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Scientifically Learning The Art Of Project Management
By | January 27, 2010
Any task which has a fixed beginning and a definite end is termed as a project. In today’s world, most work is based on project methodology. Therefore, it is imperative that we develop an understanding of projects and the management tools and techniques used in order to meet the project objectives. Project Management training goes beyond the realms of training restricted to water-tight compartments of technology, management etc. Projects may involve all these fields and project management training must therefore include training across the domains.
As an example, let’s look at a software development project. The project, of course, starts with a need for a certain piece of software. This provides the justification needed to begin. Next, the business analyst who is responsible for the relationship with that client will meet with them to determine what exactly they need. The analyst can then write up the requirements. Those can be tested using any of a number of requirements analysis software packages that are available. Once the requirements are finalized and properly documented, the next phase of project management can start.
Any project revolves around resources. These resources have attached costs. Good project management aims at maximizing the returns on the investment made in these resources. Since, each activity in a project has a planned finish date, it is important to continuously monitor and control the activities according to pre-planned timelines. A popular tool used for this purpose consists of project management templates built using worksheet processing softwares. For this reason, project management training should emphasize teaching these worksheet processing softwares.
Two way comunication is very critical to the success of a project . The feedback loop is intended to provide information regarding the status of a project to managers . The project may take more or less time to finish depending on it’s curent state . The importance of everyone involved in a project to be trained in communication tools has never been more important than now . Mail software training is only a part of communication . Being updated with the current status and accordingly planning for the future ultimately determines the success of a project .
Projects also involve human capital. Resource allocation deals with allocation of resources capable of doing tasks in a logical manner in order that the project objectives are met. Training in project management must include sessions on human organizational behavior, costing and human resource management. Such training must also include sessions on quality, value engineering, and theory of constraints. These theories are not to be just read, but imbibed as a philosophy in every project. Therefore the training in project management must include tasks which involve application of the key take-aways from the sessions.
In recent times, many trainers have started using specially designed computer games to illustrate the project management concepts. these games involve the learner to use project management technology and focus on their approach to training project management concepts. The outcome of such game based training is quantifiable through course assessment. it can be summarized that training should also involve the learner to perform tasks using project management technology and not only traditional project management philosophies.
Project management training helps project managers to learn the principles that lead to successful execution of projects. Investments in such training will result in measurable benefits to an organization’s profits. Traditionally it has evolved from the benefits of a set framework of principles and best practices. However modern project managment methodology moves beyond this and cultivates a habbit of applying lessons learnt from past. Lately, some trainers have started using specially designed computer games to illustrate the project management concepts. We can summarize that training should not only involve the traditional project management philosophies but also involve the learner to perform tasks using the project management technology, himself.
- George H. Purdy
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