An Introduction to Project ManagementAn Introduction to Project Management

presented by R. Anthony Mills, PMP® ITIL®

October 7, 2009

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What is a project?What is a project?

PROJECT = TEMPORARYPROJECT = TEMPORARY

PROJECT

A temporary endeavor undertaken to produce a unique product or service

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Examples of ProjectsExamples of Projects

• Organization Anniversary

• Building a website

• Monthly Organizational Meetings

• Family Trips

• Installing a computer network

• Major Dinner

• Research Project

• Birthday/Holiday Party

• Moving / Relocating Offices

• Creating & distributing a newsletter

Planning.Planning.

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Typical ProjectsTypical Projects

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What is a successful project?What is a successful project?

Customer requirements (requests) satisfied/exceeded

Completed allocated time frame (on schedule)

Completed within budget

Acceptance by the customer/sponsor (Satisfactory results)

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What is Project Management?What is Project Management?

• Project Management is the application of skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders– The purpose is prediction and

prevention, NOT recognition and reaction

– Avoid Accidental Project Management Foresight – have to see around

the curve to head off potential pitfalls & create solutions before things happen

Keep things in scope

Proactive vs. ReactiveProactive vs. Reactive

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Integration ManagementIntegration Management

• Making choices about where to concentrate resources and efforts, based on potential issues

• The integration effort also involves making trade-offs among competing objectives and alternatives.

Make it HappenMake it Happen

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Scope ManagementScope Management

• Process to ensure the project includes all required work, and only the work required, for successful completion.

• Primarily it is the definition and control of what “IS and IS NOT” included in the project

Manage ExpectationsManage Expectations

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Time ManagementTime Management

• Definition of Activities

– What are we going to do

• Sequencing of the Activities

– What order are we going to do them

• Development and control of the schedule

– When are we going to perform those activities

When do we do what we do.When do we do what we do.

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Cost ManagementCost Management

• Ensure the project is completed within the approved budget– Physical resources and

quantities required (people, equipment, materials)

– Budget Budget estimates Baseline estimates

Project Actuals

Manage CostsManage Costs

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Quality ManagementQuality Management

• Ensure the project meets the expectations (requirements)– Clearly Defined Quality

Performance Standards

– How those Quality and Performance Standards are measured and satisfied

– How Testing and Quality Assurance Processes will ensure standards are satisfied

– Continuous ongoing quality control

Satisfying ExpectationsSatisfying Expectations

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Human Resources ManagementHuman Resources Management

• Human Resources Management includes a variety of activities

– Among them

Deciding staffing needs

Whether to use independent contractors or hire employees

Recruiting, training and development to ensure high performing employees

Managing performance issues

Manage PeopleManage People

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• Determine– Who needs what information

– When they need it

– How it will be delivered

– How frequent will it be delivered

• Provide performance updates via status reporting

Communications ManagementCommunications Management

Who should know and when?Who should know and when?

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Risk / Issue ManagementRisk / Issue Management

• Risk Management– Create a risk mitigation strategy

– Are typically identified before the project begins

– Track risks and update

• Issues Management– Restraints to accomplishing project

tasks

– Typically identified throughout the project, and logged and tracked through resolution

– Issues not easily resolved are escalated for resolution

Manage ProblemsManage Problems

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Change ControlChange Control

• Define how scope changes are to be executed – Usually formal change control is

required for all of the following Scope Change Schedule changes Technical Specification Changes Training Changes

• All changes require collaboration and buy-in prior to implementation

What’s the Impact?What’s the Impact?

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Questions?