Project Management Introduction to PM

Project Management A group of multiple interdependent activities that require people and resources Characteristics of a project?

What is a Project? Single definable purpose, end product or result Can be cross-functional Unique and requires something new Unfamiliar Temporary A process to achieve a goal

Project Life-Cycle Uninformed Optimism Vague Concern Panic Wince and take it stage

What do we need to know? Goal Scope Objective Activities Duration of activities

What are constraints? Things that control your ability to bring a project to completion (SUCCESSFUL) –Quality –Cost –Schedule –People

Quality How good does it need to be? Specifications/Scope –End Product –Form fit function –Description of the end state

Deadlines When do we need it? How often? Project Schedule –Drop dead date? –Must have? –Start date? –Known/Unknown delays?

Cost How much can we spend? Project Budget –Firm Limit? –Profit? –Market Price? –Cost based vs. Price based costing –Trade-offs

People Teams are the Norm Team Membership? –Expertise? –Motivation? –Team Dynamics Change Leadership Communication Diversity

Guidelines for Meetings Clear goals/Agenda Ground rules Leaders Frequency Location Attendance Size Preparation Accountability Action Items

Project Series of activities that: –Has a clear objective –Has activities (start and end date) –Has constraints Quality/cost/schedule/people –Consumes Resources

Project Management Planning –Requirements definition –Quantity and quality –Resources Monitoring –Tracking progress –Analyzing impacts –adjusting

Successful Projects On schedule Within Budget Desired quality Efficient use of Resources

Obstacles? Complexity Special requirements Changing requirements Risks Technology

Benefits of PM Identification of Activities Identification of Responsibilities Minimization of Reporting Identification of Resources Identification of Constraints Identification of Risks Identification of Success Criteria