Project
Management Methodologies
It becomes
readily apparent to all that some sort of standardization approach
is necessary for the way that projects are managed, when companies
approach some degree of maturity in project management. The ideal
solution might be to have a singular Project Management
Methodologies for all projects, whether they are for new product
development, information systems, or client services. Some
organizations may find it necessary to maintain more than one
methodology, however, such as one methodology for information
systems and a second methodology for new product development.
The
implementation and acceptance of Project Management Methodologies
can be difficult if the organization’s culture provides a great deal
of resistance to-ward the change. Strong executive leadership may be
necessary such that the barriers to change can be overcome quickly.
These barriers can exist at all levels of management as well as at
the worker level. The changes may require that workers give up their
comfort zones and seek out new social
groups.
Project
Management Methodologies are vital to success of any project. You
can't achieve anything without a plan. Your company's strategies for
structuring and executing important projects must be skillfully
conceived and carried out. But how can you best impart these Project
Management Methodologies to your management staff? You can hire an
experienced consultant to pass on the Project Management
Methodologies that will help your company get ahead. Someone who has
taught hundreds of Fortune 500 employees important project
management skills will be the keenest weapon in your project
development arsenal. Only a qualified professional will wield the
teaching skills that will drive important lessons
home.
Project
Management Methodologies that Get Results: The decision-making
process is constant throughout every single phase. Developing a
standardized communication and review process is crucial. These
processes are best carried out using skills that can be learned and
honed at project management courses. Project Management
Methodologies that work? The resource management, scheduling,
portfolio management, and implementation strategies that get results
can be yours. The first step to take is to educate your workforce in
the key skills necessary.
There are many
formal Project Management Methodologies that combine a framework or
approach with a set of project tools and guidelines. Some are
‘proprietary’ approaches developed by consulting firms and software
houses whilst others are in the public domain. Project Management
Methodologies vary in scale and complexity but all are based around
a small core of common sense principles. Project Management
Methodologies that are commonly used in the public sector is PRINCE2
(PRojects IN Controlled Environments). This is the methodology
approved by government for public sector projects and was originally
designed to aid the development and implementation of information
systems.
Project
Management Methodologies are designed to assist project managers in
meeting project-related challenges by providing guidance on the
application of project management techniques within a framework that
recognizes the interactions between a project and the related
organizational environment. Project Management Methodologies are
basic, disciplined, structured approach to managing projects. They
address all phases of project management from conceptualization to
completion. Project Management Methodologies integrate scope,
quality, time, costs, risk, human resources, contract, and
communications management.
The general
Project Management Methodologies highlight and provide comprehensive
guidelines for effective project management and administration,
while providing sufficient flexibility to meet the needs of
individual projects and project managers. The scope of these Project
Management Methodologies addresses these key areas of project
management: planning and control, managing quality, and managing
people. The methodology may be used on any type of project,
regardless of size and/or duration, underlying technology,
application area, team composition, or organization type. It is
designed to be all encompassing, and provides the project manager
with the flexibility to adapt those aspects of the methodology that
best suit the particular project. It will also help ensure the
achievement of objectives and realization of project benefits.
Organizations that fail to utilize sound Project Management
Methodologies risk cost overruns, schedule overruns, and potential
project failures.
Project
Management Methodologies typically include four key phases: project
definition, project planning, project management and control, and
project close.
Project
Plan—Key activities of this phase include:
- Identifying
resources (people, equipment, funding, and other tools)
- Building an
initial schedule
- Identifying
roles and responsibilities
- Developing
and documenting a communication plan
- Developing
and documenting problem resolution procedures
- Developing
and documenting a risk management approach
- Developing
a detailed work plan
Project
Management and Control—Routine activities include:
- Monitoring
performance to work plan (i.e., comparing project actual to
estimates, performing variance analysis)
- Reporting on
project status and progress
- Reviewing
results via work product reviews
- Updating
project work plans as appropriate
- Reviewing
processes to identify areas of
improvement
Project Close:
The project close phase covers three main areas: transition of
project deliverables to operations, disbanding the project, and
conducting post-implementation reviews. To complete a project in an
effective manner, the project manager and other key stakeholders
identify detailed criteria defining the projects end; identify
project-related tasks to be completed before the project structure
is dismantled; and identify the organization or individuals
responsible for providing ongoing support for the final
deliverables. The project close phase will facilitate transitioning
the project into ongoing operations. After the projects objectives
have been achieved and all detailed work plan tasks are completed,
the project organization and environment are disbanded in an
organized manner, and a post-implementation review is performed to
evaluate the success of the project.
Project
Management Tools: There are a variety of project management tools in
use today. Some require a computer with supporting software, while
others can be used manually. Project managers should choose a
project management tool that best suits their management style. No
one tool addresses all project management needs. Program Evaluation
Review Technique (PERT) charts and Gantt charts are two of the most
commonly used project management tools. Project management software
packages are useful tools, but should be chosen wisely. Buyers may
wish to consider compatibility with current technical environment;
user support; user friendliness; and reliability before purchasing a
package.