What is Project Management?

Posted on Oct 14, 2011 Add a comment

A project is any task which is temporary which requires planning and preparation and the organization of materials. It can be as large as building a house or as complex as planning a successful wedding. Temporary is relative because a house can take months to build.  There are, however, usually constraints of time and money. This is where the skill of the experienced Project Manager plays its part.

For the person who likes being in charge and organizing this is an exciting job because it entails details and ensuring that materials are decided, ordered and delivered at the appropriate moment. On a big project like a building site it is a waste of money to have workmen and craftsmen hanging around waiting for the delivery of materials which are needed before the next stage can be completed. This means a thorough understanding of the processes involved in the given task are needed so that the operation runs smoothly.  Like any job well done it should be seamless and appear to be easy.  This is where negotiating with suppliers and contractors is important.

The Project Management process

There are a number of stages involved in Project Management. The most important is to agree specifications, the terms of reference.  Specifications detail or what is wanted whether a building, moving materials from one country to another, a wedding, a tourist trip requiring transport or anything which needs careful preparation and cannot happen spontaneously.   This lays the foundation for everything else that follows because it is the information about what the project involves.

The next stage is to plan the project.  How long will it take, who will do the work, what activities are involved and what resources are needed. This is the time to build in contingency plans for those, inevitable, events which occur which cost time and money.  Delays are expensive, They might be caused by a natural disaster, bad weather, a strike, anything which halts the process. Thinking ahead and being prepared is part of the planning.

Having thought through every detail, communicating with those who need to know is vital. When everyone involved understands what the project is and what is expected half the difficulty is resolved. Keeping all involved informed and liaising with them keeps their interest and their keenness.

Part of the process of planning is to assign specific jobs to specialist people. Delegating is a fine art and trusting those who have the experience and listening to their input is vital. Being able to delegate relieves the pressure on the project manager.  This is why knowing the workforce and who has the skills necessary and therefore choosing them to complete the work, is important. For instance an electrician is a professional.  At the same time the project manager needs to have a basic understanding of the electrician’s work, the law and what he or she needs. The project manager does not expect to do the job. His or her skills lie elsewhere. Having a project management certificate will help in further enhancing one’s career and in addition will add more credibility.

Motivation and Support

Nearly every large project goes through a stage when progress seems to be poor and the workforce loses heart. Often this happens well into the work and the preparation stage seems to go on for ever and it is easy to lose sight of the finished product.  This is the time when good people management is needed to motivate and encourage the staff through this stage.

At every stage of the project, a good manager will check that the work is on time and of the right quality, measure, monitor and review how the work is going.  Keeping the workforce informed and praised as much as possible helps.  An important part of the work of project management is to maintain control of everything within the job. That way there should be few unpleasant surprises.

On completion of the project, the details can be seen, what planning was less than good, what worked well are all part of the learning tools of a competent Project Manager. There is nothing like experience to give confidence and teach the person what to be cautious about.

A good and experienced Project Manager for a big job is an extremely valuable person.  Such a reputation is hard earned.

Project management is a way into a wide variety of work. Anything from staffing a company, IT and communications, plant, vehicles and equipment, financial administration, purchasing, sales, selling and marketing, Human Resources development and training, customer services, quality control, health and safety, legal and professional services, technology, science research and development, new business development and anything task which needs planning.

This is an exciting job which can take the interested person around the world as well as staying at home. To get started take a look at schools that offer a project management degree.

Top Project Management Certificate Programs
Baker College Online Baker College Online, headquartered in Michigan, is a part of the Baker College system, which was founded in 1911. Baker College is one of America’s largest private college systems, and Michigan’s largest, serving over 40,000 students. Baker College Online offers over 40 different degrees, accredited both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, of online programs and certificates.
Post Baccalaureate Certificate – Project Management and Planning
Boston University Boston University was founded as one of the first all-inclusive universities, as well as a leading private research and teaching institution. With 32,000 students from 50 states and 140 countries, BU is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. For over 150 years, Boston University has anticipated the changing needs of its students while serving the greater needs of society.
Certificate of Project Management Online Principles of Project Management Online Foundations of Project Management Online Comprehensive Project Management Online
Keller Graduate School of Management Wherever you want to go in your career, a graduate education from Keller Graduate School of Management can help get you there. Keller delivers the credibility you expect and the flexibility you need to help you gain your professional edge.
Graduate Certificate in Project Management
New Jersey Institute of Technology Our extensive Continuing Professional Education programs and online degree programs, academic certificates and courses offer important training and education for professionals. Our competitive industry partnerships help move you up the career ladder. NJIT’s extensive industry internship programs help with finding an internship or job.
Graduate Certificate – Technical Communications Essentials Graduate Certificate – Project Management Graduate Certificate – Information Technology Administration
Northcentral University Northcentral programs are designed to allow you to work full time, study on your schedule, share in a global experience and learn for first-rate professors. The University provides learners with a library, virtual bookstore, writing and dissertation center, academic advisors and more to make your experience successful.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Business – Project Management
View a complete list of colleges that offer Project Management Degrees Online