Abstract
This paper explores the topic of project management. It seeks to identify the key principles of project management. It also describes the life cycle of project management. This paper was prepared from information obtained from internet sources, including downloadable pdf files and other freely accessible websites. The author ran a search on the internet for the term “Project Management” using the Google search engine, then determined the universally accepted content relating to this topic by analyzing the results. As Glisson (2004) observed, the guidelines of an acceptable project proposal are the same regardless of the proposal being prepared. As such, this paper presents the best approach to the issue of project management.
Keywords: project management, project life cycle, project proposal
The meaning of Project Management
Searching for the term “Project Management” from the internet using the Google search engine reveals numerous results. When conducting this research, the author ran a search for “Fundamentals of Project Management” and “Project Management Life Cycle”, which produced notably many results too. An analysis of the content posted on these sites was then carried out to come up with the content presented in this paper.
Processes carried out in Project Management
Choudhuri (“Project Management Fundamentals,” n.d.) defines project management as the application of knowledge, skills and varying techniques to the activities of a project so as to accomplish its objectives. His research identifies five processes carried out in successful project management, namely: project initiation, planning, controlling, execution and termination. There are nine project management knowledge areas, which can be termed as the fundamental aspects of a project. Each of these areas describes the various component of a project.
Among these is the Project Integration Management. This consists of the project’s plan development, implementation and change control; and describes how the coordination of a project is to be achieved. Project Scope Management is another aspect, which defines the scope of the project. Project Time Management describes the timeliness of the project, defining activity scheduling and sequencing.
Project Management Knowledge Areas
Project Cost Management describes a project’s budget. It depicts resource planning and cost estimation, planning and control. Another area is Project Cost Management, which covers the planning, assurance and control of quality as per the project’s goals. The Project Human Resource Management is yet another fundamental aspect, describing elements of staff acquisition, organizational planning and team development. The area of Project Communication Management identifies processes involved in the collection, storage and dissemination of project information. Identification, analysis and response to project risks are handled under the Project Risk Management; while the Project Procurement Management describes how goods and services shall be acquired from outside the organization at hand. All these areas have to work hand in hand for the project to be a success (Haynes, 2002).
Project Life Cycle
A project life cycle defines the course of a project, i.e. the beginning and the end of a project (Milosevic, 2003). It identifies the various phases in a project and defines the transitional actions from one phase to another. It further defines the technical work to be carried out and the people involved at each stage. As such, it plays the role of defining the phase sequence, i.e. it links each ongoing process with the project plan. An example is the six-phase project cycle. This model includes six phases, namely: Assessment of relevant needs and opportunities, identification of project idea, designing the project, financing the project, implementation of the activities and evaluation of the results.
How to create effective Project Proposals
Every project starts with a project proposal. Nebiu (“Project Proposal Writing,” n.d.) defines a project proposal as a detailed description of activities that aim at solving a certain problem. Each proposal should include a comprehensive explanation of the project consideration, the method, the timeframe of activities in its effectuation and the necessary resources. According to the information presented in the online journal by Nibeu (Project Proposal Writing,” n.d.), the elements of a project proposal include the project title, the goals and objectives of the project, description of the expected project results, the implementation plan, the beginning of operations, resource allocation, project personnel, detailed project’s budget, technical requirements and division of sources of resources. This online journal by Nibeu (“Project Proposal Writing,” n.d.) provides significantly relevant information regarding the preparation and presentation of project proposals. Consequently, it would be of substantial support to anyone seeking to come up with a good proposal. It is undeniably one of the best available sources of such information on the internet.
References
Choudhuri, N. M. (n.d.). Project Management Fundamentals.
Glisson, A. (2004). Writing an Effective Proposal. Journal of Technical Writing, 2(1). Web.
Haynes, M. E. (2002). Project Management: Practical Tools for Success (3rd ed.). Canada: Crisp Publications.
Milosevic, D. Z. (2003). Project Management Toolbox: Tools and Techniques for the Practicing Project Manager. Hoboken, NJ: John Willy & Sons.
Nebiu, B. (n.d.) Developing Skills for NGOS: Project Proposal Writing. Web.