Project Management Definition and its Phases

Q. What is Project Management ? What are the Phases of Project Management

Ans:-Project management is the application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the project objectives. General. A project is a unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives, which could be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes or benefits.

Project Management

Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) defines project management as "the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to a broad range of activities in order to meet the requirements of a particular project." The process of directing and controlling a project from start to finish may be further divided into 5 basic phases:

1. Project  Initiation

An idea for a project will be carefully examined to determine whether or not it benefits the organization. During this phase, a decision making team will identify if the project can realistically be completed.

2. Project Planning and Design

A project plan, project charter and/or project scope may be put in writing, outlining the work to be performed. During this phase, a team should prioritize the project, calculate a budget and schedule, and determine what resources are needed.

3. Project Execution

Resources' tasks are distributed and teams are informed of responsibilities. This is a good time to bring up important project related information.

4. Project Monitoring and Control
Project managers will compare project status and progress to the actual plan, as resources perform the scheduled work. During this phase, project managers may need to adjust schedules or do what is necessary to keep the project on track.

5. Project closing

After project tasks are completed and the client has approved the outcome, an evaluation is necessary to highlight project success and/or learn from project history.

Projects and project management processes vary from industry to industry; however, these are more traditional elements of a project. The overarching goal is typically to offer a product, change a process or to solve a problem in order to benefit the organization.

Phases of Project Management

Project Management Syllabus

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Unit 1: 

Introduction, Structures and Frameworks of Project Management  -  Introduction 

of  the  project,  Historical  Perspective,  Definition,  Current  Issues,  Relationship  between
general  Management  and  Project  Management,  Project  Management,  Knowledge
Management  Base,  Project  Model,  4  phase  of  project  management,  7-S  of  Project
Management, The project environment, Complexities of project,

Unit  2:  
Strategy,  Project  Management  and  Project  Definition  -  Why  Strategy,
Organizational Strategy and Projects, Project Management as a strategic capability, Resource
Coordination,  Project  and  organizational  goals,  project  performance  measurement,
Developing  the  concept,  Scope  Management,  Project  Process,  Work  Breakdown  Structure,
Process Mapping, Establishing Check Points, Stakeholder Management, Project Management
Software

Unit 3: 
Time  Planning and Critical Chain Project Management  -  The Process, Gantt
Charts,  Estimating,  Activity  on  Arrow  and  Critical  Path  Analysis,  Activity  on  Node
Diagrams, Activity on Arrow vs. Activity on Node, Scheduling, Computer Assisted Project
Planning, Fast Track Projects, Project Evaluation and Termination

Unit 4:  
Cost and Quality Planning  -  Cost Planning, Cost Estimating, Cost Build up, Cost
Budget, Quality Planning Process, Quality Conformance and quality performance planning

Unit 5: 
Plan Analysis and Risk Management -  Analyzing Time Plan, Analyzing Cost Plan,
Analyzing Quality Plan, Risk Management, and Risk Quantification Technique

Unit  6:  
Project  Organization:  Structure  and  Teams  -  Role  of  team,  Pure  Project
Organization,  Matrix  Management,  Structure  Selection,  Team  Work,  Life  Cycle  of  Team,
Managing personalities in a team, Effective Team Work


Suggested Readings:
1.  Project Management, Maylor 3rd Edition,
2.  Project  Management:  Achieving  Competitive  Advantage  &  MS  Project,  Pinto
(Publisher)
3.  Project Management, Meredith, Mantek,7th Edition, Wiley India
4.  Project Management and Control, Narendra Singh, Himalaya Publishing House
5.  Project  Management;  Strategic  Decision  and  Implementation,  David  Cleland,
McGraw-Hill