Introduction to Project Management

The Quick Reference Handbook

Anthony J. Matias

• Publisher: Matias & Associates, PC
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9780988230064
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Project Management
• Index: Business

Introduction to Project Management is a quick reference guide to the fundamentals of project management. It introduces all of the essential steps involved in managing projects in a variety of fields and industries, including IT solutions as well as general management applications. The key concepts, processes and tools of project management are presented clearly and simply together with hands-on case studies and access to a wealth of supplemental learning resources on the companion website. This unique guide can also serve as an effective training tool for individuals and groups within the management environment.

PART I: PLANNING AND LAUNCHING A PROJECT

1. DEVELOPING A PROJECT CHARTER

 

A. INTRODUCTION

When developing a Project Charter, it is important to fully understand the concept of a project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. It is essential to differentiate the concepts of projects and operations. Projects are different from operations in that they end when their objectives have been reached or the project has been terminated. No two projects are alike. However, all projects should go through the same Project Management Process, which is composed of Project Initiation, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Control. The final step is the Closing Process. This chapter will concentrate on the first process, Project Initiation.

The main purpose of Project Initiation is to facilitate the formal authorization and evaluate the proposed project. It includes two activities: developing the Project Charter and developing the preliminary Scope Statement. We will focus on developing the Project Charter. During this process the Charter is presented, and the project’s strengths and viability are evaluated.

A Project Charter is a document that officially recognizes the creation of a project and provides direction on the project’s objectives and management. Also it includes the authorization to utilize the organizational resources needed to complete the project. The charter defines partners and external stakeholders, the project management framework, roles, responsibilities and activities. Having a Project Charter will accomplish the following:

• Improve the client relationship
• Improve project sponsorship
• Recognize the role of senior management
• Improve the project management processes
• Improve communication
• Improve on-time and on-budget delivery of the project

The Project Manager has ultimate responsibility for seeing that the Project Charter is developed and approved. Because this document is an agreement among project stakeholders, no one party can develop the Project Charter alone.

We can now identify what goes into the Project Charter. The Project Charter Template provides the framework for an effective Project Charter. It supplies the structure within which the document can address the following:

• Project management procedures
• Project governance processes
• Formal risks and management issues
• Use and role of the project office
• Structured communication processes

 

B. KEY CONCEPTS

Project—A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.

Project Charter—A document that formally authorizes a project.

 

C. ILLUSTRATION: Project Charter Template

 

Access the Supplemental Study Materials online at http://www.mylearningcenteronline.com/project-management.html

2. BUILDING A PROJECT SCOPE DOCUMENT

A. INTRODUCTION

After developing a Project Charter, the next step is to develop a Project Scope. This is a document explaining the work that needs to be accomplished in order to deliver a product or service. Due to different views and ideas about what the project is supposed to achieve, many projects inevitably fail before they get started because the project description can be interpreted in different ways. The purpose of the Project Scope is to eliminate any ambiguity and ensure that everyone has the same...

Table of contents

• PART I: PLANNING AND LAUNCHING A PROJECT
• 1. DEVELOPING A PROJECT CHARTER
• 2. BUILDING A PROJECT SCOPE DOCUMENT
• 3. PROJECT TIME MANAGEMENT
• 4. PROJECT QUALITY MANAGEMENT
• PART I CASE STUDY
• PART II: MANAGING THE PROJECT
• 5. PROJECT BUDGETING
• 6. PLANNING FOR PROJECT COST
• 7. PROJECT COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
• 8. PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT
• PART II CASE STUDY