Introduction to Project and Project management topics.
- Concept of project: Project is a temporary unique and progressive
attempt or endeavour made to produce some kind of tangible or intangible
result, it is an integrated effort made for achievement of certain objective
within certain time. It includes a series of interrelated tasks that are
planned for execution over a fixed period of time and within certain
requirements and limitations such as cost, quality, performance and others.
- Characteristics of a project: project has
several characteristics. The main characteristics of project includes the
following features:
1.
set of objectives: a project has mission or a set
of objectives to be achieved with in a distinct time, cost and technical
performance. Once the mission is achieved project is treated as complete.
2.
Ownership: every project has an owner. Who in the
private sectors can be an individual or a company. In the public sector
government or government undertaking, and in a joint sector organisation, the
ownership of a project can be represented by a partnership of public and
private sector .
3.
Terminal stage: a project cannot continue
forever. It has to terminate at some time or the other. the set of objective
indicates the terminal stage of the project.
4.
Teamwork: every project is planned, managed and
controlled by an assigned team, the project team to achieve the objective as
per specification,
5.
uniqueness: a project is unique and no two
project is similar, even though the inputs, processing, and the results of two
projects are identical. The nature of an organisations, and available
infrastructures, location of the project, the people associated with a project
make project unique.
6.
Risk and uncertainty: every project has risk and
uncertainty associated with it. The risk is perceived to be variability of actual
returns from the estimated returns and uncertainty about future leads to
variations in returns. The degree of risk and uncertainty also vary during the
life cycle of a project. An ill-defined project has a high degree of risk and
uncertainty in comparison of a well-defined project.
7.
Subcontracting: a substantial portion of each and
every project is performed by subcontracting. the greater the complexity of a
project, the greater will be the extent of work performed by subcontractor.
8.
Customer specific: project is always customer
specific the requirements and constraints within which project is executed are
generally stipulated by the customer or are planned. Considering the
beneficiary customer.
9.
Life cycle: every project has a start and a
terminal point .characteristics of life cycle represented by growth, maturity
decay, the organisation of project changes as it passes through this cycle.
10.
Management of change: changes is a natural
phenomena with every project throughout its life-cycle. Project very during its
life span in term of technology, equipment, material machinery, people, work
ethics and organisation culture. Some changes in these variables may not have
any major impact, but some other may change the very nature of project.
Therefore, the interrelationship and management of change between these
variable is required for successful completion of a project.
11.
Unity in diversity: a project is a complex set of
thousands of different activities which remains interrelated with each other.
Although these activities which remains interrelated with each other, although
this activity differ in terms of materials, machine, equipments, technology,
people, ethics, work culture etc. At these are essentially interrelated during
different stages of project.
- - Project management: Project management
is a carefully planned and organised effort to accomplish successful project. Project
is a temporary unique and progressive attempt or endeavour to produce a
specific result.
Project management includes developing a project plan, which includes
defining and conforming the project goals and objectives, identifying task and
how goals will be achieved. Quantifying the resources needed , determining
budget and timelines for a completion. It also includes managing the
implementation of the project plan, along with operating regular to ensure that
there is accurate and objective information on performance related to the plan
and the mechanism to implement recovery action when necessary. Project usually
follows major features or stages, including feasibility, defining, project
planning, implementation, evaluation and support / maintenance.
- Benefits of project management.
1.
Better efficiency in delivering services: project
management provides a roadmap that is easily followed and leads to project
completion. Once we know what to avoid the bumps and pots holes, it stands to
reason that we are going to be working smarter and not harder and longer.
2.
Improved customer satisfaction: whenever you get
a project done on time and under budget, the client walk away happy in a happy
client is one you will see again.
3.
Improved growth and development within team:
positive results not only command respect, but more often than inspire team to
continue to look for ways to perform more efficiently.
4.
Greater standing and competitive edge: this is
not only a good benefit of project management within the workplace but outside
of it as well; Word travels fast and there is nothing like superior performance
to secure your place in the marketplace.
5.
Opportunities to expand your services: a by-product
of greater standing, greater performance lead to more opportunities to succeed.
