1. Introduction and project management

Project management

Project management is the application of processes, methods, knowledge and experience to achieve project objectives.

The process follows:

• Initiating the project
  • Defining the scope
    • Provide success criteria
      • Time
      • Cost
      • Quality
    • Major constraints and dependencies
    • Project Initiation Document / Specification
      • Protects client and project manager
      • Helps estimating
      • Assess initial risks
• Planning
  • Tasks
  • Cost / time estimation
  • Risk assessment
• Executing, monitoring and controlling
  • Life cycles
  • Stakeholders management
  • Group work

The benefit of a standard methodology:

• consistent terminology
• common understanding associated with roles
• consistent documentation across projects
• structure for development of new project managers
• greater mobility of staff between projects

A project is a “unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives, which could be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes or benefits. A project is usually deemed to be a success if it achieves its objectives.”