In this article, I will be discussing three important aspects of project management: initiating, planning and executing. Whether you’re starting a new project, dealing with a complex or even routine aspect of your company, it is crucial that you’re aware of the proper means of implementing project management. As outlined on a prince 2 courses and training.
Project Initiating
The logistics of initiating a new project may seem straightforward and obvious, to this point. In most cases, you’ve been “with it” for a while and are familiar with your business or area area and are familiar with how a project should run. But do you have all the resources and acute information you need to make a start in the process, from conceptualization of the project all the way to its execution (if it’s a large set-up)?
The reason why most people get involved (and even finish the project) without a proper logistics system in place is either because it was easier to begin than it was to get going or it was easier to finish than it was to get started.
Project plans are not meant to be the definitive answer to every possible roadblock, concerns or anything else on the project plan. Project plans will always vary based on different circumstances, and even if their content and structure is somewhat similar they’ll be strained and changed for obvious reasons. The things you need to consider first are committee change and/or requirements, cost and budget, time, training, etc.
There’s a lot more to starting a project than just gathering resources and organizing them. The lack of proper logistics will show itself no matter what project you’ve just underway.
Project Planning
Project planning is the process of organizing resources, time and personnel, resources, etc., into a course of action that will lead to successful completion of the project. No question, it takes a lot of energy and work to formulate a plan for anything. And when it comes down to it, one poor plan will lead to failure and all that is wasted effort. There are multiples of the same plan, just as with any other type of plan. Project planning must be done in a standardized manner throughout, the project; otherwise, the plan can deviate from the standard and cause higher costs and more debts later.
Planning your project can be the largest single part of your project management system and will be on-going throughout. Effective planning requires superb planning, organize, and attention to detail. Just like any project, all the things you do and plan have to be purposeful and effective, as the plan must be.
Project Executing
The end goal of any project, but easier said than done is execution. Execution, the act of putting your project into immediate action once it came together, rushing through things to meet deadline, making sure things are delivered to the right people ahead of the deadline. Although will seem obvious, putting projects into immediate action should be more difficult than “planning” and as with most things, execution is far more important for a project than the things you plan for. Execution is what “success” boils down to and requires an act of “financial irresponsibility”, by which one “pays for everything.”
Many projects go into development and my intention here is to help others prioritize and better execute. Executing; good project management means a practical, productive system where you get; what you want; finally getting realistic, gain. That brings us to an end with two important things do or don’t know about project management.
Another thing that should be considered is the resources that one must have at hand. Remember that it’s not only what things are needed that affect execution, but it is necessary resources (time, energy, budget, etc) as well as adequate tools (e.g. software, CRMs, etc.) needs to be available.
Another thing is finding the right people to execute on that plan. Discipline, patience, being able to ask for what and what good things come up from others are also indispensable traits. Different people do different things differently. At the same time, no matter how much it matters, not everyone is cut out to be a project manager. Much of your success, even on simpler projects will ride on you bogging it down with work, so if you have no patience or other traits that came about of you being in management, it might be a burden to try and motivate the people that could make things easier, but definitely not make you viable for any ever management position.
Therefore the question is is there a way to test people out and their abilities to execute the plan. Recognizing capabilities can be done by excepting qualities and abilities that will be found in people from other jobs, successes, etc. That is one way. Another is to use the Service Oriented Delivery (SOD) theory.
