The difference between Project Management and Other Managements

Although the functions and duties of both project management and other management are
very much similar, a few differences between them make them unique functions with
identities of themselves.

Project management is usually employed in projects that are temporary and time
constrained. General management is employed for ongoing procedures or functions of
certain organizations, businesses etc.
Usually, in project management, resources are limited. In contrast, general management is
also responsible for resourcing whatever necessary ingredients as deemed necessary for
the continuation of functions.
Management is an academic discipline taught in schools and universities all over the
world. Project management often falls under this broad discipline of management.
Therefore, one can say that the difference between project management and general
management does not lie in leadership or other qualities required, but in the scope of
responsibilities that lie within each role.

Advantages & Disadvantages of different Project Approaches

Traditional project approach
This approach is one of the main methods amongst the other current project approach
methods. This technique can be defined as a step by step approach toeach of the projects five
stages which are initiating, planning, execution, monitoring,and completion of the project.
Each particular stage is broken down and a stage begins only when the pre-stage has been
completed, usually in traditional projects apresent stage cannot cycle back to its previous
stage .This concept is very advantageous for the stakeholders as their opinion is crucial.
Advantages

Budgeting and cost control

In traditional approach most projects are completed within budget because usually the
functional manager establish the budget on approval from the higher authority and has the
absolute control over it. He also has flexible manpower and a wide basefrom which to work .

Suitable for mass production

Every activity is carried out within the functional groups. Each department leaded by a head
contents strong technical expertise. All projects can benefit from the latest technology as they
flow through the functional departments. Thus the system well suited to mass production

Communication

Communication channel is vertical and structured for both formal and informal organisations.
Organisations also have well defined levels of authority and responsibility as each person
reports to only one individual.

Efficiency

The traditional project management method has been proven efficient to deliver the desired
product to the customers satisfaction for a long time. When a strategy in project management
method leads to success, it builds up a trust between the organisation and the client, that
strategy is then considered for future projects. It also has a positive effect on the worker, they
become more experienced and specialized to perform complex activities and to accomplish
more challenging projects.
Disadvantages
However, complication and sophisticated client expectations of the latest projects reveal the
flaws of traditional project management methods. In addition usually project managers are
expected to make a sense of balance between client expectations and business interests and
also to improve the end product, decrease cost and duration of the project. The disadvantages
of traditional project management method are listed below.

Absence of central authority

The major disadvantages are associated to the lack of a well-built central power for the
project. Conflict occurs between functional groups as they struggle for power. High level
executives have to get involved in daily routine when integrating a complex activity. Decision
making may become time-consuming.

No customer focal point

The response to customer's need become a slow and aggravating process in traditional
approach due to lack of customers' centre of attention. Communications are channelled
through higher management. Top level managers then pass on all difficult issues to the
functional manager.

Time management

Traditional projects require very large lead time so it has a tendency to fall behind the
timetable. Usually manager attends to those activities first which are beneficial for them and
their subordinates.

Good ideas are held back

In the traditional method the specialist constructors, who deliver the project are involved in
the project after the design is substantially complete so they miss the opportunity to
contribute their ideas in design phase.

Lack of coordination

In the traditional project management method the subcontractors involved in the project work
individually rather than as part of a team. As there is no formal attempt to create any mutual
commitment or expectations amongst them.

Local optimisation

Each subcontractor tries to optimise their performance due to lack of mutual commitment and
coordination, which drives them to defend themselves when something goes wrong at the
expense of both the clients and other subcontractors.

Critical Path project approach

The critical path method helps to identify the most important activities, which can impact the
project schedule. As such, this method is useful in creating project schedules and managing
high-risk activities on the critical path.
Advantages

Makes dependencies visible between the project activities;

This is done by constructing project network diagrams or precedence diagrams.
Organizes large and complex projects
Allow a more systematic approach to project planning and scheduling, project
execution, and risk management.

Enables the calculation of the float (slack) of each activity.

The float explains exactly how long an activity can come in late without it impacting
the project schedule.
Encourages the Project Manager to reduce the project duration
This done by optimizing the critical path and using compression techniques.
Increases visibility of impact of schedule revisions
This is usually necessary when major milestones have been missed or when the risk
of missing a major milestone looms large.
Enables the Project Manager to optimize efficiency
Helps to allocate resources appropriately, consequently the overall cost can be
reduced.

Disadvantages

For large and complex projects, therell be thousands of activities and dependency
relationships.

Without software it can be mighty difficult managing this. To make matters worse, if
the plan changes during project execution then the precedence diagram will have to be
redrawn. Fortunately, we do have relatively cheap software that can handle this with
ease. One of the advantages of drawing a project precedence diagram is that we can
print and stick in the project area. The precedence diagram enables the team to stay
focused on project activities. Project team members are always cognizant of the
critical path since it is visible every day. However, for large projects with thousands
of activities, it may be difficult to print the project network diagram. We would
most definitely need a plotter.

