Every business uses project management, for that matter every person uses project management to get stuff done! But do they use a project manager and what are the benefits?
Getting to the end of a project – organising work, communication and co-ordinating across departments or indeed individuals – successfully – is what project management is all about.
So, we talk about planning and control to deliver the result you are looking for – more or less everything that takes more than a few decisions can be called a project. Doing out the bathroom; selecting products, arranging deliver dates, getting onboard tradesmen and definitely not being without a toilet or indeed a shower for any length of time! Launching a new product; enticing people, developing the product, getting early sign ups, bringing together all the graphics to promote it, sending out tasters, getting testers onboard for testimonials to help in the promotion.
As you can see if these are not planned and controlled they can go awry and cause more stress, frustration and heart-ache for you.
Getting a specific person to project manage allows the business owner to still continue the work and earn a living, but also be able to make decisions as a project moves forward – will less headaches and definitely less chasing, telephoning, co-ordinating and being in the day-to-day nitty-gritty of it.
Definition
If you look at the definition of project management it covers:
- No small task
- There is a definite beginning and end – not continuous
- Specialist tools are used such as Gantt Charts to track the various elements within the project
- The use of ad-hoc resources rather than full-time elements are utilised
- A reduction in risk and increase in success because of that ‘management’
Why?
The project management diamond exists:
- Within cost
- Delivered on time
- Within scope
- Meeting quality requirements
But all these are bound by ensuring the expectations of all parties are met.
There are a number of characteristics that a project management must hold as they most certainly make things happen and not just as implementers. They also need the administrative and technical skills and knowledge to track, see the big picture, be able to provide standard processes and procedures to ensure the project is successful. However, they also need to be aware of all the risks and issues that could go wrong to ensure there is a plan in place to mitigate them – how each phase affects the next and how delays can impact the process.
Characteristics of a PM
A project manager must have the following skills and experience:
- Leadership
- People management
- Effective communication
- Influencing
- Negotiation
- Conflict management
- Planning
- Contract management
- Estimating
- Problem solving
- Creative thinking
- Time management
Going wrong!
I also just want to give you a list of things that can go wrong – and which the project manager will handle:
- Poor communication
- Disagreement
- Misunderstandings
- Inclement weather
- Personality conflicts
- Poor management
- Poor goals and objectives
Using a PM can avoid
These can all impact:
- Projects finishing late, exceeding costs and not meeting expectations
- High stress levels, goodwill, overtime
- Internal and external events impacting the project
So, when you are next looking at a project – ask yourself: will bringing in a project manager help me to limit the impact on my business, allow me to continue serving my clients and bring about a successful result?
I’d love to discuss this with you.
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