In simple terms, project management is a process that brings a group of people together to achieve a common goal, usually within a given time frame. The ultimate goal of project management is to deliver a product to the customer, and the project must adhere to specific guidelines. A project can also be regarded as a temporary, work-in-progress operation within the life cycle. As on PRINCE2 Foundation training belfast.
The project management process often begins with a deliverable or service requiring research and the development of what is ultimately considered to be the life cycle product or service. Essentially project management is a vast, lengthy range undertaking that typically involves a whole host of professionals involved in one or more phases to achieve a pre-defined goal. It can be commonly divided into the following stages: Intending team members, research and staff, and planning.
This document explains the project management process by detailing the phases within the project life cycle.
The whole range of project management professionals and their job roles plays a significant role within the project lifecycle. Their functions may encompass cost management, schedule management, quality management, enterprise resource planning, and quality enhancement. Not all project management professionals can be placed within these critical roles, as their skills will significantly depend upon the type of business being administered.
An intended team member is the project team who is initially accountable for any project in the organization. The team is generally responsible for who the client is, their recommendations to the project manager and the reasons for failure. From a project manager’s perspective, having the best people on the team will result in the project’s success and the original communications within the organization to mitigate any information getting lost. At this time, the team is responsible for the overall success or failure of the project.
Research is the initial step in the project life cycle, where the client will gain knowledge to carry out future projects. The research objective is to ensure that the project’s current procedures, concepts, and general management practices are aligned. Because research cannot bear potential risk due to a lack of knowledge, it is essential to note that it affects the entire project life cycle whenever any form of research is not completed. Historically, absorb what you do state, and you will be prepared for anything.
Staffing the project is the next significant factor in the project life cycle. A project team will generally consist of a project manager, a program manager, a data or information manager and a quality control manager. The project manager aids in the design and planning of various approaches or continuation of existing procedures and, much like a project coordinator, oversees the project process.
Planning is the most obvious in the project life cycle; it is responsible for the entirety of the product creation, implementation and, most importantly, evaluation of the final return once the project is completed. Because of its importance, it is the most looked-at step in the project life cycle. Most projects use an outlined plan, generally utilizing existing software packages, to get things done. It is important to note that plan, plan and plan some more; no need to say that plan nowadays is essential, as it keeps the project on track with the identified deliverables of the project.
A project team can use two types of monitoring tools to monitor progress. The first is line graphs that show much like a hierarchical representation, and the other is Gantt Charts which only show much like a bar graph or an Ignore Line Chart. Both are practical tools for project managers, but each has its merits and weaknesses. It is also important to note that I believe the Ignore/Hierarchical monitoring style is most effective.
Planning, Staffing and Monitoring; the project life cycle makes much like a statement, yet it goes as a surprise no one notices it; it’s natural and happens with every project. Project management principles enable the organization to deliver a quality product with perfection, done by budget and time guidelines—obviously a great feeling.
