Project Management September 21, 2005

Introduction Eric Lemmons

Your Turn n What are you studying right now? n When someone says ‘project’ what comes to mind? n What is your project? n What is the hardest thing about your project? n What has been the biggest surprise about your project?

Define for me... n Requirements n Analysis n Design n Project Methodology n Project Management

What is a Project? It is not... You guys start coding and I’ll go figure out what the customer wants.

Project Definition A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.

Project Characteristics n Performed by People n Constrained by Resources n Planned, Executed and Controlled n Temporary and Unique (as opposed to operations, which are ongoing and repetitive)

Successful Project n Meets or exceeds the customers requirements n Delivered on time n Within Budget

Project Management The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to deliver a successful project.

Sign in a PMs office... Everyone who comes in here wants 3 things: n Quick n Good n Cheap I tell ‘em to pick 2 and call me back.

Project Management Vs. Project Methodology n Methodologies give you templates of things to do n Project management applies them to this project

4 Project Stages n Start Up n Planning n Execution n Close Down

Project to Development Relationship Model What? Why? How? Start-Up Planning Execution Close-Down

Roles of a Project Manager n Coordinator n Communicator n Leader n Negotiator n Planner

Project Management Functions n Integration Management n Scope Management n Risk Management n Communications Management n Schedule Management n Human Resource Management n Quality Management n Cost Management n Procurement Management

Scope Management Ensure that the project includes all the work required, and only the work required, to complete the project successfully.

Change Control n Insure that changes are agreed upon. n Determine when scope change is desired/has occurred. n Managing the change through all other processes (schedule, cost, quality).

Risk Management The process of identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risk. Risk is an uncertain event or condition that will have an effect on the project. It has a cause and an effect and a consequence to cost, schedule, or quality.

Communications Management Ensure the timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination, storage, and ultimate disposition of project information. Who needs to know what ? When do they need to know it? How will it be communicated and by Whom?

Schedule Management Ensure the timely completion of the project. n Identify the specific activities that must be performed to meet deliverables. n Document dependencies n Estimate the time to complete an activity n Schedule development (start and end dates n Schedule control

Human Resource Management Make the most effective use of the people involved in the project. n Planning n Acquisition n Development

Quality Management The processes required to ensure the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken. n Identify what to measure n Periodically review the project n Monitor specific results to determine if they meet the relevant quality standards.

Cost Management Ensure the project is completed within the approved budget

Procurement Management Acquire goods and services to attain project activities from outside the performing organization. (aka Vendor Management, Subcontractor Management, Supplier Management)

Characteristics of Effective Project Management n Effectively plan the project n Accurately monitor and communicate the project progress n Ensure that all requirements are met n Ensure the project is on time and within budget n Schedule resources effectively n Manage changes to the project

What does all this mean to you? n You know what you are supposed to be working on and when it is due n You know what is going on in the project n You know how to communicate your status n You know the critical path items and the critical success factors for the project.

Benefits to Project Management n Projects delivered on time and within budget that meet customers expectations. n No more death marches n Success can be duplicated. Failures can be learned from. n Return business

To be successful... Using a methodology and working with the customer, develop a plan and execute it with defined tools and procedures. Piece of cake! :-)

Remember The objective of all dedicated employees should be to thoroughly analyze all situations, anticipate problems prior to their occurrence, have answers for these problems, and move swiftly to solve the problems when called upon. However... When you are up to your rear in alligators it is difficult to remember the initial objective was to drain the swamp.

Questions/Comments?