achievement of the project objective when they do occur.
Taking the time to develop a well thought-out plan before the start of the project is critical to the
successful accomplishment of any project.
A project must have a clear objective of what is to be accomplished and defined in terms of end product
or deliverable, schedule, and budget; and is agreed upon by the customer.
Involve the sponsor or customer as a partner in the successful outcome of the project through active
participation during the project.
Achieving customer satisfaction requires ongoing communication with the customer to keep the
customer informed and to determine whether expectations have changed.
The key to effective project control is measuring actual progress and comparing it to planned progress
on a timely and regular basis and taking any needed corrective action immediately.
After the conclusion of a project, the project performance should be evaluated to learn what could be
improved if a similar project were to be undertaken in the future. Feedback should be obtained from the
sponsor or customer and the project team.
Learning and understanding the culture and customs of other project participants will demonstrate
respect, help build trust, and aid in developing an effective project team; and it is critical for successful
global project management.
Summary
A project is an endeavor to accomplish a specific objective through a unique set of
interrelated tasks and the effective utilization of resources.
The successful accomplishment of the project objective could be constrained by many
factors, including scope, quality, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and customer satisfaction.
The project life cycle has four phases: initiating, planning, performing, and closing the project.
Project management is planning, organizing, coordinating, leading, and controlling resources
to accomplish the project objective. The project management process involves two major
functions: first establishing a plan and then executing that plan to accomplish the project
objective.
Globalization changes the dynamics of a project and adds a layer of complexity that can
adversely affect the project outcome if the project participants are not aware of what they
can encounter regarding cultural differences and multinational economic transactions.
The Project Management Institute is a premier worldwide not-for-profit association for
practitioners in the project management profession.
The ultimate benefit of implementing project management techniques is having a satisfied
customer—whether you are the customer of your own project or a business (contractor)
being paid by a customer to perform a project.
