PM Themes – 6
Measuring the achievements made against the planned objectives is the method by which progress can be determined. So for this sixth in our series of Project Management Themes we're going to look at how the good Project Manager will assess the progress they are making with regards to the project objectives they are managing. Read the rest of this entry »
PM Themes – 5
Despite having planned and agreed, with the project owner, the objectives required to successfully deliver the project at its outset; it would be naive in the extreme to presume that no changes to those original plans would be either asked for or become quite apparently necessary as the project progresses. Subsequently the Project Manager has to be aware of the “Change theme” which requires him or her to first identify and then assess and control any potential changes be they ones that are requested by the project owner or ones identified by the project team(s) needing approval by the owner. Read the rest of this entry »
Being Virtually Always Available
Being a Project Manager you quite understand needing to be available 24/7 to answer any queries that might arise regarding progress or indeed problems with the project. However, despite fully understanding the need for you to always be available to your teams – if you are working on a project requiring input from several different teams in different time zones or countries, this can become a strain for even the most experienced Project Manager. Read the rest of this entry »
PM Themes – 4
Effective planning ensures that the Project Manager can effectively communicate with all the staff working on the project, which in turn will help them to effectively control the project. Subsequently the fourth theme essential to Project Management is the plan theme. For the purposes of this article we will define the plan as the means by which the final product is to be presented to the owners. Read the rest of this entry »
PM Themes – 3
Of all the themes anyone ever looks at in Project Management the theme of quality is always very important. So, for the third in our series on PM themes we are almost compelled to consider the theme of quality and the Project Manager. Read the rest of this entry »
Project Managing Christmas
For most Project Mangers the Christmas holiday period means an opportunity to take a few days well earned rest and time away from the project they’ve been so committed to. After all, there is little point with all but the most time sensitive projects even contemplating trying to work between Christmas day and New Years day - with so many staff taking time off and suppliers shut until the New Year anyway. Read the rest of this entry »
PM Themes – 2
The second Project Management theme to consider is organization, which basically means determining and defining who is responsible and accountable for what within the project. In any project there is a customer who specifies what they expect the outcome of the project to be and will pay the budget needed to realize that outcome. To fulfill the customers expectations there are the suppliers - who have the skills and resources to deliver the desired outcome. Read the rest of this entry »
PM Themes – 1
During the life cycle of any project there are seven themes that the Project Manager must keep returning to if they are to have any chance of bringing the project to a successful conclusion. Project Management methodologies list these themes as being: Business case, Organization, Quality, Plans, Risks, Change and Progress. Read the rest of this entry »
Project Management method
What makes managing a project different to managing any task or function in a business? First of all a project is different to a regular task or function as it will invariably be a temporary occurrence. Secondly, a project’s purpose will be to deliver a specific business aspect or product that has been identified as being necessary according to a previously defined business plan - rather than being concerned with the general day-to-day business of the company concerned. Read the rest of this entry »
Project Management And Control
To use the idea of control as part of a managers’ remit these days might seem a little unfashionable. After all aren’t we all meant to facilitate the work of others and lead teams rather than try to manage from an authority base? Whilst in an ideal world those things would be true there are actually 6 areas of performance that a project manager really needs to control. Read the rest of this entry »