The management of projects involves the organizing and planning of resources within a company to help move a particular job, event, or task towards its completion. It could be a single project or a continuous activity and the resources that are managed include finances, personnel as well as technology, and intellectual property.
The term project management is usually connected to construction and engineering, and increasing healthcare and information technology (IT) typically contain several elements that must be assembled and completed in a certain way to make a product that functions.
Whatever the field is the project manager will tend to share the same task: aid in the definition of the objectives and goals of the project. They also determine the time when different project elements are required due to being done and who will be responsible for them. They also perform quality control tests to make sure that they meet a specific standard.
Understanding Project Management
In general, the process of managing a project encompasses the following phases planning, initiation execution, monitoring, and closing.
From beginning to end each project must have an outline of the steps needed to get things off the ground and how they will be constructed, and when they’ll finish. In the case of architecture, for instance, the blueprint begins by generating an initial idea. It then progresses to sketches, then into blueprint drafting with thousands of tiny pieces joining in between every step. The architect is only the one person who is a part of the picture. The project manager brings everything together.
Each project usually includes a budget and a timeframe. The project manager ensures that everything runs efficiently, on time, and within budget. It means that when the scheduled timeline is approaching the end of its run the project manager can keep the entire team working on the project to be on time to complete the project.
The different types of Project Management
Different types of project management methods have been designed to meet the needs of specific industries or types of projects. These include:
1. Waterfall Project Management
It is like traditional project management. But it comes with the condition that each task must be complete before the next one can begin. The steps are linear, and progress is in a single direction, much like a waterfall. Due to this, attention to task sequences and timelines is essential for this kind of managing project. In most cases, the number of team members who are working on the project will increase in the course of smaller assignments, and bigger tasks are initiate.
2. Agile Project Management
The industry of computer software was among the first companies to adopt this approach. The basis for this methodology is the 12 fundamental guidelines in the Agile Manifesto process management can describe as an iterative procedure with a focus on the continual monitoring and enhancement of deliverables. In the end, the high-quality deliverables are the result of providing value to the customer by interacting with teams and adjusting to the current business needs.
Agile project management doesn’t adhere to a sequential, stage-by-stage process. Instead, different phases that are part of the process can carry out simultaneously by team members of an organization. This way, you can identify and correct mistakes without needing to repeat the whole process.
3. Lean Project Management
This method is about avoiding waste of time as well as resources. The principles behind this approach are derive from Japanese manufacturing methods. The primary idea behind them is to increase value for customers using fewer resources.
There are many more methods and methods of managing projects than those listed, but these are the most popular. The method used is based on the preferences of the person who manages the project or the company that is whose project is overseen.
An example of project management
Let’s suppose a project manager is charge with managing a team in the development of software products. They start by determining the extent that the undertaking will take. They then assign work to the team will be working on the project which could comprise engineers, developer’s technical writers, and quality assurance experts. The project manager designs the schedule and determines the deadlines.
Most often, project managers will employ visual representations of workflow. Like Gantt charts, or even PERT charts to identify what tasks must complete by what departments. They create an appropriate budget, which includes funds to ensure that the project stays within the budget in the case of unexpected contingencies. The project manager ensure that the team has the resources required to create, test, and then deploy a software application.
If a major IT company, like Cisco Systems, Inc. is acquire by smaller companies. One of the most important aspects of the task of the project manager is to incorporate team members with diverse backgrounds. Also, to instill an awareness of team spirit in achieving the desired outcome. Project managers may possess certain technical expertise. But they also are responsible for taking corporate visions to a high level and producing tangible results within the timeframe in line with budget.
