Project management until a few years ago was treated as a minor part of full-time duties. Today, the subject has developed into a separate field with many methodologies and definitions of its own. Adapting the project management method to current work standards is a challenge in many companies and corporations. The better defined the objectives and properly selected tools, the greater the chance that the project will be successfully implemented, bringing real benefits to the company and the client.
In the following article, we will describe project management methods, as well as tools that can make our daily work easier.
By definition, we know that project management is a set of activities performed to achieve set main and intermediate goals in a finite period of time. It includes, but is not limited to, planning, scheduling, executing, controlling and accounting for the tasks that make up a project's objectives. By using a project management tool, you will be able to organize all project details in one place, provide feedback and share status updates, and thus work much better together.
Project management methodologies
Project management is a way of helping teams keep track of all tasks to meet project requirements in a timely manner. However, the concept of "project management" itself is a broad term that encompasses many types, methodologies and approaches, including:
Agile project management.
Agile methodology is a so-called "agile" approach to project management, popular among product, engineering and software development teams. Teams working according to the Agile methodology focus on continuous improvement, flexible response to change, iterative approach and incremental development.
Popular Agile methodologies include Scrum and Kanban, among others.
Cascade model.
In the cascade (waterfall) model, tasks are performed sequentially: only after one task is completed can the next one begin, and so on. The cascade model consists of six steps: requirements definition, analysis, design, implementation, testing and maintenance. This model is best suited to projects where deliverables and scope are fixed, because the cascade method is less flexible than other project management methodologies.
PRINCE2 methodology.
PRINCE2 refers to "projects in controlled environments." In the PRINCE2 project management methodology, projects are managed through seven processes, which include strategic project management, project preparation, project initiation, end-of-stage management, stage control, product delivery management and project closeout.
CPM and PERT
CPM (critical path method) and PERT (probabilistic project planning and control method) are project management methods developed in the 1950s. CPM is an algorithm by which a critical path can be defined between complex, interconnected tasks within a specified time frame. With the CPM method, teams can identify the longest stretch of dependent activities. PERT, on the other hand, helps teams identify the critical path when the timeline and timeframe are unknown. In the PERT method, project managers identify all tasks to be completed (not just the critical path) to determine the minimum time needed to complete the entire project.
Project management - how to do it efficiently?
Project management techniques are varied. While each project manager may have his or her own style of working, he or she should always pay attention to some of the most important issues that determine the success of the entire project.
The most important principles of project management include:
- A clear and understandable statement of the purpose of the project,
- Determine the most realistic deadline for a given project,
- Providing all project participants with the appropriate tools,
- Developing a plan for various eventualities, including unexpected and negative ones that may hinder the proper implementation of the project,
- Ensuring that project participants are highly motivated (e.g., through flexible working hours, verbal praise or bonuses),
- Ongoing monitoring of subordinates and giving them constructive feedback,
- Ensuring the best possible communication within the team and the proper flow of information, both between the employees themselves and between supervisor and subordinate,
- Reporting on the implementation of the various stages of the project.
Among the most convenient project management tools are:
List of tasks
The task list allows us to control all current processes in one place. It allows us to review tasks, and respond in a timely manner. It also gives us the ability to organize the work of teams in the company.
Resource management
Resource management gives us an insight through which we are able to verify the workload of a team and an individual employee. It allows us to see who has too much work and modify the assignment of tasks if necessary.
Gantt chart
Gantt charts are horizontal bar charts used to visualize a project timeline. In a Gantt chart, tasks are represented as horizontal bars, with the length of the bar representing the duration of the task.
Team communication
Team communication is the foundation for success in project management, as well as the sharing of relevant information. It can be carried out in the form of a single channel of communication or multithreaded separate conversations gathered in one place and on a topic related to the problem.
Find a solution for yourself!
Introducing project and work management principles and techniques will benefit not only you, but also the people you work with. Changes at the level of scheduling, resource management and time reporting will improve the efficiency of your operations, allow you to control projects and build competence in your team.
A platform that provides the necessary tools for project management is Flowgres, which is a project management tool that will allow you to solve the problems you encounter while working.
Learn more at www.flowgres.pl!