6.
Increased in quality: because of better
efficiency and better strategies, we can achieve said goals with specific time
and cost parameter.
7.
Greater flexibility: perhaps one of the greatest
benefit of project management is that it allows for flexibility. smarter
decision and direction help to adapt according to environment.
8.
Change management: change is a natural phenomena
with every project throughout its life-cycle, project very during its life span
in term of technology, equipment, material,machinery people, work ethics and
organisation culture. Some changes in these variables may not have any major
impact, but some others may change the very nature of a project. Therefore, the
interrelationship and management of change between these variable is required
for successful completion of a project.
- Phase of project life-cycle;
A project is a temporary unique and progressive attempt or endeavour
made to produce some kind of tangible or intangible result (a unique product,
service, benefit, competitive advantages etc) project is a temporary and it has
a beginning and end. It starts and goes through different phases and finally
ends, this is called life-cycle. Life cycle of project becomes different
according to nature of the project. Even the life cycle of similar nature
project may be different based on time, place and environment. Generally, when
the phase ends next phase starts in a project.
In some projects other phase starts even before completion of any
earlier phase. There are four phase of project life-cycle
1.
conceptual phase: it is the first phase of
project life-cycle, during conceptual phase, the project needs and purposes
identified. Conceptual decisions are taken on what is the problem, how to solve
it, how much it cost, how long it needs, what type of machinery or tools are
needed, from where to collect financial resources, what are the special
objectives of the project etc, this phase indicates the success or failure of
project, so the project operators should be careful in this phase.
The important task in this phase are
defined and explained the project, need and purpose.
State the problem to be solved by the project.
Identify the project solution.
Lists the benefits to be gained upon successful project completion.
develop the project concept.
Perform feasibility analyses to prove the project is technically
feasible and economically viable.
Identify how the project relates to other dependent project running in
parallel.
Set security to the project.
Defined options to proposed solution.
2.
Planning and organizing phase: the second phase
will include a detailed identification and assignment of each task until the
end of the project. In this state, the team identifies all of the work to be
done. The projects, tasks and resource requirements are identified, along with
the strategy for project. A project plan is created, outlining the activities,
task, dependencies and time frames. The project manager coordinate The
preparation of a project budget by providing cost estimate for the labor,
equipment and material costs.
The basis task in the planning phase of a project.
Define the scope through decomposing project work into smaller action
items, such as tasks and activities.
Develop the project schedule based in activity duration estimates.
Create the risk management plan based on the risk assessment.
Identify types and quantity of resources (labor, fund technology,
inventory, land, etc) required for the project.
Develop a budget sheet based on cost objectives.
Create the communication plan.
Determined the controls, including tracking pussy dudes reporting
rules change management process is you.
Design the quantity management plan.
Develop the procurement plan.
Like the handover plan that explains deliverance and acceptance
criteria and how to hand over the product to the customer
prepare the project plan that is based on the data of the
subsidiary plan.
3.
Implementation phase: in this phase, the improved
project plan is converted into reality to achieve the project objective. The
implementation phase is the most important phase takes more than 89% of the
time of project. It is important to maintain control and communication.
Progress is continuously monitored and appropriate adjustments are made and
recorded a variation from the original plan.
It includes the fun task.
Start executing the project plan.
•
Monitored and controlled changes made to the key
parametres such as scope, time, cost, quality, risk
•
management stakeholders expectations and
communication.
•
Report performance through starters, reports and
meeting
•
manage various requests
•
confirm the planned results are produced
4. Termination or
closure phase: all the objectives of the project are achieved in this phase.
Necessary documents, files, reports, including all the properties of the
project is handed over to the concerned body customer. Satisfaction is given
priority. Bank accounts of the project are closed and final audit is done.
Employees and workers are given good by and the project is closed
- Project
environment: Project operates in dynamic
environment. Environment consists of forces that influence the projects ability
to achieve its objective. in order to achieve the goals, project must
continuously adopt to its environment. Failure to adopt to the environment is a
major cause due to which project fails.
Project environment
can be classified into.
