Project Management
Notes For The Project Manager
A startup business has many moving parts, but before we get to how all those moving parts can be effectively managed, let us note some definitions:
A project is a limited undertaking with a beginning and end. It is a joint effort to achieve a set objective.
Project Management is, therefore, the process of planning, organizing, managing resources for a particular project.
While the sizes of the projects in your business might vary, it is important for each project to come to fruition with great efficiency. Whether you are managing the marketing strategy, or the supply chain, project management can be understood in the following 5 phases:
Initiating
Calculating the feasibility of the project and identifying what success will look like.
Planning
Everything is predicted. A plan works as a guide through the project and helps to keep the project on time and on budget.
Executing
The work that comes directly from the plan.
Monitoring and Controlling
Simultaneous with executing. Ensuring the work is completed timely and progress is checked.
Closing
A project is closed when the objective has been met; the product has been delivered to the client and all parties involved are notified.
As the project manager, you are required to be exceptionally accountable and responsible. It is your responsibility to balance the wants and the needs of the business as well as of the project at hand. The key to good execution is a good plan.
Here is a list of must-haves to help you with your next project planning:
- Manage expectations
- Create a task list. Make it detailed, write the order of all the tasks to be completed
- Estimate the time. How long do you predict each task to take?
- Estimate the resources. Consider people, material and money.
- Estimate the costs
- Create a schedule
- Create a communication plan
You are all set!