Project initiation is the processes under which the project is created and defined to the extent necessary to begin planning the project. This step involves the project setup, and ensures that the performing organization is clear about the purposes and priorities surrounding the project. There are usually certain issues that require setup, like funding or stakeholder … [Read more...]
Just like a surgeon is always monitoring the vital signs of their patient, project managers need to monitor their projects to make sure they do not veer off the plan. If the data ever shows that the project is deviating from the plan, swift action is usually the best medicine. Luckily, project management fundamentals provide plenty of assistance to project managers to … [Read more...]
Although it is the phase of project management that is most often shortened (or skipped altogether) due to budget availability, project closure is also one of the most visible project phases to senior managers and executives. Virtually all projects need some sort of closure phase to finalize the project and prepare its data for future reference. Project Closure … [Read more...]
The foundation for project management theory is called process groups. Although relegated to one of many project 'models' in the PMBOK version 7, it is a well established sequence of events which guides the project life cycle as a whole, as well as each iteration within the project. They are not project phases, although phases often result in the full cycle of … [Read more...]
Managing projects is like steering a ship. When the wind or sea conditions are rough, experienced helmsman use their keen sense of how the ship will react to keep it moving in the right direction. Because the ship doesn't react right away, the helmsman must anticipate the delay between turning the ship's wheel and the reaction of the ship. The destination is … [Read more...]
Project Management is a unique field in that people generally don't choose it as an initial career path. They enter via the back door through a technical field, or they want to learn project management theory with the goal of advancing into the role. For this reason, many people who practice project management are generally not well equipped with project management … [Read more...]
The Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a very structured, analytical outline of a somewhat abstract topic. Using it to manage projects is like trying to enjoy a play by reading the script. Although the relevant information is there, it is difficult to put into practice without external training. To that end, I … [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 … [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 are officially … [Read more...]
In this first out of five project management processes, the project is created and defined to the extent necessary to begin planning the project. This step involves the project setup, and ensures that the performing organization is clear about the purposes and priorities surrounding the project. There are usually certain issues that require setup, like funding or … [Read more...]
