Week 12- Project Management

Explain the triple constraint and its importance in project management.

The three primary variables in any project includes time, cost and scope. These three variables are independent and all projects are limited in some way by these constraints. The Project Management Institute calls the framework for evaluating these competing demands the triple constraint. 

Describe the two primary diagrams most frequently used in project planning

The two primary diagrams used in project planning includes:

PERT chart - A graphical network model that depicts a project's tasks and the relationships between those tasks. PERT charts define dependency between project tasks before those tasks are scheduled.



Gantt chart - a simple bar chart that depicts project tasks against a calender. A Gantt chart works well for representing the project schedule. It also shows actual progress of tasks against the planned duration.




Identify the three primary areas a project manager must focus on managing to ensure success

Managing People: Resolving conflicts within the team and balancing needs of the project with the personal and professional needs of the team are two challenges facing project managers. Many times, the people management side of project management makes the difference in pulling off a successful project. Project managers not only need to 'manage' the stakeholders and the project, they need to manage the development team. 

Managing Change: Dynamic organisational change is inevitable and an organisation must effectively manage change as it evolves. With the numerous challenges and complexities that organisation's face in today's rapidly changing environment, effective change management thus becomes a critical core competency. 

Managing Communications: It is extremely helpful is a project manager plans what and how he or she will communicate as a formal part of the project management plan. A project manager distributes timely. accurate and meaningful information regarding project objectives that involve time, cost, scope, quality and status of each. The use of these aid in communicating information to the team about the project's status. 

Outline 2 reasons why projects fail and two reasons why projects suceed.

Projects Fail:

- Not understanding project planning

- Lack of organisational skills

Project Succeeds:

- Managing projects

- Good and effective use of communication