The key elements of project management
While we all might understand the basics, there are certain key elements to project management. And as with everything, these key elements are often brought out differently. Here are some different versions of key elements of project management:
The key elements of project management, #1:
- People
- Time
- Money
The key elements of project management, #2:
- Tasks
- Resources
- Time
The key elements of project management, #3:
- Resources
- Time
- Money
- Scope
The key elements of project management, #4:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Closing
The key elements of project management, #5:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Execution
- Controlling and monitoring
- Closing
And by no means are these five versions the only ones you might come across.
When you look at those lists, you’ll notice they are somewhat different, yet similar at the same time. We all think differently, it’s just how our minds work and what might look like a reasonable list to some, might not look as reasonable to others. For example look at #4 and #5, they are the same except #4 is missing the execution and controlling keys. The reason – the author just feels that you end up spending most of your time executing (meaning doing the work) and controlling (keeping track of things) anyhow, so need to list them separately. As mentioned, our brains work differently.
Independent of what list you might take as a bases of your own project management, as a successful project manager you’ll be doing the same things.
You start by sitting down with the client and try to figure out what it is that he needs, discuss the best ways to achieve the expected results and within what type of time frame, decide on the best ways of always keeping the client up-to-date.
You write down the goals, figure out the exact tasks that need to be completed, get together your project team and make sure they understand their responsibilities and confirm you are all working towards the same final result. You put together your plan, create project stages, divide them into pieces in form of tasks, let every project member know which tasks they are in charge of completing and the date/time they need to be ready.
You do the work and ensure the success of the project. What could be considered a successful completition of a project? It’s not about just getting the project ready but rather, when you finally sit down with your clients again both you together with your team, and most importantly, your client, needs to be fully satisfied.
Tags: key project management, keys to project management, project management elements, project management tips