--- Welcome to my Blog of Project Management ---
I am just going to jot down a few thoughts I have about Project Management (PM) and see where it goes---
PM is everywhere, we have mini projects going on all of the time. Maybe not well run projects, but we are always somehow a part of a project. In stating this I really wonder how many of us would be more successful if we were aware of this fact and really approached our goals with a "process" and objectives. First let's think about the "project" -- every project contains three parts Cost, Time, Scope-- so if I know that when I begin my "new project" these three element are going to be incorporated. But what holds them together-- better yet, WHAT ARE THEY??
Okay, to make sure we are all on the same page, let's back up and look at this word that seems to get thrown around, but is NEVER really defined --- MANAGEMENT! What does this really mean? It sounds important and people have perceptions of what MANAGEMENT is, but perceptions are biased and we need an unbiased understanding. Webster defines it like this 1) the act or art of managing; 2) the skill of managing; 3) the people who manage. Webster also has the words Control and Direction associated with this word.
So really "Management" is an art/skill as an act carried out by people. It somehow refers to being in "control" and providing "direction". Notice that in the definition it is "action" not thought! This would indicate that good management MUST be "active"! HMMMMM
Now lets look at what a "Project" is--- Webster defines it as 1) a specific plan or design 2) scheme 3) a planned undertaking (task or problem). So a project is a specific plan/scheme that is planned to resolve a task or problem.
OK -- so here is what I would say PM is --
Project Management is " A specific design of task(s) that are planned and carried out by the skills of people to resolve a problem."
Tell me what you think-- give me your ideas -- we are just starting so lets get the ideas on the table!
9 comments:
I like what you said in class that a project is simply a beginning and an end.
All I have to add to that is the stuff in the middle is work.
There is so much here in these little paragraphs. You could actually go on for hours. I will just pick out the part on a unbiased perception. I believe that management is accountability and stewardship.
You have a task and a goal. You have the time it's going to take and the people it's going to involve. As the leader of the project you are the one who has to take action on the good and the bad just the professor said at the end of the post. I think the "Project" is the road we are on to get the final result. It should be the fun part of managing.
What stuck out to me the most was the aspects of a project. Cost, time and scope. This is something I rarely think about when I take on a project and I end up getting overwhelmed or cutting myself short (underquoting or something to that extent).
I am very excited to take this class. I really think it is going to help me learn now to run a freelance business out of my home, and learn what projects to take on, and exactly how to tackle them.
"Webster also has the words Control and Direction associated with this word."
I think this is key to understanding Project Management. Sure, you've got the power of control over the project, but you also have the great responsibility to provide direction to the project--to bring it to its fruition.
Of course, every stage of the project is very important, but I believe that the planning phase is the most important. A poorly planned project is sure to either fail, or be riddled with errors, budget problems or delays. I have learned this from personal experience, and I have realized what a huge difference a well-planned project makes.
A successful Project Manager must possess leadership, communication skills, be able to visualize the project, be organized, and be able to identify weaknesses, to name a few qualities.
In response to your blog. I like the definition but would also add what you said in class; project management has a beginning and an end.
Something that caught my eye in the book was classifying projects as compliance and emergency, operational, or strategic. Though most the projects I do are operational and sometimes strategic, they all feel like they are emergency!
I think its important to categorize your project needs from the beginning to understand the best timeline for a project.
i feel that communication with others on the project is very essential and imperative. With one team member not "throwing" ideas around this can hinder the creative process that all must act upon and direct.
Does a project manager on the big projects have to know every little detail of each persons job to be the project manager?
I understand the meaning behind what a project manager does, I guess my only question is does a project have to have a beginning and an end?
Does a project have to have more than one person? If not then how can you have a project manager?
These are just a few of my thoughts about the subject.
Mary W
I think what's very interesting is how one has "projects" everyday. Like you mentioned in class cleaning the house. After class and reading the textbook, I started thinking about all the projects I had going on that I didnt even think about as a "project".
I think that project managers have to be skilled in a lot of areas. Like in the blog it mentions the "art of managing". It really is! You have to know about and be able to coordinate a bunch of technical stuff as well as "control" and interact with the people involved in the project. To me, that sounds like a lot. I'm excited to learn about all of it in this class!
I have heard the 'time, cost, and scope' aspects because of an Adobe Illustrator class I had a couple of semesters ago. My class had to do with learning the software, ut also getting us ready for the job market and what companies are looking for.
My professor discussed how to charge a client on what ever project they were hiring us for based on the pyramid of these three aspects = time (the time it would take to complete the project), cost (the dollar amount of money the client would owe), and scope (the amount of detail or creativity involved in the final project).
My professor explained that the client wants the best deal (of course) so they would want their project done 1)fast, 2)cheap, 3)very creative. But we would obviously lose money if we gave them everything so my prof said to offer them a choice. They can have 2 out of 3. It could either be cheap and quick but not complicated, have it cheap and detailed but it would take a lot of time, or fast and creative but expensive.
I very much liked the way he explained this and I feel it applies here as well. I alays keep these in mind.
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