Project management is the art and science of achieving a goal or task within a specific time frame and budget. It is the process of planning, controlling and successfully completing a project from start to finish. It involves coordinating resources such as time, money, people and materials to achieve the desired result.
A project is a one-off task with a clearly defined goal. It differs from everyday tasks, which are recurring. Examples of projects could be the construction of a house, the launch of a new product or the organisation of a company event. Projects always have a beginning and an end.
There are three key aspects to project management that need to be focussed on:
What is to be achieved? The goal must be clear and measurable.
This includes the budget, the team, material or even the time available.
Projects always have deadlines that need to be met.
A project normally goes through five phases:
A project manager uses various methods and tools to manage projects effectively. These include:
Without good project management, important tasks can become confusing, expensive or inefficient. A clearly structured plan helps to optimise the use of time, costs and resources and ultimately achieve a successful result.
Whether it’s a small everyday project or a large corporate endeavour, project management helps to achieve goals systematically and successfully.
A project manager is usually in charge of the project. He or she is responsible for coordinating the team, making decisions and ensuring that the project is completed successfully.
Project management is a valuable skill in many fields – from engineering and construction to marketing and IT. It helps organisations to achieve their goals efficiently and successfully.
Image credits: Header- & featured image by jcomp on Freepik