Project Management - Part 1

Project management revolves around three key organizational elements :
1. Business – projects must be aligned with and support the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
2. People – projects revolve around people. This includes the project manager, stakeholders, and the project team.
3. Tools and Technology – projects rely on the resources at hand to plan, control, schedule, and track project progress.

It is the role of the project manager to manage and optimize these three elements throughout the project management process


Project Management Constraints
A project, no matter the size or magnitude, must be completed under three constraints. Often referred to as the "Triple Constraints of Project Management" or "The Project Management Triangle," these constraints are as follows:
» Scope – project size, goals and deliverables.
» Time – time frame available to complete the project.
» Cost (or Budget) – amount (in dollars) budgeted for the project.

Each project constraint is in direct competition or conflict with another. Therefore, changing one constraint has a direct impact on the others. In almost all projects, the goal is a high quality deliverable within a fixed time frame, at the predetermined cost. However, if for example, one constraint is considered absolutely critical for the project, the other two constraints will have to give way, or be altered, to accommodate the fixed constraint


Phases of Project Management

1. Project Initiation – The business problem or opportunity is identified and a business case is developed. All stakeholders come together to establish preliminary agreement around project scope, costs, and expected timelines.
2. Project Planning – Project plans are established outlining activities, resource requirements, tasks, project deliverables, etc. A preliminary project schedule (i.e. work breakdown structure) is drafted.

3. Project Execution – This is where the bulk of the project work is completed. During this phase, customer requirements are gathered, a solution is agreed upon by all stakeholders and/or selection/procurement begins. While the actual project plan is being executed, a series of management processes are also underway to monitor and control project progress and deliverables and to ensure the project stays on track.
4. Project Monitoring and Control – Regularly measuring and monitoring project progress; making sure project objectives are on track and being met. Variances from the project plan are identified and corrective action is taken when necessary.
5. Project Closure – The project is delivered to the customer. A post-implementation review is conducted to determine the level of success of the project and to highlight key lessons learned for future projects. For example:
» Did the project deliver on time, within budget, and to scope and quality requirements?
» Were the customer, project stakeholders, and project team members satisfied with the project deliverables?
» Did the project achieve the expected business benefits?


IT projects are known to fail for some of the following reasons:
» Project sponsors are not committed to the project objectives.
» Business needs are not clearly defined (i.e. incomplete/changing requirements).
» Incomplete project scope and unrealistic expectations.
» Absence of a project plan.
» Lack of resources (i.e. people, technology, money, time frame).
» Inappropriate methodology or project approach.
» Too many people working on the project – no project synergy.