Project Management Basics

Study Notes

Project Management Definition

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently.
It involves planning, organizing, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals and objectives.

Project Management Process Groups

Initiating: Defining project scope, goals, and deliverables.
Planning: Developing project plans, schedules, and budgets.
Executing: Carrying out project tasks and activities.
Monitoring and Controlling: Tracking project progress, identifying and correcting deviations from plans.
Closing: Formalizing project completion, documenting lessons learned, and evaluating project success.

Project Management Knowledge Areas

Integration Management: Coordinating all aspects of the project.
Scope Management: Defining and managing project scope.
Time Management: Developing and controlling project schedules.
Cost Management: Establishing and controlling project budgets.
Quality Management: Ensuring project quality and performance.
Resource Management: Planning, organizing, and managing project resources.
Communications Management: Planning, executing, and controlling project communications.
Risk Management: Identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risks.
Procurement Management: Planning, conducting, and administering contracts.

Project Management Tools and Techniques

Gantt charts: Visual representations of project schedules.
Work Breakdown Structures (WBS): Hierarchical decomposition of project tasks.
Earned Value Management (EVM): Measuring project performance and progress.
Critical Path Method (CPM): Identifying critical project tasks and dependencies.
Agile methodologies: Iterative and adaptive approaches to project management.

Project Management Roles and Responsibilities

Project Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, and controlling the project.
Project Sponsor: Provides resources and support for the project.
Project Team: Carries out project tasks and activities.
Stakeholders: Individuals or groups impacted by the project.

Project Management Challenges

Scope creep: Uncontrolled changes to project scope.
Schedule delays: Project timelines not met.
Budget overruns: Project costs exceeding budget.
Communication breakdowns: Inadequate or ineffective communication among stakeholders.
Risk management: Identifying and mitigating potential project risks.

Project Management

Applies knowledge, skills, and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently.

Project Management Process

Consists of five process groups:
- Initiating: Defines project scope, goals, and deliverables.
- Planning: Develops project plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Executing: Carries out project tasks and activities.
- Monitoring and Controlling: Tracks project progress, identifies and corrects deviations from plans.
- Closing: Formalizes project completion, documents lessons learned, and evaluates project success.

Project Management Knowledge Areas

Integration Management: Coordinates all aspects of the project.
Scope Management: Defines and manages project scope.
Time Management: Develops and controls project schedules.
Cost Management: Establishes and controls project budgets.
Quality Management: Ensures project quality and performance.
Resource Management: Plans, organizes, and manages project resources.
Communications Management: Plans, executes, and controls project communications.
Risk Management: Identifies, analyzes, and responds to project risks.
Procurement Management: Plans, conducts, and administers contracts.

Project Management Tools and Techniques

Gantt charts: Visual representations of project schedules.
Work Breakdown Structures (WBS): Hierarchical decomposition of project tasks.
Earned Value Management (EVM): Measures project performance and progress.
Critical Path Method (CPM): Identifies critical project tasks and dependencies.
Agile methodologies: Iterative and adaptive approaches to project management.

Project Management Roles and Responsibilities

Project Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, and controlling the project.
Project Sponsor: Provides resources and support for the project.
Project Team: Carries out project tasks and activities.
Stakeholders: Individuals or groups impacted by the project.

Project Management Challenges

Scope creep: Uncontrolled changes to project scope.
Schedule delays: Project timelines not met.
Budget overruns: Project costs exceeding budget.
Communication breakdowns: Inadequate or ineffective communication among stakeholders.
Risk management: Identifying and mitigating potential project risks.

Description

Understand the fundamentals of project management, including its definition, process groups, and key activities. Learn about initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring projects to achieve specific goals and objectives.