Internal
environment
task environment
external
environment
internal
environment: it is located within the project. It is controllable by the
project. It provides strength and weakness to the project. The forces in the
internal environment consists of
project objective:
objective is the desired outcomes or in the result of the project project must
be focused on objective. It's ceases to exist when the objective is achieved.
Constraints: a
project operates within the constraints of cost, time and quality. They
determine the scope and boundaries of the project.
Structure: a
project is a temporary organisation organisation structure is overall framework
for different roles, functions and authority. It includes individual groups
unique and relationship between them. It provides a hierarchy for effective
flow of instruction and feedback within the project organisation
resources: Project
have a human and nonhuman resources, the human resources includes specialized
experts and managerial personnel. Research availability sets a limit on project
activities
Task environment:
the task environment of a project is made of of stakeholders. They are either
involved in the project or other interest are affected by the project they
affect the project activity project cannot control the tax environment, but can
directly influence it.
The elements of
project task environment are
a.
customer: project is custom made. It satisfies
the needs of the customer. The customer specifies the term of reference, the
customer greatly influences the project. The project should be focused on
customer needs.
b.
Contractor: a project involves highly labor of
contracting and subcontracting the greater the complexity, the greater the
level of contracting, the constructors influence project progress
c.
consultants: the project activities requires
professional expertise. So consultants are higher for various activities during
the Friend Feed does consultants influence the project activities directly
through the professional services.
d.
Suppliers: projects depend on supplier for
procurement of equipment, materials, service and labor ,they affect
efficiency, quality and settled of project through the delivery timing
,projects will build a good relationship with suppliers
e.
government: the policies, attitude and
facilisation by government support or constraints, projects. Projects will
comply with government regulation and directions. This should be environment
friendly
f.
financiers: the financiers of the project can be
owners, shareholders, institution or foreign donors. They greatly affect fund
mobilization for the project.
g.
Competitors:
competition requires companies to become more efficient in order to compete.
Thus competition affects the project
h.
Labor
unions: Unionization is increasing in project. Labor relation need to be
effectively managed by project. Industrial disputes leading to strikes or
lockout can adversely affect project progress.
3.
External Environment: It is located outside of project. It cannot be
controlled. The project can indirectly influence it. the force of external
environment are
a. Economic environment: Economic growth rate, income distribution, economic health , inflation , fiscal policies, and foreign aid are important economic forces in the project environment which affect project activates
b. Technological environment: the level of technology, pace of technological change and changes in wok method greatly affect projects. Computerization, robotization , automation and information technology have had profound impact on projects
c. Political legal Environment: Politics of local, national and international government and the regulatory agencies of the government affect project activities. Uncertain political climate is bad for project's health
d. social cultural environment: project should be sensitive to socio cultural change. The forces can be demographics, life style, social values, tradition, belief, religion, attitude, art culture etc. Such forces affect the project team and the stake holders of the project
a. Economic environment: Economic growth rate, income distribution, economic health , inflation , fiscal policies, and foreign aid are important economic forces in the project environment which affect project activates
b. Technological environment: the level of technology, pace of technological change and changes in wok method greatly affect projects. Computerization, robotization , automation and information technology have had profound impact on projects
c. Political legal Environment: Politics of local, national and international government and the regulatory agencies of the government affect project activities. Uncertain political climate is bad for project's health
d. social cultural environment: project should be sensitive to socio cultural change. The forces can be demographics, life style, social values, tradition, belief, religion, attitude, art culture etc. Such forces affect the project team and the stake holders of the project
- Skill requirement of project manager
1. Techniqal skill:
a. He should able to understand technology involved in project
b. Evaluate technical concepts and solution
c.Communicate in technical terms with project team
2. Management skills
a. Planning and control skills
b. Organization skills
c. Decision making skills
1. Techniqal skill:
a. He should able to understand technology involved in project
b. Evaluate technical concepts and solution
c.Communicate in technical terms with project team
2. Management skills
a. Planning and control skills
b. Organization skills
c. Decision making skills
d. Human resource management skill
e. Leadership skills
f. Budgeting skills
3. Human skill: they are ability to get along with people and get the jobs done through people
4. Conceptual skill: its refers to to the ability to form concept, such skills includes thinking creativity, formulating abstractions, analyzing complex situation., solving problems etc
5. Team building skills:they are ability to integrate people from many disciplines and department into an effective team.
