Project Management

Visit the following web site for issues of project management
http://www.pmi.org/info/default.asp

Happy Surfing

Adecrown
 

what is project management all about anyway 

The best place to start is by going through the PMI materials.
If you want to, I can send you the latest version of the PMBoK
I'm currently employed at a bank that wants to introduce the Prince2 PM methodology company-wide. Prince2 scales easier than PMI to all kinds of projects and the continuous focus on business justification really drives conrete achievements.

That's a bit low on info. Can you give some more context?

Not for long anymore (today, that is)

Actually Prince2 is mainly used in IT and less in engineering. They usually take a more structured and rigid approach and Project Management is far more mature in engineering than in IT. It really can get a genuine field of study in it's own right more than a simple management approach. I've been taught scheduling practices and algoritms by PM-engineers and it would be folly to apply these techniques in the immature management environment of IT, where a more basic, fundamental approach is needed.

Get into the game and familiarise yourself with one of the main PM software packages (Artemis, Primavera or Open Plan come to mind). Study Earned Value Management and get into formal Risk Analysis (you could try factored risk in combination with EVA and you'll have a reasonable level of control over your project(s).

Good luck, it can be a very interesting and challenging field. Above all, don't neglect your people management skills

As long as you're aware of your fallibility, they grow with the years as well 

I think your tutor is right

MS Project can teach you a lot of wrong habbits (e.g. imposing non-existing relationships between tasks, linking up sumary tasks, etc). Better learn to plan on paper first and do your early/late date calculations manually. It will teach you to plan rigorously and focus on constructing your WBS in the proper manner. Once you're comfortable with that, you can start using a specific software.
I once followed a course on Open Plan and the first two days we didn't even touch the computer. Probably one of the best courses I ever attended.

No, I'm just one of these weenies that rode the wave of the dotcom bubble 

i am doing a masters degree in project management and its ok , i want to enquire about the most common used software in industry(consteuction, procurement, PPP, financial institutions) so i engage it adequately.

would appreciate it, email addy--de_tayomartins@yahoo,com or 0609002@rgu.ac.uk

Official Prince2 manual:
http://www.yousendit.com/download/RTTKxToBoxN5TA%3D%3D
PMBok (version 2002):
http://download.yousendit.com/E3C448386B6EEC41
Mind you PMI and Prince2 are vastly different methodologies (and I prefer Prince2 for IT projects)

Lesson Number One
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.
A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"
The crow answered: "Sure, why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Management Lesson: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson Number Two
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy.
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fortnight, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.
Management Lesson: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
Lesson Number Three
When the body was first made, all the parts wanted to be Boss. The brain said,
"I should be Boss because I control the whole body's responses and functions."
The feet said, “We should be Boss as we carry the brain about and get him to where he wants to go."
The hands said, "We should be the Boss because we do all the work and earn all the money."
And so it went on and on with the heart, the lungs and the eyes until finally the asshole spoke up. All the parts laughed at the idea of the asshole being the Boss. So the asshole went on strike, blocked itself up and refused to work. Within a short time the eyes became crossed, the hands clenched, the feet twitched, the heart and lungs began to panic and the brain fevered. Eventually they all decided that the asshole should be the Boss, so the motion was passed. All the other parts did all the work while the Boss just sat and passed out the shit!
Management Lesson: You don't need brains to be Boss, any asshole will do!
Lesson Number Four
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!
Management Lessons:
Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
When you're in deep shit, keep your mouth shut!  

Hi Nferyn,

Can you please send the Prince2 manual again,the link u posted has expired.better still can u please send it to my box cherrypie26us@yahoo.com,thanks a bunch!

While Project Management is very good, I believe you'll achieve more and feel more fulfilled if you're working in a field you love.
For example, I work in IT, if I decide to go into PM, I would feel more fulfilled if the projects I'm managing are IT-oriented.

Lately, I've done some work for some Non-Technical Project Managers, and I must say, it's a bit difficult cosc they're not technical people.

For example, lest say I've designed a network for a customer and decided that certain equipment would suit the customer best, based on their needs. Because the project manager is trying to work within given timelines and with a limited budget he may not agree.

So my advice would be don't just go into Project Management, build a career alongside so your can make relevant and informed decisions.

Also if you're based in Naija or the UK, you should go for PRINCE2 rather than PMI. PMI is very good, but the UK uses PRINCE2 Methodologies, and Naija seems to be following suit.

Have a Lovely Swearing-In Ceremony tomorrow Guys!!!!

Skybaba

@skybaba,

I beg to disagree with you that people in naija should go for prince2. Prince2 is just IT tailored and does not mean that it is more acceptable. PMI is more mature and detailed (though some times, gets too detailed)

I agree that prince2 is the baba in UK but definitely not in naija. I stand to be corrected.

Cheers

The best place to start is by going through the PMI materials.
If you want to, I can send you the latest version of the PMBoK
I'm currently employed at a bank that wants to introduce the Prince2 PM methodology company-wide. Prince2 scales easier than PMI to all kinds of projects and the continuous focus on business justification really drives conrete achievements.


Nferyn, thanks for these guidelines, i work as a project planning and controls engineer in an oil firm, i deal with challenging issues every day about project management, and i intend to be a certified PMP before the year is out, but my problem is time as i have to move about all the time. plss could u send me the Pmbok and the Prince2 materials to my mail box.chiebitu@yahoo.com. ill be greatful, please include anyother info i might need, as im applying for project management positions now.

@ nferyn, my correct email is chiebitu@yahoo.com.
thanks

@bebe4u
I am PRINCE2 certified already.
Please could you say which bank that is?
I am currently working in the UK in Marketing Consulting and would be relocating to Naij soon.
my email is - dunhayes@yahoo.com, i would appreciate any details.
Thanks.

My Brothers and sisters,
I am geared towards Project management line as my job demands it as well as the future. But  I need exam center and to know cost for this in Lagos or Naija  in general. Most of the  companies offering Project management training and money hunters. They make PMP more expensive than an MBA.

Please advise urgent help needed.

Also i require same with Supply Chain management any one knows of any in Nigeria concerned with this ?

my email remains ameonthenet@gmail.com

@ kashif.
Please can you send me the stuff you have for project management also?
you can aslo send the PMBok through the Yousendit, i have an account there.
I work on the island, if you can direct me to where i can get some PMI training.
thanks man,

My e-mail address: oluwakayode07@yahoo.com