A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
The major characteristics of a project are as follows:
1. An established objective.
2. A defined life span with a beginning and an end.
3. Usually, the involvement of several departments and professionals.
4. Typically, doing something that has never been done before.
5. Specific time, cost, and performance requirements.
TABLE 1.1 Comparison of Routine Work with Projects
A program is a group of related projects designed to accomplish a common goal over an extended period
of time.
FIGURE 1.1 Project Life Cycle
1. Defining stage: Specifications of the project are defined; project objectives are established;
teams are formed; major responsibilities are assigned.
2. Planning stage: The level of effort increases, and plans are developed to determine what the
project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, what quality level should be
maintained, and what the budget will be.
3. Executing stage: A major portion of the project work takes place—both physical and mental.
The physical product is produced (a bridge, a report, a software program). Time, cost, and
specification measures are used for control. Is the project on schedule, on budget, and meeting
specifications? What are the forecasts of each of these measures? What revisions/changes are
necessary?
4. Closing stage: Closing includes three activities: delivering the project product to the customer,
redeploying project resources, and post-project review. Delivery of the project might include
customer training and transferring documents. Redeployment usually involves releasing project
equipment/materials to other projects and finding new assignments for team members. Post-
project reviews include not only assessing performance but also capturing lessons learned.
Project Manager
Manages temporary, nonrepetitive activities, to complete a fixed life project
Must work with a diverse troupe of characters (customers, managers, vendors, suppliers,
subcontractors) to complete projects
Good decision maker
Are not for the timid, working on projects can be an extremely rewarding experience
Importance of Project Management
Compression of the Product Life Cycle
Knowledge Explosion
Triple Bottom Line (Planet, People, Profit)
Corporate Downsizing
Increased Customer Focus
Small Projects Represent Big Problems
VUCA
Volatility
Uncertainty
Complexity
Ambiguity
FIGURE 1.3 The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process
FIGURE 2.1 Strategic Management Process
The typical sequence of activities of the strategic management process is outlined here; a description of
each activity then follows:
1. Review and define the organizational mission.
2. Set long-range goals and objectives.
3. Analyze and formulate strategies to reach objectives.
4. Implement strategies through projects.
Strategies should be SMART
Specific
Measurable
Attainable/Achievable
Realistic/Relevant
Time Bound/Timely
Portfolio – collection of best practices
Implementation Gap - When strategies are not aligned with the project\
Look at priority system
Operational = day to day activities
Strategic = naka-support sila to meet long term goals
Projectitis
Sense of device -iveness
Power grabbing between functional and project manager
Project Charter
- it refers to the document that authorizes the project manager to initiate and make the project,
legal basis siya
- It includes risk limits
Project Objectives = guided always by SMART acronym, guide to reach main goals
Milestones = significant events of a project ithat occur in a point in time
Process of decomposition into deliverable oriented components
Want to achieve a control mechanism
Chapter 5
Top -Down (Maco-estimates)
Bottom Up (micro estimates)