Dear Nairalanders,

Its been awhile have posted anything and now I want to share some knowledge on project management. The industry is broad and noticed that there are alot of training centers around that just offer theory explanation

Define Project Management
Project Management is the art of managing all the aspects of a project from inception to closure using a scientific and structured methodology. The term project may be used to define any endeavour that is temporary in nature and with a beginning or an end. The project must create something unique whether it is a product, service or result and must be progressively elaborated. As the definition implies, not every task can be considered a project. It would be worthwhile to keep this definition in mind when categorizing projects and studying their role in the success of the organization.

If you are a project manager, you will know that project management is important. Project management is the science and art of achieving success in your projects. It’s a science because it is possible to set down techniques and methodologies to follow, and an art because you need to have the ability to see which of these to us, and where and when to apply them.

Project management is important because it allows us to tackle projects in a clear, repeatable, and successful manner. If we approached every project we face with no clear idea of the techniques to use, we’d end up trying to muddle through every time, making the same mistakes over and over again. This is all avoidable with the proper project management techniques, experience, and knowledge. This means we have more successful projects, achieved in a shorter time, and at a lower cost.

So what do you need to do in project management?
1. Understand what success is for your project
2. Plan how to get there
3. Find and allocate the resources needed
4. Monitor progress
5. Identify the project risks, and how to avoid them, or how to mitigate the effects if they occur
6. Solve the problems that occur along the way
7. Hand over a successful product at the end
8. Review the project at the end, and learn lessons for next time (for yourself and your organisation)

Notice, though, that none of these imply a particular methodology, a particular set of tools. The right tools to use depend on what job you are trying to do! It would be ludicrous to try and use the same tools for a $500 project that you do for $5,000,000 project! One of the most important things in project management is to know when to use the techniques and methodologies you have at your disposal, to know which of them are right for that particular project.

MORE TO COME LATER