Different Angles In Managing A Project
It does not matter if a project is sophisticated or simple, it is basically limited by specific time frames and resources. Being time-bound in achieving specific goals is one of the main factors that set aside project management from routine business management. Unlike the normal operations of business entities, the objectives of projects are well-defined in their limits. In simple terms a project is a temporary group activity which targets to produce a specified result during a specific time frame.
Ensuring the efficient completion of projects will require effective management. When it comes to project management, the five fundamental functions of management are applicable. Effectively accomplishing the specific milestones of a project is a fundamental challenge in project management.
Generally speaking, managing a project has five basic aspects . Setting goals and objectives is the first phase of project management. During this phase, the project management usually enumerates and tries to anticipate all the possible deliverables and objectives of the project. Hence, this is otherwise known as goal setting stage. Formal planning then follows after all the goals and objectives are clearly defined. In the planning stage all the activities or tasks necessary to achieve goals are identified. Relationships between and among different tasks and the time it would take each of the tasks to be completed are noted. Planning also requires the identification of resources needed and their corresponding costs.
A Gantt chart is a useful tool in project planning most especially if the project has several components and team members. In a Gantt chart, the various components of a complex project are represented as bars along a horizontal timeline. A Gantt chart can also indicate the people assigned for each task and the resources to be allocated.
A Gantt chart is a very practical planning tool but it is also crucial when monitoring and evaluating the progress of a project based on milestones. Project team members will be able to have better focus on their respective tasks with the aid of Gantt chart. Furthermore, updating the chart as the project progresses helps detect problems early on so that remedial actions can be implemented to keep project back on schedule.
The actual work on the project commences after careful planning. This is where resources are assigned and budgets are allocated and work on the project finally commences. The controlling and monitoring phase is another phase that is very crucial in project management. It is normally the project manager’s role to keep track of the team’s progress towards its goal and the Gantt chart can be an effective tool for assessment of progress. A quick look at an updated Gantt chart will let you immediately see what should have been accomplished at any point in time. The details of the plan and the execution of the project can be adjusted based on the up-to-date data shown on the Gantt chart.
When all the milestones are reached and efficiently converge, the project is said to be accomplished. During the closure stage the project manager confers with the project team and all others concerned with the project goals and projects to assess and analyze the final outcome of the project.
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