Every job is now a project. Every job we want to do professionally has a start date and a finish date. There is also a scope or goal. There is also a budget and a list of people involved. There are many types of teams involved. Usually, there is only one person who coordinates them all: a Project Manager. Rarely will you find a job that requires so many hard and soft skills. This is a relatively new job, so the responsibilities of project managers are not fixed. The universities are still not able to adapt to these new trends so no formal education is necessary. The question is inevitable: How do you become project manager? The second phase, however, is where project managers really shine. Initiation is not something that is usually in their purview. This is where cost, scope and duration, quality, communication, risk, as well as resources, are carefully planned. Because they impact the budget required to complete a project, costs are important. It is important to clearly define the scope so that activities of the team don’t get lost. These activities must be identified and estimated. The project manager must also estimate the amount of money, time, and resources required for the project. Although risk cannot be accurately determined, it is important to make an assessment. Project management is all about execution and monitoring. It’s about bringing Phase 2 to life and making sure everyone sticks to the plan. A Project Manager’s Toolbox
Now, let’s see the toolbox of knowledge necessary for all these responsibilities.Cost and risk assessment are no joke. Money is the most serious aspect of everything. You know what they say, “Mo’ money mo’ problems.” They are right. No one will be happy if the costs end up being higher than the budget. This could be aided by basic knowledge in economics. Even more valuable is thorough research and analysis. Why? Each industry and each project is unique. A house builder may not be an expert at managing a digital agency. The same applies to resource planning. What about time estimates? The person who is performing the task will give you the best estimate of the time. The more experienced the person, the better. Soft skills are important here. People shouldn’t be able to estimate the time it takes to complete a task at five days, when it actually takes one day. You shouldn’t make estimates that are too ambitious, or you’ll end-up with late due dates. It is delicate to create an environment where everyone feels respected and not pressured into hurrying. Scope is a topic that is frequently discussed in the software industry. It is already covered extensively on our blog. Here are a few examples: What is a Scope Creep, and How Does It Work?
Scope Creep: Linking Theory and Practice
How to manage Scope Creep and keep your Deadlines and Clients under Control
It is important to define the project’s goal and stick to it. It sounds a lot simpler than it actually is. Let’s move on and discuss the third and fourth phases in project management. Execution is the next step after planning. It’s not as easy as saying, “Ok people, let’s do it!” Sending them off to battle. It is important to have regular meetings and a system for status updates. Guiding meetings is not for everyone. You will need to know when to cut off someone, when to let the discussion flow and how to cover every topic while still sticking to the time schedule. Frameworks and Methodologies for Project Management
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