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 … [Read more...]
A procurement management plan documents how a project will conduct its procurement (purchasing). In the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), it is the component of the overall Project Management Plan that deals with external purchasing for the project. It is separate from the statement of work (SOW), also known as the terms of reference (TOR) which … [Read more...]
A Project Management Information System (PMIS) is one or more software tools used for a project's information storage and distribution. There are many types of PMIS, and equally diverse ways of applying these types of systems for optimal benefit to the organization. The components of a project management information system are: Scheduling Estimating … [Read more...]
Writing a project report can seem like peering through the morning fog, into the unknown with no sense of direction. But there is a standard structure which, if followed, can pierce the veil and reveal the road to the destination. A project report has a 5 part structure: Executive Summary Introduction Main Body Statement of Problem Description of … [Read more...]
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) specifies the creation of a Communications Management Plan. The PRINCE2 project management methodology specifies an equivalent Communications Management Approach. This plan describes how project communications will be managed, planned, structured, implemented and monitored for effectiveness. A communications … [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. Stakeholder … [Read more...]
Project management certification can be a difficult field to navigate. You want to be recognized for your expertise and further your job prospects, but if you choose the wrong certification you could jeopardize those goals. You have to know which to choose before pursuing them. There are many variables to consider, including geography, popularity, cost, and … [Read more...]
Most projects require some form of external purchasing (procurement) in order to meet their goals. Executing these procurements to fulfill the needs of the project falls under the knowledge area of Project Procurement Management. Contractors usually have better expertise or experience and can provide a higher quality product. But often they are not … [Read more...]
Many project managers have executed the technical work to perfection only to find out that stakeholders were not satisfied because communication was poor. Thus, project communication is sometimes more important than the technical work. Of course, the project manager needs to communicate when unexpected events occur. That's the domain of project risk … [Read more...]
Managing the project resources is how the project manager spends most of their time. From ordering supplies, to training team members, to paying bills, the project resources are a seemingly bottomless pit of active management. Meanwhile, the project team is one of the most important components of project success - Having confidence that your team is going to … [Read more...]
