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Theme 2 - Types of Project Management

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1. Project and Project Management

1.1. What is a project?

  • A project is a task with a desired end point.
  • A key factor that distinguishes a project from the day-to-day operation of a company is that it has a defined product and timespan.

1.2. What is project management

  • Project management is the formal discipline for managing projects
  • The aim of project management is to ensure that projects are completed and that the end point is achieved
  • It is about reaching the end point predictably, to a given cost and within a planned amount of time

1.3. Your role as project manager

Ensure there is a clear understanding of why a project is being done, and what it will produce

  • Plan the project
    • to understand how long it will take and how much it will cost
  • Manage the project
    • to ensure that as the project progresses, it achieves the objectives you have defined within the time and cost specified
  • Complete the project properly
    • to make sure everything produced by the project is of the quality expected and works as required

1.4. Delivery and deliverables

  • Delivery means getting the things done you set out to do, and bringing the project to completion
  • Deliverables are what are to be delivered by a project
  • The deliverables are defined at the start of the project
  • Your success as a project manager is in delivering them in the planned time and to the expected cost

1.5. Project dimensions

Often a trade-off is needed between these elements. Finding the right balance is an important part of being a project manager.

  • 5 key elements of a project
    • Scope
    • Quality
    • Time
    • Cost
    • Risk

1.6. Key players

  • Customers
    • the persons or the organisations for which the project is being conducted. They usually pay money to another organisation in return for project.
  • Contractor
    • the organisation that is responsible for executing the project to the customers’ requirement.
  • End users
    • the individual or the organisation that will own and operate the project. It is not the same as the one who paid for the project

2. Project Management Types

2.1. The definition of project management

Project Management is the management discipline that plans, organizes and controls people, money and cash so that projects are completed successfully in spite of all the risks.

2.2. Project Types

  • Type 1: Civil Engineering, Construction, Petrochemical, Mining and Quarrying
    “A common feature is the physical work involved, their exposure to the public gaze, and their unappealing visual qualities during construction. They involve high risk, significant capital investment, rigorous management, and special attention to health and safety.”
  • Type 2: Manufacturing
    “A common feature is the production of a piece of specially designed hardware or machinery, for example, an aircraft, a ship, electronic equipment, or a land vehicle. Projects are usually undertaken in an indoor environment. A complex product may involve a consortium of companies and stakeholders across international boundaries.”
  • Type 3: IT Projects and Projects Associated with Management or Business Change
    “All companies, regardless of size, will probably need Project Management at some point. Whether this is to manage office relocation, introduce a new computer system, coordinate a marketing campaign, or develop and launch a new product or service. There are often no tangible outcomes, but successful implementation is imperative to business success, or survival.”
  • Type 4: Projects For Pure Scientific Research
    “These projects involve expanding human knowledge and making new discoveries. Objectives can be difficult to define, and timelines may fluctuate. Significant and continuous levels of commitment and investment required. Strict budgeting and monitoring necessary.”

2.3. Project Management Approaches

  • Phased Development
    • A project that is split into clearly defined categories of linear sequential activities and chronological progress. For example, conception, development, planning, launch, completion.
  • Agile Methods
    • A flexible method characterized by incremental, non-linear and iterative patterns of activity. Often used when progress is unpredictable.
  • Prototype Approaches
    • A project that involves the creation and development of an early version of a product or system (the prototype) that is build, tested and reconfigured until an acceptable version is ready for launch.

3. The project life cycle

3.1. Five project stages

An example of home decoration

  • Scope
    • How many rooms do I need to paint and decorate ?
  • Quality
    • How fastidious do I want to be ?
  • Time
    • How long will all this painting and decorating take to complete ?
  • Cost
    • How much money do I need to spend on paint and other materials ?
  • Risk
    • Are there dangers involved ? Will I not finish on time? Why? What might be the consequences ?

3.2. Traditional project life cycle

  • Phase 1 : Conception/Initiation
    • Stakeholders develop ideas concerning a new product, service, initiative or event
    • Initial scoping undertaken to gauge potential feasibility and support
  • Phase 2 : Definition/Planning
    • Feasibility studies undertaken
    • Checklists compiled
    • Proposals made
    • Project scope finalized
    • Strategy and design specification development and documentation completed
    • Resources scheduled
  • Phase 3 : Managing Launch/Execution
    • Standards and procedures agreed and deployed
    • Preparations and organization completed
    • Plans and instructions issued to all stakeholders
    • Work started
  • Phase 4 : Performance Control
    • Progress monitored
    • Control systems implemented
    • Workforce observed and encouraged
    • Performance data collected
    • Crisis management contingency plans, and associated processes and trigger points, understood by key stakeholders
    • Corrective measured implemented, if necessary
  • Phase 5 : Project Close
    • Formal project closure and handover of completed artifact to the client
    • Disposal of surplus stocks

3.3. Modern project life cycle

  1. Project Definition : Purpose and outline of the project articulated
  2. Preparation and planning : Declaration of required tasks, activities, responsibilities, resources and timelines
  3. Design : Declaration of network configuration and pattern of chronology, and interchangeability of tasks and activities
  4. Purchasing : Acquirement of necessary resources including goods and services required for project fulfillment
  5. Fulfillment : Make or build the project
  6. Completion and Handover : Test, commission and handover completed artifact to stakeholder users/customers