Project management

Topics to be discussed

Meaning of project
A project is unique, finite, understanding with
clearly defined objectives, involving interrelated tasks or activities and contribution of
number of people working co-operatively
under centralized control to produce a
specified outcome or product with clearly
defined parameters of time, cost and quality

Characteristics of project

Objectives
Life span
Life cycle
Team spirit
Complexity
Risk and uncertainty
Customer oriented

Characteristics of project

Uniqueness
Change
Sub contracting
Multidisciplinary
Conflicts

Project Management
Project Management refers to the management
of projects which are temporary, non routine
undertaken for producing a definite product or
offering an unique services
It uses a set of tools, techniques, principles &
methods for planning & executing the project
work effectively with the objective of completing
the project in time & within the budget according
to the laid down specifications

Attributes of a good project

Manager

Planning Skills
Personnel Management Skills
Communication Skills
Change orientation
Ability to solve problems
High energy levels
Ambition for achievement
Ability to take decision

Sympathetic attitude towards employees

Ability to develop alternative actions quickly
Knowledge of Project Management & tools
Ability to make self evaluations
Effective time management
Integration skills
Initiative & risk taking ability
Familiarity with organization
Tolerance for difference in opinion

Knowledge of Technology
Conflict resolving skills
Team building skills
Resource Allocation skills
Entrepreneurial skills
Solving issues/problems immediately

Project Classification
Based on type of activity
Industrial
Non Industrial
Based on Location
National
International
Based on Project Time Completion
Normal
Crash

 Based on ownership
Private Sector
Public Sector
Joint Sector
Based on size
Small
Medium
Large

 Based on Need
New Project
Balancing Project
Expansion Project
Modernization Project
Replacement Project
Diversification Project
Backward Integration Project
Forward Integration Project

Project life cycle

Project life cycle

Conception phase

Definition phase

Planning and organising phase

Operational phase

Checking and feedback

Project organization

THE PMS ROLES

Facilitator
Manager-as-supervisor versus manageras-facilitator
Systems approach versus analytical
approach
Suboptimization

Must ensure project team members have

appropriate knowledge and resources
Micromanagement

Communicator
Figure 2-1 Communication Paths Between a
Projects Parties-At-Interest

Virtual Project Manager

Geographically dispersed projects
Communication via
Email
Web
Telephone
Video conferencing

Never let the boss be surprised!

THE PMS
RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE
PROJECT

Three Overriding
Responsibilities
Acquiring resources
Getting necessary quantity and quality can be
key challenge

Fighting fires and obstacles

Leadership and making trade-offs

Negotiation, Conflict Resolution,

and Persuasion
Necessary to meet three overriding
responsibilities

SELECTION OF A PROJECT
MANAGER

Key Criteria
Credibility - The PM is believable
technical credibility
administrative credibility

Sensitivity - Politically smart and aware of

interpersonal conflict
Leadership, Style, Ethics - Ability to
direct project in ethical manner

FITTING PROJECTS IN THE

PARENT ORGANIZATION

Figure 2-2 The Pure Project

Organization

The Pure Project Organization

Advantages

Effective and efficient for large projects

Resources available as needed
Broad range of specialists
short lines of communication

Drawbacks
Expensive for small projects
Specialists may have limited technological depth
May require high levels of duplication for certain
specialties

Figure 2-3 Functional Project

Organization

Functional Project Organization

Advantages
technological depth

Drawbacks
lines of communication outside functional
department slow
technological breadth
project rarely given high priority

Figure 2-4 Matrix Project

Organization

Matrix Project Organization

Advantages
flexibility in way it can interface with parent
organization
strong focus on the project itself
ability to manage fundamental trade-offs across
several projects

Drawbacks
violation of the unity of command principle
complexity of managing full set of projects
conflict

Figure 2-5 Mixed Project

Organization

Copyright John Wiley & Sons, Inc