Project
Management Methodology
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 Methodology
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 a Project Management Methodology
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 Methodology is 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 this Project
Management Methodology to your management staff? You can hire an
experienced consultant to pass on the Project Management Methodology
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 Methodology 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 Methodology 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 is many
formal Project Management Methodology that combines 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
Methodology varies in scale and complexity but all are based around
a small core of common sense principles. Project Management
Methodology 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 Methodology is 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 Methodology is a
basic, disciplined, structured approach to managing projects. It
addresses all phases of project management from conceptualization to
completion. Project Management Methodology integrates scope,
quality, time, costs, risk, human resources, contract, and
communications management.
The general
Project Management Methodology highlights and provides 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 this Project
Management Methodology 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
Methodology risk cost overruns, schedule overruns, and potential
project failures.
Project
Management Methodology typically includes 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.