Project Management

Project managment overview and definition Projects are singular, but non-routine, events with precise objectives which must be achieved within a set timeframe. Projects are broken into a set of activities designed to fulfil the stated objectives. Examples of projects include the building of a house, the holding of an event like a party or even something as simple as completing a school assignment. Project Management requires the organisation of people, equipment and procedures in an appropriate way to get a project completed within a set timeframe and budget. A Project Manager is responsible for the coordination of all these resources in order to achieve the project objectives. The following need to be considered when planning a project

Purpose and aim of the project Resources available both human and material Costing, human and time constraints The tasks, procedures or activities required to complete the project

Project management techniques are used by organisations because they ensure that organisational objectives and system objectives are being met in a timely, accurate, relevant and complete manner. They provide a way of controlling people, resources and procedures, and clearly identify the tasks that must be completed and the desired completion time.

Project Management History

Project Management is not a new concept. Even in the time of the Ancient Egyptians a form of project management was needed to coordinate the construction of the great pyramids. Modern project management tools were, however, not developed until the early 1900s with the creation of the GANTT chart method. Further refinement in project management tools came about in the 1950s with the development of the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). These three tools form the basis for documenting and managing the progress of projects. All of these tools produce graphical representations of projects, and all current project management software includes these components.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT READING MATERIAL: PART 1 Project Management To study Project Management, we have to define what projects are and describe how they arise. This reading material will concentrate on describing what a project is, and how it can arise as a part of a planning process, as a response to a changing environment, as a business opportunity, as a problem or as a newly identified requirement. Projects are very diverse, and may range from one or two people making an effort over a few days or weeks to dozens or even hundreds of people working over a period of years. Click on the links below to download and read extra material on project management. This material will open in a new tab/window beside this one.
1-1 What is a Project? 1-2 Organisations and Players in the Game 1-3 The Project Environment - Strategic Planning 1-4 Two Investigative Tools 1-5 Organisational Objectives 1-6 Summary References and Acknowledgements