Most people are involved in projects at work, either as a project team member or a project leader. Learning about project management will give you the skills you need to be more successful when working on projects.
Learning Objectives
- Define the terms project, project management, and project manager
- Describe the key duties of a project manager
- Explain the importance of project management training
- List some common reasons why projects fail
Before digging into the details of how to build and execute a project plan, it’s a good idea to understand the fundamental components of a project.
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate between a project, a process, and a program
- List the three primary components of a project
- Define scope, schedule, and resources
- List the five main phases of a project
- List different roles that might be involved in a project
The project initiation phase is a time for gathering information, so you have a clear understanding of the project and the expected result.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the purpose and importance of initiating the project
- List the steps for initiating the project
- Describe why it is important to interview the project’s key stakeholders
- Describe the information that is typically included in a project overview document
Creating a detailed project plan helps you to think about the steps you must take to execute the project. It also helps you anticipate and plan for unexpected occurrences that might prevent you from reaching your goals.
Learning Objectives
- List the steps in the project planning process
- Create a work breakdown structure
- Describe how to create a project schedule
- Explain the purpose of a network diagram and a Gantt chart
- Describe the purpose of the budget
- Describe the purpose of other sections of the project plan, including the human resources, communication, and quality plans
- Describe project planning tools
During the execution phase, the project team works together to create the project deliverables. You use the work breakdown structure, project schedule, communication plan, and other plans you created during the planning phase as inputs to the execution phase.
Learning Objectives
- List the steps in the project execution phase
- Describe the purpose of a project kickoff meeting
- Explain the purpose of a RACI matrix
- Explain the importance of procurement
- Understand that monitoring and controlling the project happens concurrently with project
The project manager is responsible for guiding the project through the different project management phases, keeping the project on track, and achieving the project goals.
Learning Objectives
- List the steps in the monitoring and controlling phase of a project
- Discuss the importance of status meetings
- List steps you can take to clear roadblocks that may be delaying a project
- List steps to manage scope creep
- Understand the importance of communication with the project team, customer, and other stakeholders
Most people are involved in projects at work, either as a project team member or a project leader. Learning about project management will give you the skills you need to be more successful when working on projects.
Learning Objectives
- Define the terms project, project management, and project manager
- Describe the key duties of a project manager
- Explain the importance of project management training
- List some common reasons why projects fail