Within the last few years, I have been hearing more and more about project management. I personally think it is because our culture is becoming more dependent on computers and software, which involve more planning in the build stage; but project management is important nonetheless.
We are going to be digging in a little deeper as we go along, but this will serve as an introduction.
Wikipedia defines project management as:
Project Management is the discipline of organizing and managing resources (e.g. people) in such a way that the project is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. A project is a temporary and one-time endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service, which brings about beneficial change or added value.
Basically, all that means is that the project itself must be broken down into steps so that one step may be executed before the next step begins.
Think in terms of construction. If you team is brought in to build a convention center, you are going to want the walls or at least the framing up before you bring the roof guys in. And you are going to want the people hanging drywall to start working after that. Why pay all of these individual teams to sit around and do nothing?
There are three basic steps that go into project management:
- Planning - This phase includes goal setting, defining the project, and team organization.
- Scheduling - Here we relate people, money, and supplies to specific activities and relate those activities to each other.
- Controlling - This phase is where we monitor resources, costs, quality, and budgets.. This is also where we revise or change plans and shift resources to meet time and cost demands.
In short, project management is a means to an end. I know there are all sorts of certificates and programs out there that help you get acquainted with the project management idea, but it is really very simple. All it is is a workflow that makes good business sense; and if you keep that in mind, you will do fine.