Traditional project approach

Extreme project approach
This approach is suitable for projects which handle dynamic situations, such as, changing
customer requirements. Often, it may not be possible to obtain a full clarity of requirements
and a project may purely be guided by market changes. The mobile phone industry, which
experiences rapid changes, is a case in point. The project team, hence, plans purely on the
basis of the currently available data and depending on requirement changes, modifies plans.
Event

chain

project

approach

According to this approach, a single constraint can create a chain of constraints and severely
impede a project. For example, in a project, if several departments depend on one another,
then constraints in any one department can negatively impact the productivity of downstream
departments. A project team can use past data to foresee a negative event and identify
preventive measures. Reliable data, collected over time, can even help track event chains. The

Gantt chart is a popular event chain tracking tool. The event chain approach, hence, could be
an excellent problem solving approach for critical projects
PRINCE stands for Projects in Controlled Environments. Dealing with a bit of history, this
method was first established by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (It is
now referred to as the Office of Government Commerce).
It has since become a very commonly used project management method in all parts of the
world and has therefore proven to be highly effective in various respects.
The method also helps you to identify and thereafter assign roles to the different members of
the team based on expertise. Over the years, there have been a number of positive case studies
of projects that have used PRINCE2 project management methodology.
This method deals with the various aspects that need to be managed in any given project.
The Pros and Cons of the Methodology
One benefit of using this method over others could be said to be the fact that it is productbased and it also divides the project into different stages making it easy to manage. This is
sure to help the project team to remain focused and deliver a quality outcome at the end of the
day.
The most important of all benefits is that it improves communication between all members of
the team and also between the team and other external stakeholders, thereby giving the team
more control of the project.
It also gives the stakeholder a chance to have a say when it comes to decision making as they
are always kept informed by the issuance of reports at regular intervals.

PRINCE2 also ensures that improvements can be made in the organization. This is because
you would be able to identify any flaws that you make in projects and correct, which of
course would help you to a great extent in the long run.
The flexibility of PRINCE2 allows these changes to be made run-time. Although there can be
some implications and issues to the project schedule when certain changes are done run-time,
PRINCE2 offers some of the best practices to minimize the impact.
Your team will also learn to save a lot of time and be more economical when it comes to the
use of assets and various other resources, thereby ensuring that you are also able to cut down
on costs a great deal.
When it comes to disadvantages, PRNCE2 does not offer the level of flexibility offered by
some of the modern project management methodologies. Since project management,
especially in software industry, has grown to a different level, PRINCE2 may find difficulties
in catering some of the modern project management needs.
Lean Production Delivery System (LPDS):
Lean management system is intended to deliver the preferred product to maximize the
valuable resources and minimize the waste resources. If any project follows lean management
system then it is said to be lean projects. Basically, lean system delivers what is required, in
the exact amount and on the exact time. There are five lean principles value: chosen by
customers, value stream: mapping all necessary activities for each product or service, flow:
try to flow the value creating steps, pull: keeping up with the demand and perfection: strive
for perfection through continuous improvement.

Advantages

Structured process
LPDS apply a structured process which involves work breakdown structure. Usually
the

work is allocated to all the participant of the phases which helps to reduce the

time and also the cost of the project.

Single integrated team

In the lean product delivery system, all members are treated equally as part of a single
integrated team which involve the owner, designer, contractor and all other important
player in order to achieve the project goals.

Client satisfaction
In the lean product delivery system values are defined by client or client system which
contains the end-users, such as who are in charge of expense, the technical consumers

and their advisors.The project delivery team help customers decide what they want so
that they have a clear understanding of customer's requirements.This technique is very
efficient in achieving client satisfaction.

High production rate and quality product

Lean project delivery method is a very beneficial method; it not only assists in higher
production but also delivers desired end product with high quality attracting client
satisfaction. After the incorporation of the LPDS concept, results reveal its efficiency
and progress in every division.

Disadvantages

Require dedicated and experienced worker

Success of the project depends on the behavior of all workers. Professional and skilled
workers are highly recommended. Lack of skilled workers can lead to low quality end
product.

Change in organizational structure

The application of LPDS becomes challenging in organizations with complex
organizational structure. For an organisation to follow LPDS, it has to adapt unified
project culture which enables the worker to become advocate of the project no matter
who pays them.

Supplier Management
LPDS has a high production rate and involve just in time concept , the inventory and
materials should be supplied accordingly and on right time but sometimes the supplier
cannot match up to the expectations which may affect the whole process .

Change in original project

LPDS projects usually try to improve the specified requirements. Sometime this may
lead to different visions which could make deviance on aims and targets of the original
project.