Project Management

Project Management is the field of management that deals with the planning, organizing, motivating and controlling of resources to accomplish projects efficiently and effectively. Project management demands both technical knowledge and management expertise. Unfortunately, here in the Philippines, there are many people who become project managers who have the technical know-how without having the necessary management training to handle projects.

To have a basic understanding of project management , you must understand and master its key elements. Some of the most important things to learn about project management are listed below to jumpstart your learning process:

Study the essential skills needed for a project manager. Besides good knowledge of the technical aspects of the project, there are other skills that the project manager must have or learn quickly. Foremost among the other capabilities needed are management and leadership skills. The ability to forecast, quantify and control costs must also be present in order to complete the project within the budget.

Learn the tools of project management. Due to the complexity of most projects, there is a need to use tools to enhance productivity and/or to manage the process. These range from simple tools like GANTT charts to sophisticated project management software.

Know the project life cycle. To gain an overview of the project management process, you must first study the project life cycle. This is summarized in four steps: initiation, planning, execution and closure. In project initiation, among the activities that are covered are the feasibility study of the project and the creation of the project charter. In the project planning stage, a detailed plan of the project is written; here, quotations from suppliers are requested to get accurate figures for the budget. The execution phase encompasses the most number of tasks. Here, the project manager would strive to control and monitor the schedule, budget, risks, and many other aspects of the project implementation. Finally, there is the closure phase. Assessments are made if the project objectives were attained and other tasks pertaining to the conclusion of the project are done.

Develop the project charter. The development of the project charter (also called the project definition or project statement) is one of the most critical initial steps in project management. Although it is considered a preliminary document, it is essential that all the vital elements like the scope, objectives, budget, participants and responsibilities are taken in sufficient detail and clarity so as to set the framework for the formal project agreement.

Read and understand PMBOK Guide. PMBOK means Project Management Body of Knowledge. This book is published by the Project Management Institute (the world’s leading professional organization for the project management profession) and contains generally accepted project management practices and standards. This book is one of the most recommended references for project managers.

Strive for customer satisfaction. Ultimately, it is not your standard but the customer’s perception that will determine if the project was a success. This is why the project manager must give prime importance to meet the customer’s desires and objectives. Project management i s a profession that takes years to gain proficiency in. This difficulty gives urgency for those new to the job to learn all that they can about the practice.

To know more about this subject , BusinessCoach, Inc. , a leading business seminar provider, conducts a seminar entitled, “Project Management Training.” Contact (02) 727-5628, (02) 727-8860, (0915) 205-0133 or visit www.businesscoachphil.com for details.

Click here to view details of the seminar: Project Management Fundamentals »

*Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. C-6, Sunday, July 21, 2013. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.