Project Management

Example 1. Project Management

Export to Outline

Project Management

• The Basics of Project Management
  • What is a project?
    • A one time, multi-task job that has clearly defined starting and ending dates, a specific scope of work to be performed, a budget, and a specified level of performance achievement.
  • Project Management is using a set of tools to:
    • Create a work plan.
    • Manage work.
    • Anticipate and solve problems.
    • Allocate resources.
    • Implement the plan.
  • Do you have a project to manage?
    • Projects must have multiple tasks.
• Define Success
  • There are many variables that contribute to project success.
  • Components of a Successful Project
• Become a Successful Project Manager
  • Top 5 Key Traits of Successful Project Managers
  • Determine Your Own Personal Strengths and Weaknesses
  • The Functional Manager vs. The Project Manager
    • Functional Managers:
    • Project Managers:
    • Your success as a project manager depends on knowledge, attitude, and flexibility.
  • Who Should Be Involved in the Project?
    • Identify specific people who should be involved in setting objectives and assure the project receives the necessary support and resources.
    • Fundamental expectations of the project manager are that:
      • They will provide a usable product or service
      • They will serve the customer professionally.
      • They will learn about the customers needs and address them effectively.
      • They will learn the project on time and within budget.
  • The Project Life Cycle
    • The project life cycle is the overall process used to manage and complete a project.
    • Each stage of the life cycle should be defined in a formal project plan.
• Clear Project Definition and Scoping
  • Take time to clarify the project definition and scope so you can ensure all customer requirements are understood.
  • Perform a Needs Analysis with Your Customers to Help Define the Project and Scope
  • Project Definition and Scope
  • Managing a Balanced Project
    • Projects are a balancing act. Define the project and identify how best to manage project resources.
    • Determine your project constraints by evaluating the availability of the 4 main resources: MONEY, MATERIALS, MACHINES, and PEOPLE.
    • Identify vulnerabilities and make the necessary adjustments.
    • Each day review: project schedule status, resource allocation, project expenditures against the budget.
  • Common Mistakes Made in the Define Stage
• Develop the Project Plan
  • Project planning is the process of creating and maintaining a "Game Plan".
  • The purpose of planning is to answer the who, what, when, how long, and how much.
  • Create the Project Plan-- The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • WBS Format
    • Standard
    • Outline
  • Estimating Time
    • Estimate Durations
    • Weighted Average Technique
    • Successful Estimating
      • A successful project manager has to be in tune with all aspects of the project.
      • Time estimates are a critical part of project planning.
      • 8 Tips for More Accurate Time Estimates:
  • Evaluating Project Risk
    • It is best to plan as if things may deviate from the original plan.
    • Risk Assessment
    • Elements of Risk
      • Time
      • Cost
      • People
  • Project Scheduling Models
    • Garnt Chart
    • PERT
• Avoid Project Pitfalls
  • Problems and Solutions
    • Lack of Information
    • Time Constraints
    • Personnel Changes
    • Financial Constraints
    • Over-allocation or Unavailability of Critical Resources
    • Loss of Team Member
  • Documentation, Documentation, Documentation
    • To maintain continuity in your project, keep a record of project activities.
    • A Project Notebook will increase communication and provide useful project information.
    • Benefits of a Project Notebook
  • Top Notch Communication
    • Successful project managers know the importance of good communication.
    • Keeps team on track and informs the project stakeholders and clients of project status.
    • What to Communicate and When...
      • Weekly
      • As Needed
      • Immediately
• Change Happens
  • Source of Change
  • Control Scope Creep
  • Help the Project Team Adjust to Changes
• Build a Strong Team
  • 7 Fundamentals of Strong Team
  • Team Problem Solving
  • Team Communication
    • Meeting Checklist
      • Schedule regular meetings.
      • Prepare an agenda.
      • Prepare yourself.
      • Manage meeting time.
      • Take minutes.
      • Insist on full participation.
      • Establish ground rules.
    • Team Meetings
• Project Management Software
  • Use of computers and project management software are helpful in successfully competing a project.
  • 4 Advantages of Using Computers in Project Management
  • Pinpoint Your Projects Specific Hardware and Software Requirements
    • Evaluation Methods
    • Installation and Conversion
    • Scheduling and Controlling
  • Selecting Project Management Software
    • Project Management Software can be simple and inexpensive or more complex and expensive.
    • Evaluate Software Options
  • Key Tips for Making the Right Software Choice
• Project Completion
  • A clean ending is as important as a smooth beginning.
  • The final task of a project manager is to finalize the project and conduct a formal review.

The Benefits for ConceptDraw MINDMAP Brainstorming Software

• ConceptDraw MINDMAP is effective for brainstorming, designing mind maps, idea generating, creative and lateral thinking, creativity and problem solving.
• ConceptDraw MINDMAP is ideal for team and personal work in Business, Marketing and Project Management.
• The libraries with large quantity of vector objects help to illustrate your mind maps and to make them bright, visual and comprehensible.
• Use of View Navigator tool lets create presentations from a mind map: you can simply select the map parts you want to present, sequence your slides, and preview the presentation.
• ConceptDraw MINDMAP provides wide capabilities of importing and exporting in various formats: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, MS Excel, Mindjet MindManager, image, HTML, PDF file.