Module 2: Nursing Informatics

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project
activities to meet the project requirements according to the Project Management Institute
(2017). It is a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to
business goals—and thus, better compete in their markets” (Hopper, 2018).

According to the American Organization of Nurse Executives, one of the five leadership
domains is business skills, which includes information management and technology.
Competencies in email, word processing, spreadsheets, and the Internet are basic skills.
(American Organization of Nurse Executives, 2005). In healthcare facilities, using the project
management process should be the norm when implementing software, upgrading
systems, or performing ongoing system changes.

SYSTEMS LIFE CYCLE: BACKBONE FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT

- A process that begins with the conception of a system until the system is implemented.
- Bernard (2009) states that “the purpose of IT systems lifecycle is to optimize technology
deployments for performance, efficiency and cost containment including the costs of
maintaining the networks and systems and even user training.”
- Corresponds to the nursing process because it begins with assessment, has multiple
places for iteration, and ends with evaluation. Like the nursing process, the wording and
number of steps involved differ according to the agency or author.

The systems life cycle process starts from Initiating where the project's scope is established,
and the project team assembled. Next is Planning where the project requirements are
acquired, detailed plans are made, and a schedule is established. This is followed by
Executing where project requirements are further developed iteratively, and the project is
continuously monitored and managed. After this, Controlling is where the resources and
project team member assignments are adjusted to keep the project on schedule with
optimal efficiency. Lastly, Closing is where the project receives final quality assessment, the
project team reviews the endeavor and records lessons learned, and the project is brought
to closure administratively and by conveying project deliverables.

The professional project manager, like the professional nurse, often manages several clients
at once. Nurses often are called on to plan, participate in, and manage special projects.
They often make excellent project managers. These projects and special assignments can
be managed most effectively when business principles of project management are
applied. This method includes defining the project, developing a work breakdown structure,
assigning resources, calculating budget implications, presenting, and negotiating the plan,
implementation, and evaluation. When appropriately used, project management skills can
have a major impact on the success or failure of a plan.