Lecture 1

Introduction to Project
Management
 AGENDA

1. Defining project management.

2. The project life cycle

3. The advantages of using project management

4. Roles in project managing

5. Project management skills

6. Different organizational approaches to project management (PM)

7. Link to assignment 1
 1. Defining project
management
– Project: a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique
product, service, or result.

– Project Management: The application of knowledge, skills,

tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project
requirements (PMI lexicon)
 1. Defining project
management
• Famous project:
– Pyramids of Giza,
– Olympic games,
– Great Wall of China,
– Taj Mahal,
– Publication of a children’s book
 2. The project life cycle
– Project life cycle: The series of phases that a project passes through
from its start to its completion.
– Project phases: A collection of logically related project activities that
culminates in the completion of one or more deliverables.
– Though projects vary in size and the amount of complexity they contain, a
typical project can be mapped to the following project life cycle structure:
- Starting the Project
- Organizing and Preparing
- Carrying out the Work
- Completing the Work
2. The project life cycle
 2. The project life cycle

– A Project Management Process Group is a logical grouping

of project management processes to achieve specific project
objectives.
– There are 5 process group – see the notes for detail
• Initiating
• Planning
• Executing
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Closing
 2. The project life cycle

– A Knowledge Area is an identified area of project management

defined by its knowledge requirements and described in terms
of its component processes, practices, inputs, outputs, tools,
and techniques
– There are 10 knowledges areas. Please see the notes for
details.
 3. Advantages of Project
Management
– Projects drive change in organizations. From a business
perspective, a project is aimed at moving an organization from
one state to another state in order to achieve a specific
objective.
3. Advantages of Project
Management
 3. Advantages of Project
Management

– Projects enable business value creation. PMI defines

business value as the net quantifiable benefit derived from a
business endeavor
• Tangible elements: monetary assets, utility, market share, …
• Intangible elements: Goodwill, public benefits, brand recognition, …
 3. Advantages of Project
Management
– Project Initiation Context. Organizational leaders initiate
projects in response to factors acting upon their organizations.
– There are four fundamental categories for these factors, which
illustrate the context of a project (next slide)
3. Advantages of Project
Management
 4. Roles in project managing

– The project manager is the person assigned by the performing

organization to lead the team that is responsible for achieving
the project objectives
– Functional manager focuses on providing management
oversight for a functional or business unit.
– Operations managers are responsible for ensuring that
business operations are efficient.
 5. Project management skills

– Recent PMI studies applied the Project Manager Competency

Development (PMCD) Framework to the skills needed by
project managers using The PMI Talent Triangle; three key skill
sets:
• Technical project management.
• Leadership.
• Strategic and business management.
5. Project management skills
 Technical Project
Management skill
• Technical project management skills are defined as the
skills to effectively apply project management knowledge
to deliver the desired outcomes for programs or projects
– Focus on the critical technical project (Critical success factors,
schedule, selected financial reports, Issue log etc…)
– Tailor both traditional and agile tools, techniques, and methods
for each project
– Make time to plan thoroughly and prioritize diligently
– Manage project elements, including, but not limited to,
schedule, cost, resources, and risks.
 Strategic and Business
Management skill
• Strategic and business management skills involve the
ability to see the high-level overview of the organization
and effectively negotiate and implement decisions and
actions that support strategic alignment and innovation
– Explain to others the essential business aspects of a project;
– Work with the project sponsor, team, and subject matter
experts to develop an appropriate project delivery strategy
– Implement that strategy in a way that maximizes the business
value of the project.
 Leadership Skill

• Leadership skills involve the ability to guide, motivate,

and direct a team.
– Dealing with people: visionary, communication, positive, etc..
– Politics, Power, and Getting Things Done
Leadership Skill
 6. Different organizational
approaches to PM
• Projects operate within the constraints imposed by the
organization through their structure and governance framework.

• To operate effectively and efficiently, the project manager needs

to understand where responsibility, accountability, and authority
reside within the organization
 7. Link to assignment 1

• P1 Explain the stages of the project lifecycle (PLC)

and their importance to the success of a project.
• There are 4 phases:
- Starting the Project
- Organizing and Preparing
- Carrying out the Work
- Completing the Work
 References

• Roles, responsibilities, and skills in program

management: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/roles-
responsibilities-skills-program-management-6799
• PMI Lexicon of Project Management Terms:
https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/lexicon (it’s
free to register!)
• PMBOK 6th and 7th edition