UMBB/IGEE

Project management

What is a project?
* a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product –component of
another item or an end item in itself-, service, or a result (such as a document that develops
knowledge in support of a business function)
*The temporary nature of projects indicates a definite beginning and end. The end is reached
when the project’s objectives have been achieved or when the project is terminated because
its objectives will not or cannot be met, or when the need for the project no longer exists. A
project has an expected output, a start and end date, and limited resources.
*the unique characteristics of output of the project does not mean that a project will not
include various repetitive tasks. If you want to build a formula 1 race car, the engineering will
typically go from prototype to finish product through a series of iterations. Obliviously, you
will carry out certain activities again and again as you go through various design revisions.
* A set of interrelated jobs whose accomplishment leads to the completion of the project.
* Jobs or activities consume time, resources, and are governed by precedence relations.

Variety of projects
 Projects at personal level.
 Projects in local neighborhood.
 Organizational projects.
 National projects.
 Global projects.

Features of projects
 Well defined collection of jobs.
 Generally non-repetitive, one time efforts.
 Jobs otherwise independent.
 Jobs consume time and resources
 Coordination needed between individual, groups, and organization.
 Constant pressure of conformance to time/cost/performance goals.

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Life cycle of project
 Selection of the project.
 Project planning
- Scope of work, network, and development.
- Basic scheduling.
- Time cost tradeoffs.
- Resource considerations in projects.
 Project implementation.
 Project completion and audit.

1. Project selection: it consists of:

1-1 project identification.
1-2 project appraisal.
1-3project selection.
For project Identification:
 Receptive to new ideas.
 Vision of future growth.
 Long term objectives.
 SWOT analysis.
 Preliminary project analysis.
For project appraisal:
 Market appraisal (aggregate future demand, market share, possible pricing options….)
 Technical appraisal (engineering aspects, locations, size, production process,…)
 Financial appraisal (cash flow over time, profitability, Net PW, rate of return….)
 Economic appraisal (benefits and costs, distribution of income in society…)
 Ecological appraisal (environment damage*air, water, noise, others…)
A feasibility report considers all these issues prior to the project adoption.

2. Project planning
 Forming project team with a leader.

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  Defining scope, and terms of reference.
 WBS.
 Basic scheduling.
 Time cost tradeoffs
 Resource considerations.
For basic scheduling: it consists of
 Project representation as network.
 Estimation of activity durations.
 Forward and backward pass.
 Determination of activity floats.
 Critical path for selective control and minimum project duration.
For time cost tradeoffs: it consists of:
 Normal and crash activity times.
 Linear/non linear time-cost relationship.
 Total project (direct and indirect) cost.

3. Project implementation
 Organizing team and work.
 Clear cost/time/performance goals.
 Project monitoring with regard to cost, value of work and time.
 Project control.

4. Project completion
 Disbanding of project team.
 Handing over the project to user.
 Accounting and report writing.
 Learning from the experience.

Human issues in project management

 Working together in teams.

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  Communication.
 Conflict management.
 Leadership and motivation.
 Organizational structure.
 Selection of project manager.

Summary
 Definition and examples of projects.
 Key features of projects.
 Life cycle of a project.
- Project selection.
- Project planning.
- Project implementation.
- Project completion.
 Typical project problems.
 Human issues in projects.
 Process of Identification projects.