Project team management is the process of tracking team member performance, providing feedback, resolving issues, and managing project resources to optimize project performance. It is one of the central cogs in the wheel of project management, and also one of the most difficult. No wonder why many books have been written about it from many perspectives. But like … [Read more...]
In project management, the project team is the component of the project organizational chart that carries out the project's technical work. The project team reports to the project manager. For small projects, the project team and the project manager can be the same person. But this does not mean the distinctly separate roles are not present. The main project … [Read more...]
A carpenter without a hammer. A programmer without a computer. A speaker without a microphone. Resource planning is an indispensable component of project management. In order to effectively manage project resources, they must be planned in advance. The primary output of the Project Resource Management knowledge area is a resource management plan. There are … [Read more...]
Stakeholders are to a project like players are to a team. Having the best players is one of the easiest ways to win the game, but strategy and tactics led by the coach (project manager) can go a long ways. Thus, successful projects know who their stakeholders are and what motivates them. That's where stakeholder analysis comes in. What is a Stakeholder Analysis? A … [Read more...]
Quality is a subset of the Delivery Performance Domain within the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). It focuses on the performance levels that are required to be met. Most projects focus the lion's share of their efforts on time and cost. But there's a third nutrient the lions need to survive; Project managers regularly think they're the king of the jungle … [Read more...]
The Terms of Reference (TOR) is a description of the technical work involved in a project, or part of a project. Specifically, it is used to specify the work required by an external consultant, contractor, or supplier. It is the technical part of the bidding documents. Typically, a project manager develops a Terms of Reference which is included within the bidding … [Read more...]
Lean Project Management is the application of lean concepts to project management methodologies. Lean is a method used in the manufacturing industry which results in significant increases in product quality and production efficiency. Project management, on the other hand, seeks to produce one single product or service (or just a few) while satisfying stakeholders and … [Read more...]
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) divides projects into five phases. Although the term 'phase' implies that they are carried out in chronological order, in practice they can be performed out of order. For example, when project changes occur the project manager would proceed back to the planning phase. For this reason they used to be called process … [Read more...]
One of the most confusing aspects of Project Management is the concept of Contingencies and Management Reserves. When are they used? What are they used for? And how are they applied? In this article I will lift the veil. Contingencies Contingencies are amounts placed in the project estimate to account for "known unknowns." That is, the existence of the cost is … [Read more...]
Carpenters have hammers, plumbers have wrenches, and programmers have computers. But does a project manager have any tools which help them perform their work better, quicker, or cheaper? Absolutely! In fact, if you don't use these tools you will be at a serious disadvantage to other project managers. And if you do, your career will see an order of magnitude return … [Read more...]
