what is project management and what it consists of

Project management is a way of acquiring and managing resources in order to bring out specific results that would have been set earlier before project implementation. These results are better known as goals and objectives. A project has to first go through planning where the start of the project is defined and its end set. The scope of every project is to bring about a realizable change that brings end benefits. Project management involves the management of non repetitive operations which can be independent of each other so that the manager will have to develop technical skills that involve separate management. During project management one will have to achieve specific goals at a specified time while working on a defined budget. The role of the project manager here will be to optimize on integrating the allocated resources (inputs) and time to meet the goals of the project.

Project management is a process that basically has 5 elements, of which are; 1) Project initiation, 2) Project development, 3) Project execution, 4) Project monitoring and control, and 5) Project completion.

Project initiation

This stage of project management plays a key role and if not executed well the project will not be successful. This is the stage that involves the analysis of the requirements of the project for the fulfillment of the set goals. It also involves a closer look at the costs and benefits of the project so as to come up with a budget. Investors and supporting personnel for the project will also be sourced out during the project initiation phase. If there are any contracts or legal procedures that have to be executed they are to be dealt with at this stage.

Project development

This stage follows right after the initiation phase and it involves a much detailed planning of the project. The main aim of this phase will be to plan out the time frame of the project as well as map out all the resources available. All the necessary work and risks involved in project implementation will be estimated at this stage. Any obstacles that may hinder project implementation will also be identified and necessary adjustments will be implemented. This stage will also involve identifying all the necessary equipment that needs to be bought. At the end of this phase a project commencement meeting may be held where also project personnel may be appointed to get to know the roles to perform during the running of the project.

In general project development will consist of the following;

* Assembling the planning team
* Determining the planning procedure
* Development of the mission statement
* Identifying work to be done as well as the benefits that come from the work
* Calculating all the necessary inputs required for all project activities
* Calculating the time required by the project for all goals to be achieved
* Designing the calendar for all project activities
* Budget analysis
* Risk management
* Taking care of all the necessary contracts of legal papers for work to commence

• pmp certification online

Project execution

This stage basically involves taking into action what was determined in the previous stage. This will involve organizing the people and the resources so that all the activities are carried out in the exact manner that was stated in the project planning stage.

Project monitoring and control

At this stage the project would have already been initiated and it will be running. This is therefore the time when observations will be focusing on problems that will be trying to hinder the project from running smoothly. When problems are identified measures are taken to correct them in the shortest time possible. This stage will also include a constant analysis of the performance of the project so as to determine whether the project is running according to the plan or is deviating from the plan.

Project monitoring involves looking at the phase that has been reached by the project and comparing it to the phase that is supposed to have been reached as stated on the project calendar. If there is any slacking behind the matter is addressed promptly and necessary adjustments are determined. Changes to the project cannot just be applied without improvement from the project planning body. This is done so as to avoid the implementation of changes that may cause the project to divert from its original goals. Project monitoring can be challenging if the project is a multiphase project. This will mean that after every phase there has to be an analysis done so as to give feedback to the project planners so they can implement any necessary changes so as not to compromise on the execution of the proceeding phase.

Project control can be very difficult at times for you will be looking at an environment that is not static meaning that changes are eminent. It may therefore be impossible to put measures that will completely get rid of change. This is the reason why there must be monitoring so as to identify a change promptly so as to make rapid adjustments thus preventing any sidetracking of the project.

Project closing

At this stage all the goals and objectives of the project are supposed to have been met. If all the goals have been met, all the activities of the project come to an end. This stage will involve the finalization of all documentations. All records of the project will be filed and kept. An analysis at the end of the project may be carried out in order to draw out any new lessons learnt so as to better prepare for future projects. If there were any contracts that would have been signed during the project running at the end of the project they will all be settled off. In the case that there are any contracts that could have been still running all necessary payments to close the contracts will have to be obeyed. After the end of the project another phase may follow (post project analysis), which looks at the economical impact of the project after its completion.

Some useful resources:

Paralegal Certification is plus for a paralegal practitioner which give additional energy for working under a top notch Lawyer.