A PROJECT is "a planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make something new) and that usually requires a lot of time or a task or problem in school that requires careful work over a long period of time", Merriam-Webster dictionary definition.
Also, it is "An individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim:a research project", Oxford dictionary definition.
Also, it is "An individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim:a research project", Oxford dictionary definition.
HOW TO MANAGE A PROJECT
1 - DEFINE THE SCOPE you have to ask yourself certain questions to set the scope of your project:
Q -What is it you are supposed to accomplish by managing this project?
Q -What is the project objective?
On the other hand, it will be equally important is defining what is not included in the scope of your project. If you don't get enough definition from your boss, clarify the scope yourself for confirmation.
2 - DETERMINE THE AVAILABLE RESOURCE What people, equipment, and money will you have available to you to achieve the project objectives?
3 - CHECK THE TIMELINE WHEN does the project have to be COMPLETED? As you develop your project plan you may have some flexibility in how you use time during the project, but deadlines usually are fixed.
4 - ASSEMBLE YOUR PROJECT TEAM Get the people on your team together and start PLANNING.
5 - LIST THE BIG STEPS WHAT are the OUTCOMES you are aiming to achieve. It is a good idea to list the steps in chronological order.
6 - LIST THE SMALLER STEPS List the smaller steps in each of the larger steps. Again, it usually helps you remember all the steps if you list them in chronological order.
7 - DEVELOP A PRELIMINARY PLAN Assemble all your steps into a plan. ASK YOURSELF the following questions:
What happens first?
What is the next step?
Which steps can go on at the same time with different resources?
Who is going to do each step?
How long will it take?
8 - CREATE YOUR BASELINE PLAN Get feedback on your preliminary plan from your team and from any other stakeholders. Adjust your timelines and work schedules to fit the project into the available time. Make any necessary ADJUSTMENT if needed.
9 - REQUEST A PROJECT ADJUSTMENT Ask for the changes at the beginning of the project. Don't wait until it's in trouble to ask for the changes you need.
10 - MONITOR YOUR TEAM'S PROGRESS You will make little progress at the beginning of the project. That will make it easier to catch issues before they become problems.
11 - DOCUMENT EVERYTHING Keep records. Every time a new requirement is added to the project write down where the requirement came from and how the timeline or budget was adjusted because of it.
12 - KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED Keep all the project stakeholders informed of progress all along. Let them know of your success as you complete each milestone, but also inform them of problems as soon as they come up. Also keep you team informed. Make sure everyone on the team is aware of what everyone else is doing.
However, ACHIEVING your RESULTS will be by using the five essential ways:
1 Work harder
2 Work smarter - betterfastercheaper
3 Fix the base line
4 Play the number game - use the annual ritual used in all organizations "meet year-
end budget"
5 Mange for results - make things happen through other people
References:
1. http://management.about.com/
2. http://www.merriam-webster.com/
3. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
4. How to Manage, Jo Owen
