Effective Project Management E-Book

50MINUTES

• Herausgeber: 50Minutes.com
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Serie: Coaching
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 35

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Ready to take your career to the next level? Find out everything you need to know about successful project management with this practical guide.

The ability to manage a project effectively is an essential skill for anybody hoping to progress in their career. However, from tight budgets to a lack of resources, there are many obstacles that can stop you in your tracks. This guide will teach you how to plan for mistakes effectively, organise your team and ensure your project is a success!

In 50 minutes you will be able to:
• Identify the three key stages of project management, what they entail and how much time you should spend on each
• Create a comprehensive plan for the development of your project, taking into account the costs, the people involved and the time needed
• Assess the possible risks that may have a negative impact on your project, identify their probability and create a backup plan

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Leseprobe

Project management

Problem: How can I prepare a project and lead it to success?Uses: Successfully managing personal and professional projects requires great rigour, but also preparation following specific rules.Professional context: Project management, management, professional development, etc.FAQs:Does the project manager always have the same responsibilities?How long should I spend in the preparation, implementation and closing phases?What if the financial demands or deadlines are too restrictive?Is it possible to manage several projects at once?What if I replace a project manager at short notice?How can I delegate work?

Whether you desired it or dreaded it, you have just been appointed project manager! First of all, congratulations! Your skills have finally been recognised. You must now prove that this level of trust was well deserved.

But project management is not confined to a title. We are all regularly confronted with this exercise, whether in our personal lives or in our work: from organising holidays to redesigning the garden, all the way through to planning meals. In your career, you have undoubtedly taken part in projects and you think logically that you will be able to rely on your experience.

However, to be an effective project or business manager is no simple feat: it is a challenge which, to be exciting and fulfilling, comes with a high level of pressure. As a leader, you are responsible for the schedule, guaranteeing compliance with deadlines and budgets and leading employees. You will need to report the project development with backers and clients, whatever the result… Therefore, there is a great opportunity for a positive outcome.

This guide is designed for all aspiring project managers, as well as those seeking to improve their skills in this area. It can also be useful for stakeholders in a project: although the responsibility lies with the project manager, their triumph is shared by the whole team. So what are you waiting for? Adopt the right reflexes now!

Planned project management: the basics

Basic principles

What is a project?

The answer may seem obvious… but wait! A project is a set of activities (or tasks) conducted to achieve set objectives, using predetermined human, material and financial resources. This definition thus highlights the basic components of a project:

one or more precise and specific target(s) to be achieved;a time schedule to be followed;resources that include a budget, a team and the necessary technical means.

This also emphasises its temporary aspect, because although it may last several months or even years, it still has a specific and limited period.

What is project management?

Projects have never been studied and analysed as much as they have in recent years. Indeed, in our society, where businesses are in constant competition, project management (or simply management) must be as accurate as possible to become a market leader. It is almost a scientific approach, involving a set of tools and methods to improve the quality of your project, as well as to optimise production and its chances of success. Specifically, project management allows you to:

plan the project’s implementation and see it through;increase performance by being more effective in your organisation and task management;assess, anticipate and, in particular, overcome the difficulties and risks that may arise;cope with change and unexpected problems;manage a team.

The role of the project manager

The leader is both the heart and head of the project. They are not content with being the architect who draws up the plans, they are also the site supervisor leading the work every day and guiding the team. It is not enough for them to give orders; they must also pass the torch to allow the group to take control of the project. Their missions are to:

conduct the completion of targets respecting the specifications;develop and manage the team;ensure the daily monitoring of the project and adapt initial plans where necessary;deal with the unexpected.

To accomplish these tasks, certain qualities are essential:

take responsibility;have a sense of initiative and make tough decisions;surround themselves with the right people;manage and motivate the team;