Starting a project from scratch can be a daunting task. One of the main difficulties arises from tracking tasks to determine at what point one task should give way to another. Some projects require that the tasks should be concurrent, whereas others require the tasks to follow each other in a sequence.
How Project Management Software and Project Management Tools Work
For beginners, project management might seem like a tough project, but with the advent of information technology, project management software have come in to make things easier. In this article we provide a step by step guide on project management, and examine the different phases.
Phases of Project Management.
Whether a project is done concurrently or in sequence, they still occur in phases. It is important for these phases to be in place because they determine whether conditions are in place for the next stage to take place. These phases also help in reviewing the project to check for mistakes during the process. Mistakes are sometimes inevitable and these phases are crucial in solving errors that might occur. These phases are:
1. The Initiation Phase
To fully understand the project, the initiation phase is very crucial because it allows for the project scope to be determined. Other processes that take place in this phase include; determining the stakeholders, ensuring the resources is in place, and understanding the objectives and deliverables of the entire project. Top management have to be involved in this phase and in most cases they are the ones spearheading the involvement of stakeholders by driving the core mission and objectives of the project until it is understood by everyone in the team. This process also involves establishing the scope of the project and culminates in a project proposal adopted by the entire team and stakeholders.
2. The Planning Phase
Project planning is a very tedious and time consuming process. Despite this, it comprises about 50% of all project management activities. Manual planning can be difficult but with digital technology, planning can be an easy engagement so long as all relevant data and information is in place. Project management tools and project management software have inbuilt planning systems that make it easier for project managers to plan on projects even with less staff. The steps involved in planning start with creating a detailed task-level project plan which breaks down all the activities in a roadmap, thereby making it easier to understand.
3. Project Execution Phase
The project execution phase follows project planning and this is where the theoretical approach makes way for practical undertakings. The tasks are assigned to skilled team members who carry out the tasks as prescribed in the service charter. There is heightened collaboration between the members to ensure all aspects are catered for. There is enough leeway to adjust the plan in accordance to emerging situations and this may affect project schedules. The focus is to ensure the project is complete successfully and therefore the team manager takes a bird’s eye view to ensure all members are pulling their weight.
