Project Management: Definition, Skills, Processes, and Benefits

This article covers various aspects of project management, including its definition, skills required, processes involved, and benefits. It discusses topics such as project sponsor, project team, integration management, project scope, project schedule, project cost, procurement, project quality, change control, and more.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT 1
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT 2
Question 1
Project
This can be defined as a collaborative enterprise that is precisely wanted to accomplish a
specific goal inside a specific timeframe.
Project management
It is the craft of converting a dream or vision to the success of fabricating an undertaking
group and building up a task story. Venture administration incorporates equations and
procedures for figuring the basic way, creating objectives, and overseeing meetings. (Olson
2014).
Project sponsor
The project sponsor is normally a pioneer in the parent association with an enthusiasm for
the result of the undertaking and has the authority to give assets and conquer boundaries to the
venture. As a pioneer in the parent association, the sponsor can give input into the task scope and
different archives that characterize venture achievement. The direction and support from the task
sponsor upgrade the capacity of the undertaking to effectively meet the parent association's
goals. Examples of project sponsors include well thriving business owners, banks e.g. Barclays
bank, companies and non-governmental institution
Project team
This is a group whose individuals generally belonging to various groups, works and are
relegated to exercises for a same allocated task. In many cases, project teams are applicable for a
specified period of time after which they can be dissolved after the objectives are achieved. A
group is an associated gathering of people who cooperate towards a shared objective and who
share duty regarding particular results of their goals. these teams need the correct mix of
aptitudes, capacities and identify personalities so as to accomplish oriented intentions. The most
widely recognized technique is at the carefulness of a senior individual from the association.
(Saylor org 2017)
Partners /stakeholder
Partners to a certain project get an overview of their project from general reports that are
generated. these reports contain the speculated objectives and achievements met. It also explains
to the stakeholder how the project achievements were met. Execution on the calendar and
spending plan are abridged and an evaluation of customer fulfillment is given. An adaptation of
this report can be given to the customer as a partner and as other methods for determining input.
QUESTION 2
Project management skills
A good project manager should possess some characteristics, some include the following,
1. Sense of credibility

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2. Should be creative and have the ability to solve problems
3. Tolerance when it comes to ambiguity
4. Flexible
5. Portray interpersonal skills when it comes to the provision of directives when
communicating and helping with problem-solving.
6. Technical expertise that gives him the credulity to offer leadership on technical
projects.
Leadership
The person to lead the project should have a good leadership skills style. Being able to
interact with different people with different personalities. Leaders should emphasis on time
management and put some laws and policies in some committee (Reiling, 2016)
Processes
The set procedure that can be used in the development of project objectives always varies
in accordance to the level of the project complexity, the effectiveness of the project plan and the
ability and skills associated with the project managers and team leaders.
Project Manager characteristics
For a project to be successful the project manager should possess skill like:
 Good Planner: When a project manager is a good planner, he comes up with good
structures for a project.
 Team Building: team building ensure unity within members running a project.
 Good communication: a prosperous project manager allows free flow of communication
and thereby coming up with a plan from team suggestion which aids in coming up with
better structures.
QUESTION 3
Integration management involves putting together all the procedures and processes that
ascertain that the different project elements are coordinated as expected.it entails generating
tradeoffs between two or several competing goals and possible alternatives for meeting the
stakeholder level of expectations.
Scope of project
A project scope is normally expressed within a given document to help in defining all the
factors can define a given project and also help in determining its behaviour.it also help in the
determination of the work done inside the limits of the venture, and the work that is outside the
undertaking limits (Font, 2013)
Project schedule and time management
When talking about a successful project, it means that a certain project has been finished
within the speculated time frame. It’s the responsibility of a project manager or director to come

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up and manage a flexible project time frame and schedule that by the end of a known period, that
project shall be completed. To complete a project within the projected time frame, s good plan
and schedule must be applied.
Project cost
This means completing a given project within a given expenditure budget. It’s very
important that a project begins, the project manager comes up with a budget that will aid him in
achieving the project objectives. For instance, if the budget for the project is estimated to be
1000 us dollars, the project manager should work under that budget.
Procurement
The acquisition exertion on ventures differs broadly and relies upon the kind of task. It
can go from less complicated projects where the venturing team has to identify the materials,
item specifications and a point by point conveyance schedule to the customer; to the parent
organization offering procurement services through liaison; to a procurement group being
enlisted or hired.
Project Quality
A project quality is determined by the final output in terms of product or services. They
reflect the project purpose. It’s the role of a project manager to develop the projects execution
approach that will provide a clear understanding of what quality is expected at the end of the
process and the product of service specifications. The project manager managing house
construction project will not only need to concentrate on the number of rooms that ought to be
carpeted but more on the type of carpet he needs for carpeting. (Prosci,2014)
The project team
It’s the role of the project management team to staff the project with workers having the
relevant and right skills, to allocate them the right workplace and right working time.
Communications
It calls for teamwork to complete a very complex project. For a team to accomplish the
certain project, there is always need for unity and unity is brought about by good communication
among the team members. Communication and flow of information can be done through the
meeting for worker within the close geographical location, or can also hold a discussion
concerning the projects informally at each other’s official functions.
Change control and change management
This can be defined as activities that must be done and steps that must be followed by
project leader when applying certain changes in a project plan to meet the intended outcome. A
change control process is used to assist in avoiding unwanted changes that may affect the
running of a project. These processes also help in ensuring efficient use of allocated resources
without waste. They also ensure an adequate definition, review, and approval before the
implementation of proposed changes in project management. A good example of change control

