THE ART OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Got a major project around the corner? Not sure how to tackle it? Siobhán Murphy is a qualified Project Manager with Network Rail. Here are her top business tips on how to manage the most mammoth of tasks.
It was once said that ‘the world responds to action and not much else.’ In order to successfully deliver business needs in the complex and competitive modern world it is crucial to have a flexible and responsive business strategy and system in place with which to manage projects. Like any human undertaking, be it a business venture or otherwise, projects require effective management, a project being the creation/improvement of something, essentially turning inputs into outputs through a series of tasks and activities. A fitting method of managing such a process is through applying the discipline of project management.
Project management entails a process consisting of a series of actions that can be followed which help address important fundamental questions prior to getting started on any major works. By planning, organizing, managing and integrating resources, project management ultimately establishes structure and focus within a project environment in which specific project goals and objectives can then be delivered within common project constraints, often referred to as the ‘Project Management Triangle,’ traditionally comprised of three key factors – time, cost and quality.
Involving various tools and techniques, project management helps maximize performance whilst ensuring optimum results when delivering projects. When aiming to achieve project deliverables it is essential for a project to have an appropriate leader, a committed team, a viable action plan and, most importantly, the ability to change and adapt since the environment in which projects emerge is in a constant state of flux where flexibility is often a critical success factor.
Whilst various approaches to project management exist, the most straightforward and well known is the traditional approach comprised of five key stages, outlined below.
1. Initiation
• Establish a vision/definition for the project by determining the nature and scope of the project in the context of the business environment, achieved by bringing together the core team members and those with close interests in the project known as the stakeholders.
2. Planning/design
• Develop a plan of when works will be completed and carry out design works so that the final product satisfies the requirements of the client/stakeholders.
3. Execution
• Deliver the works in line with the project requirements and vision within the constraints of time, cost and quality – this requires effective management and coordination of both people and resources.
4. Monitoring/controlling
• Assess how the project fairs against the project objectives and targets – specifically those that make up the aforementioned ‘Project Management Triangle.’ Progress reports and milestones assist with measuring progress in order to overcome any potential problems/threats.
5. Close-out
• Finalize all activities to formally close the project after the client is happy with the final deliverable and accepts it.
Employing project management and its relative tools and techniques as outlined above can increase the chances of bringing about significant noticeable effects such as completing projects on time, within budget and to the desired quality. Additionally, utilizing project management can bring wider project benefits such as more effective management methods, greater involvement of the client and/or stakeholders, better development of the team, more effective communication and the ability to learn from mistakes made, which is particularly useful for future projects.
