Chapter 4: Project Management

What is project management?

Planning, directing, and controlling resources (people, equipment, material) to meet the technical, cost, and time constraints of a project.

pure project

A structure for organizing a project where a self-contained team works full time on the project.

pros and cons of a pure project:

pros:

-project manager has full authority over the project

-team reports to one boss

-lines of communications are shortened so decisions are made faster

-team pride/motivation is high

cons:

-duplication of resources

-organizational goals and policies are ignored

-organization falls behind in knowledge of new tech due to weakened functional divisions

-team worries about life post-project

functional project:

people work on the project part-time while still belonging to their regular department (like marketing, IT, or engineering).

pros and cons of a functional project:

pros:

-team member can work on several projects

-tech. expertise is maintained within the functional area even if the team member leaves the project

-functional area is a home after project is completed. team members can advance vertically.

-many experts working in the same department creates better solutions

cons:

-motivation is weak

-needs of clients are secondary so slow responses

-Parts of the project that don't belong to a specific department don't get enough attention

matrix project:

mix of functional and pure project

matrix project pros and cons:

pros:

-duplication of resources is minimized

-project manager is responsible for project's success

-communication is enhanced

-have a place to go post-project

cons:

-2 bosses (functional manager then project manager)

-project manager needs to have strong negotiation skills or the project flops

-project managers hoard resources for their project which harms other projects

work breakdown structure:

hierarchy of project tasks, subtasks and work packages. (in that order)

there isn't one right WBS. differs per team

activities:

small pieces of work within the WBS.

always takes time even if someone isn't doing something (like waiting).

once all activities are finished the project is finished

Ostentatious Listening

actively listening to other team members

analytical and interpersonal skills

Analytical skills = solving problems with logic and data

Interpersonal skills = managing relationships and communication

importance of teamwork:

group norms determine how well a team performs, matters more than whose in the group/whole team.

they have to believe their work matters, have clear goals, team can depend on another, CULTURE matters

when managing a project you need to know 2 things:

1) how long the project takes

2) how much it costs