Project Management and Procurement Basics

Study Notes

Project management involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.
Key aspects of project management include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project.
Project management methodologies, such as Agile and Waterfall, help structure project work.
Effective project management relies on clear communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management.
Project success is measured against predefined objectives, deliverables, and timelines.

Procurement is the process of acquiring goods, services, or works from external sources.
It involves identifying needs, sourcing potential suppliers, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and managing the contract lifecycle.
Procurement strategies include competitive bidding, outsourcing, and contracts with preferred suppliers.
Key considerations in procurement include cost, quality, delivery time, and supplier reliability.
Effective procurement processes minimize risks, ensure value for money, and optimize project timelines.

Reviews are formal or informal assessments of project, process, or product performance.
They can be project-specific or related to broader business operations.
Reviews identify successes and failures, enabling corrective actions to be implemented.
Different types of reviews include progress reviews, design reviews, and quality audits.
Reviews involve participation from stakeholders, ensuring input from various perspectives.

Assurance activities focus on providing confidence or reasonable assurance that a process, project, or product meets specific standards or requirements.
Assurance can relate to quality, risk, security, or compliance.
It often involves auditing, inspecting, validating, and verifying processes to ensure their integrity.
Assurance activities use established methodologies, standards, and best practices.
The purpose of assurance activities is to identify any deficiencies and recommend improvement measures.

Transition management facilitates the smooth transfer of activities, responsibilities, or assets from one entity to another.
Examples include transitioning to a new system, vendor, or location.
This process involves planning, communication, training, and implementation steps.
A critical aspect is ensuring minimal disruption during the transition process.
Effective transition management minimizes risks and maximizes efficiency during the shift.

Benefits management is the process of identifying, measuring, and managing realised benefits from a project, program, or portfolio.
It requires clear definition of expected benefits before the start of a project.
Benefit realization is a continuous process that requires tracking and reporting progress.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are utilized to measure the value of benefits.
Effective benefits management ensures that the project delivers the intended outcomes and positive returns.