University of Leeds Project Management Stuart Roberts School of Computing

University of Leeds Objectives The aim of Project Management is: – to maximise the chance of meeting all your project objectives efficiently and in a timely manner By the end of this talk you should: – know how to meet this aim of Project Management.

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Defining your project Objectives – clear, specific, differentiating Minimum requirements – quantified, can be evaluated Resources – software, hardware, people Constraints – software, hardware, cost, re-organisation, time, confidentiality Project characteristics – Research? Development? Analysis &Design? Theoretical? Clear or vague requirements? Prototype or final product?

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Defining your Method Divide and conquer – Identify sub-problems/tasks, How to tackle each task? – Research tools; information sources – Methodologies – ordering and iteration – Analysis/Design/Documentation tools – Development tools and platforms (may come later) – Write-up as-you-go vs keep notes as-you-go/write up at end.

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Planning For each task/sub-problem – How long do I think it will take? (How can I estimate?) – Any other task need to be completed before it can start? – Any other task need to be completed before it can complete? Identify milestones and deliverables Draw up a schedule (eg Gantt chart)

University of Leeds Gantt chart

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Identifying Risks Which time estimates on my Gantt chart are most uncertain? – Have I enough contingency? What are my weak areas? – Have I given myself enough time? – What can I do to improve in this area? What if my client or other stakeholders let me down?

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Monitoring progress Periodically (weekly?) – am I up to schedule? – If not what can I do about it? From experience so far do I need to revise time estimates? What needs to be done over the next period?

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Revising plans My schedule turns out to be wrong – Behind schedule Use some of the contingency? Realistic to catch-up? Should I be working harder? Minimum requirements too ambitious? – External resources delayed Re-order tasks? Concentrate on write-up? Re-define project objectives? If necessary re-draw your Gantt chart and document why.

University of Leeds Overview of Project Management Defining your project Defining your method Planning Identifying risks Monitoring progress Revising plans Communication

University of Leeds Communication With your supervisor – How often can you meet, for how long – When will they be.. –.. on holiday? –.. at conferences? – What will they expect me to report? Stakeholders – How to contact them – How much of their time is available? – When are they available? – How/when to communicate results of deliverables? – How/when to see them in the evaluation period?

University of Leeds Final word Dont think of project management as an imposed overhead! – Use it as intended – Benefit from learning how to do it Dont forget: – There are marks for evidence of good project management – Good project management should lead to a good solution even more marks! Enjoy being in control.

University of Leeds Questions?