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plan and process is taking a project in the retail industry where a new store will be launched. On
the initial plan, the store is set to have five bays for general merchandise and four others for
crockery section, but after forecasting on the sells, the project manager suggests the bays for
general merchandise to be reduced to four and the crockery one’s increase to five. A change
control process is applicable although no physical reconstruction of the plan. The first step would
be a consultation for the unanimous suggestion, then the official change in the retail project plan
then implementation of the change.
Question 4
These processes can be:
Change control mechanism process.
On the off chance that over the span of project execution, if partner/sponsor wish to
include another component in venture scope e.g. new component, new service request type; the
proposal ought to be overseen through a formal channel. These formal channel guarantees all-
important task partners know about the proposed change, which can be assessed further to
recognize its impacts, the course of events, quality, or expenditure budget. You can streamline
the change control process by presenting levels of endorsements and escalations. The
improvement and administration of a project schedule that will help finish the aforesaid project
in time is the main responsibility associated with a project manager., and finishing the task on
time requires the advancement of a practical arrangement and the viable administration of the
arrangement. (harsh man, 2009)
benefits of planning, definition, and verification
• Creating objective and goal
Project directors make objectives and goals amid the arranging period of an undertaking to gauge
the progress so they can make a remedial move if fundamental.
• Aligning project and Business Objectives
Sound arranging includes adjusting project objectives with the business objectives to ensure the
undertaking remains on course and backs the superseding objectives of the organization.
• Acquiring Subsidies and funding
A strong all-around planned project design enables an entrepreneur to legitimize a project and
gain finances from a loaning organization.
• Resource Administration
A project plan distinguishes the essential human and capital assets so that continuity of a project
is successful without being hindered by stock deficiencies, change of staff or some equipment
malfunctioning.
• Budget Arranging

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The project planning involves making reasonable evaluations to enable a business to figure the
money needed and plan on how it can be sourced.
• Project-particular Preparing
Venture arranging guarantees representatives have the important preparing to finish the
appointed undertakings and recognizes feeder projects to give a sufficient supply of prepared
staff for the duration of the life of the task.
• Communication
A fruitful project is characterized by the flow of information with every single influenced party
all through the course of the project, all the way from the planning stage. Conversing with
providers, HR, wholesalers, representatives and every other person included distinguishes every
one of the factors that can affect a project. A good example is setting a communication channel
between the team members and allowing every member to be free to pass and receive
information.
• Commitment
The project plan and design enable the undertaking director to give the whole venture group a
major picture see so they have a feeling of possession in the venture and the dedication important
to see the project through to consummation. Planning takes recommendations, desires, and
thoughts and unites them to make a firm idea with expressed objectives, prerequisites and time
allotments.
• Identify weaknesses
Sound project planning recognizes the feeble spots and gives possibilities in case of interferences
because of asset deficiencies, budget reallocation and contending needs
• Contingency planning
Sound project plan assist in the creation of accurate and practical time appraisals to finish
expected assignments to stay away from venture overwhelms"
Drawbacks
1. Time-consuming
While project planning documents can be useful to a team or organization, they are of little use if
they are not created with genuine effort and thought put into them.
2. Lack of Use
Project plans are sometimes created and then never used. For example, a team charter might be
crafted and signed at the beginning of a project and then filed away and never looked at again.

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References
Font, V.M. (2013). The Project Management Method and the SDLC. Ultimate Guide to the
SDLC.
Olson, D. (2014). Chapter 3: Project Organization in information systems project
(UMUC EBSCO E-book, available from the library)
Olson, D. (2014). Chapter 1 Introduction to Project Management in Information Systems Project
Management (EBSCO E-Book from the UMUC library)
Olson, D. (2014) Chapter 5: Systems Development in Information Systems Project
Management (UMUC EBSCO E-BookOlson, D. (2014). Chapter 2 Human Factors in
Information Systems Project Management (EBSCO E-Book from the UMUC library)
Olson Chapter 4: Project Selection and Approval in Information Systems Project
Management (UMUC EBSCO E-book, available from the library)
Prosci,(2014) Integrating Change Management and Project Management. Retrieved from:
https://www.prosci.com/change-management/thought-leadership-library/integrating-
change-management-and-project-management
Reiling, J.P. (2016, April 7). Considering the Project Definition for the Project
.
Saylor.org (2017 Chapter 1 in Project Management - From Simple to Complex. Retrieved from:
http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Project%20Management%20-%20From%20Simple
%20to%20Complex.pdf
Saylor.org (n.d.) Chapter 3: Project Phases and Organization – Project Management –
from simple to Complex. pages 73-99.Retrieved from:
http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Project%20Management%20-%20From%20Simple
%20to%20Complex.pdf
Systems Analysis and Design Tutorial (SAD) (n.d.) com. Retrieved
from: http://www.w3computing.com/systemsanalysis/
Saylor.org (n.d.) Chapter 8: Project Time Management in Project Management - From Simple to
Complex. pages 243-250
Virginia Tech. (n.d.) Project Management Methodology/Life Cycle Overview.in Information

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Technology. Retrieved from: http://www.itplanning.org.vt.edu/pm/methodology.html