Project Management Body Of Knowledge

Project Management Body of Knowledge Delivered by: Muhammad Moazzam

Primary Purpose of PMBOK guide: To identify the subset of the PMBOK that is generally recognized as good practice: “identify” means to provide general overview as opposed to an exhaustive description “Generally recognized” means that the knowledge and practices described are applicable to most projects, most of the time and that there is widespread consensus about their value and usefulness “Good practices” means that there is general agreement that the correct application of these skills, tools, and techniques can enhance the chances of success over a wide reange of different projects.

Audience for PMBOK guide These may include: • • • • • • • • • •

Senior executives Program managers Project managers and team members Members of a project management office Customers and other stakeholders Functional managers with employees assigned to project teams Educators teaching project management and related subjects Consultants and other specialists in project management Trainers developing project management educational programs Researchers analyzing project management

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS Project is a temporary endeavor undertaking to create a unique product, service or result. 1.

Temporary Temporary means that the project has a definite beginning and a definite end. End is reached when the objectives are achieved or it becomes clear that the objectives will not or cannot be achieved. Need of the project no longer exists. The term temporary doesn’t mean short in duration as many projects may last a few years, but since they have a definite end, they are called temporary endeavors. This term also points that the projects are not an ongoing effort. Temporary doesn’t refer to the outcome / end results of the project i.e. products, service or results. Although project has a definite life, it is undertaken to produce a lasting outcome. The temporary nature of the projects may also apply to other aspects: • The opportunity or market window may be temporary – for example some projects have a limited time frame in which to produce their product. • The project team, as a working unit, seldom outlive the project itself.

2. Unique Product, service or results A project is undertaken and designed to create unique deliverables. A project can create: • A product or artifact created is quantifiable and can either be an end item itself or a component of the item to be used in the end item • A capability to perform a service, such as business functions supporting production or distribution • A result, such as outcomes or documents. Uniqueness comes from the fact that every single deliverable is different from the other.

3. Progressive Elaboration This characteristic accompanies the concepts of temporary and unique. It means developing in steps and continuing by increments. Examples of this may be the development of a chemical processing plant and an economic development plan.

PROJECT VS. OPERATIONAL WORK Every work performed by any organization is to achieve an objective of a set of objective. So every work carried out has the following characteristics: • Performed by the people • Constrained by limited resources (time, costs etc) • Planned, executed and controlled Given this, and the looking at the project characteristics, only thing separating the operational work from project are the features of being unique and temporary while the operational work is an ongoing activity. Projects tend to achieve the desired objective and then terminate, while the operational work is carried out to sustain the business. PROJECT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING Since projects are means of organizing activities which are not generally addressed in other operational activities, these are, therefore, utilized as a means of achieving an organizations strategic plan. Project team can either be employed or contracted. • • • • •

A response to an unexpected big market demand Addressing an organization’s needs e.g. training. Delivering a specific customer request A technological advancement A Legal requirement

WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT? This refers to the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. Main processes involved are initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Project manager is the person responsible for establishing the project objectives. Managing a project includes: • Identifying requirements • Establishing clear and achievable objectives • Balancing the competing demands for quality, scope, time and costs. • Adapting the specifications, plans and approach. Project managers are often confronted with “triple constraint” i.e. project scope, time and costs. Project management team has a professional responsibility towards their stakeholders e.g. customers, organizations and the public. Most of the project processes are iterative with the concept of progressive elaboration.