Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The five project management process groups

The genesis of a project starts with an idea. Then, thought must be put into the viability of this idea, along with a business case that must be presented to a possible sponsor. A project manager will examine the integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risks, and procurement of the project at hand.
When the project is approved, there are five stages or groups it must follow:



The project is defined, authorized, and the team is selected. Each phase of the project must have an initiation process in which needs and requirements are examined. A project charter is done as a way to recognize the existence of the project, and this charter also holds key information about the project, as well as stakeholders’ signatures. A stakeholder register must be created to identify all the people involved with the project. In addition, a Kick-off meeting is held to present the project, motivate the team, explain the goals, etc.

This stage is important to help execution run more efficiently. The project must be planned according to the needs of the organization. When planning, the project scope is established, as well as the work breakdown structure (WBS), the schedule to follow, the team contract, and the list of prioritized risks. Planning also involves establishing means of communication with team members, and assigning responsibilities for the various tasks that have been identified.

This is the longest process of the project because here, the products are actually created by the team. When execution starts, monitoring is needed to make sure the activities are completed adequately. Formal change requests must be documented and planning documents must be updated. A milestone report is helpful to acknowledge team progress, and to motivate them to move forward. In execution, problems and conflicts can arise, so, the project manager must resolve any issues that could hinder productivity.
This stage measures the progress achieved towards the project’s objectives, as well as the possible deviations from the plan, and the corrective actions needed. Changes to a project’s scope or schedule, for example, require that the project management plan is updated to reflect those changes. Other outputs include performance reports (to help the team work more effectively), and change requests.
First, the project manager must verify that all the deliverables are complete. Then, the product or service is provided to the sponsor, along with the project archives. Usually, a final report presentation takes place. The request for feedback is helpful to determine the degree of success of the project, as well as to create the lessons-learned report.

1 comment:


  1. Tag: PM201A57. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it

    1. Plan your day using time management techniques

    As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.

    If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.

    Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager

    2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations

    While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.

    Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.

    Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.

    3. Regularly communicate with your team

    Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.

    For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.

    4. Anticipate project setbacks

    Even the best-laid plans often go awry.

    Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.

    Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.

    Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.

    Related post: 92 free project management templates

    5. Stay focused on the details

    A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.

    Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.

    And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs


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