e. Leadership skills
f. Budgeting skills
3. Human skill: they are ability to get along with people and get the jobs done through people
4. Conceptual skill: its refers to to the ability to form concept, such skills includes thinking creativity, formulating abstractions, analyzing complex situation., solving problems etc
5. Team building skills:they are ability to integrate people from many disciplines and department into an effective team.
- Project Manager Responsibilities
A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the success of projects. Below is responsibilities list for a project manager.
* Manage the project taking into account integration across all areas.
* Engage with stakeholders.
* Develop Project Plan.
* Direct project resources.
* Monitor and manage the project
A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the success of projects. Below is responsibilities list for a project manager.
* Manage the project taking into account integration across all areas.
* Engage with stakeholders.
* Develop Project Plan.
* Direct project resources.
* Monitor and manage the project
schedule.
* Monitor and manage the project budget.
* Monitor and manage the project risk.
* Deal with operational issues.
* Organize steering committee meetings, including ensuring that minutes will be taken.
* Report to the steering committee, raising strategic issues.
* Prepare Project Status Reports and Project Change Requests for the steering committee.
* Ensure project meets requirements and objectives .
* Manage project team members.
* Negotiate and resolve issues as they arise across areas of the project and where they impact on other activities, systems and projects.
* Look after the interests of the project team.
* Organize and chair project reference group meetings, as appropriate.
* Communicate project status to project sponsor, all team members, and other relevant stakeholders and involved parties .
* Maintain project documentation.
* Monitor and manage the project budget.
* Monitor and manage the project risk.
* Deal with operational issues.
* Organize steering committee meetings, including ensuring that minutes will be taken.
* Report to the steering committee, raising strategic issues.
* Prepare Project Status Reports and Project Change Requests for the steering committee.
* Ensure project meets requirements and objectives .
* Manage project team members.
* Negotiate and resolve issues as they arise across areas of the project and where they impact on other activities, systems and projects.
* Look after the interests of the project team.
* Organize and chair project reference group meetings, as appropriate.
* Communicate project status to project sponsor, all team members, and other relevant stakeholders and involved parties .
* Maintain project documentation.
Categories or Classification of Project:
A project is a temporary unique and progressive attempt or endeavor made to produce some kind of a tangible or intangible result.There are several types of project , they are
a. labor intensive project
b. capital intensive project
c. Indigenous project
d. Joint venture project
e. Bilateral project
A project is a temporary unique and progressive attempt or endeavor made to produce some kind of a tangible or intangible result.There are several types of project , they are
a. labor intensive project
b. capital intensive project
c. Indigenous project
d. Joint venture project
e. Bilateral project
a.
Labor intensive project: if
the activities of project depend on labor, it is called labor intensive
project. Labor intensive project are usually operated in developing countries.
The success of project depends on the efficiency of labor. Skilled and
efficient works are given high priority.
b.
Capital intensive project: if the activates of
a project depend on modern technology or automatic machine it is called capital
intensive project. Usually developed countries use huge capital , sophisticated
technology and skilled manpower to run project
c.
Indigenous project: the project
which is operated with a country's own tradition, vision, thought and style is
called indigenous project. It is totally local or home country project.
Indigenous project helps to protect tradition and culture of the country.
d.
Joint venture project: the
project established with the joint effort and investment of two or more
persons, firms or countries is joint venture project. So joint venture project
may be indigenous or foreign.
e.
Bilateral Project: the project
which is operated with special agreement between two counties is called
bilateral project. Bilateral project helps to build bilateral relationship in
between two different countries and accelerates economic growth of the country.
f.
Multilateral project: the
project which is operated with special agreement between two or more countries
is called multilateral project. Group of developed countries operate such
projects in developing countries for the development of health , education
communication , irrigation and so on example: UNDP, WHO,UNICEF etc
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