Basic Principles of Project

Management
For any endeavour to succeed there must be a solid
foundation upon which it is based.
However, in the case of project management, there is
little research focusing on its basic principles. Without
theoretical conclusions and evidence generated by research,
project management can be a big inconvenient hassle and
the success of that project may be questionable.
This particular issue has been tackled by R. Max Wideman
in his work, which is entitled ‘First Principles of Project
Management’. In his paper, he defines the difference
between project management practices and project
management principles. He has also proposed seven
principles of project management.
Success

The end goal of a project should be more than just

finishing timely and without going over budget. When
undertaking any sort of project, you should always aim for
the success of your product. Success is hard to measure
without any concrete terms. Therefore, before starting a
project, you and your team must come up with key
deliverables that can indicate success. This could include
the scope, quality, relevance and so on.
Commitment

The sponsor and the team must be mutually committed to

the project before it comes into existence. There must be
an acceptable level of commitment. This means that an
agreement exists between the two parties regarding the
goals, scope, quality, time frame and the cost of the project.
Tetrad-Tradeoff

This principle simply means that scope, quality, time, and

cost must be achievable and they must exist in a balanced
state for a project to succeed. One cannot be changed
without affecting the others. The implications for
the project manager include regular checks of the four
pillars to make sure that they are working together.
Primary Communication Channel

This means that the project must be governed through a

single communication channel. Although the owner can be
represented by several individuals, it is a must that he or
she must speak with a single voice. This is the same for the
team. One person must be the sole point of responsibility.
This person should have the attributes necessary for
a successful project.
Cultural Suitability

The method of management must match the type of

project and the current status of the project. The team
must be managed in a way that enables and empowers
them. This makes it possible for the team to do their best
jobs.
Process

For any project to succeed, procedures and policies must

be clearly stated and documented. This also means very
detailed planning, which usually leads to policy
development. The roles, responsibilities and delegations
must be included in policies. These policies serve as guides
throughout the lifespan of the project.
Life-cycle

This principle entails the planning and the implementation

phases of the project. Fundamentally, planning comes
before implementation. This ensures a clear path and
determines significant milestones in the project. By
carrying out this principle, you can easily determine when
your project starts and when it should end.
Eastwood Harris Supplies Project Management
Training Manuals, Project Management Training
Presentations and Consulting on Primavera
P6 and Microsoft Project 2010across Australia.