Abstract
Project management tools have evolved to become a core factor in the overall scientific and technical approach to any project at any scale. The be all and end all of project management software programs does not stop at Microsoft Project, in fact the alternative open source project management tools popularity is increasing. This document critically compares the two tools and evaluates the techniques used.
Project management advances have not occurred on the software tool front only, the project management team required and their roles and responsibilities input are also explored in this document.
Introduction
For optimum project performance and delivery it is widely accepted that it can no longer be achieved without the use of
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In today’s day and age incredible advances have occurred in the systematic division of roles and responsibilities among which individuals are liable and traceable for their every move, these however can be transferred from one position to another, often towards the more senior positions. Todays project teams are executing projects remotely across different countries parallel with the advance of communication channels such as email and video conferencing. The saying’s go, a ship with two captains cannot stay a float, an army without a commander is lost. Although, these are classical metaphors, projects have recognised more than ever the importance of both the project manager and the team surrounding them, particularly complicated projects. The structure of the team will impact the way the project is executed on many levels, including efficiency, economy and ultimately success or failure. In any case, the project manager’s role is to lead the team.
Body
Depending on the user, in particular more advanced users with computer programming capability, open source programs may be preferred because it gives the user more control and the ability to enhance the program. When comparing the two, MS Project can be an expensive investment, where as many open
The paper is divided into three sections, the first of which will establish a timeline of events. This project background will serve as a case study for the analysis in the following section that will be structured such that each of the previously mentioned facets will be independently analyzed and contrasted with project management principles. Finally the paper will conclude with a summary of the analysis and recommendations based on
With the exceptional growth in technology, the present day projects are often large and complex involving a significant risk. So, a Project Management Methodology enables the delivery organization to handle these projects comprehensively, systematically and in an integrated manner, which results in strategic, tactical and operational benefits.
In the current business environment, the demand for project managers is ever growing. In short, project management is a provisional project constrained by time, cost and scope (A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2013). Between the immense organization, optimization, and communication assets skilled project management brings to a project, it is easy to see why project management is a booming field of study. Furthermore, project management can be both financially and personally rewarding when long term milestones and goals come to fruition.
There are many types of project management tools. From proprietary licensed tools such as Smartsheet for Salesforce, Oracle Project Planning and Control and Microsoft Project and Portfolio Management; to theoretical project management tools such as Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), Gantt charts and Critical Path Method (CPM). All of these tools aim to streamline the planning,
In his book, Project Management for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013) Stanley E. Portny helps others recognize the basics of successful project management. He provides the necessary information to plan and manage projects as well as providing important guidelines to develop and use the information. Project management includes dealing with a variety of people and tips are given to help identify and involve key players. This book navigates the critical tools needed to support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, organizing and controlling.
Project management is fundamentally part of every facet of life rather we have the education to realize that we are implementing it in our world or not. For everyone to understand the fundamental project team concepts and principals to have a solid understanding, it will be explained here. We will describe the five parts of the project life cycle, describe the three most important criteria for team success, describe the fundamentals of team structure, and finally list and describe the stages of a team’s life cycle.
Ron Rosenhead is Managing Director of Project Agency. He believes the modern day manager needs project management skills to deliver the organisations’ agenda. He therefore decided to write this book to help support them. The writing of this Tips Booklet fits nicely with the company motto “Helping organisations deliver projects effectively.” The word project can be misleading. Many people think of large
The software that is available is diverse and flexible enough to be ideal for both, commercial and residential projects. Contractors and project managers no longer have to be burdened down with an exorbitant amount of paperwork in order to track the progress of a particular project. The advanced technology era has ushered in a new project management model in which one of a number of project management software programs makes it easy to reduce time and costs in managing construction projects. This article will take a look at some of the software programs that are available, as well as some of the features that make them an ideal choice for construction projects.
Project Management Software it's imperative not exclusively to perceive how specialists assess it in their audits, yet in addition to see whether the genuine individuals and organizations that get it are really happy with the item.
Project management refers to the process of monitoring, planning and controlling a distinct set of tasks that have a discrete end, beginning and result. The process of project managements is carried out within three important constraints of scope, costs and time (Meredith & Mantel, 2012). The purpose of the project management is producing a product that is technically acceptable that is within and on time the budget. To attain this, project managers tries to reduce the risks linked to the project and maximum the benefits, including marketability and profit. There is a wide array of techniques and tools that are used for the purpose of helping the project managers especially in controlling and monitoring the projects.
Projects are vital for business. Successful completion of a project determines the survival of the organization. Increasing number of organizations have recognized that to be successful they need to utilize modern project management techniques. Individuals are also realizing that to be competitive in the work environment they must develop project management skills. Hence the profession of project management is growing rapidly.
Managing and tracking the progress of a project is not an easy task as it seems. For any successful project delivery the project manager and team members must be very clear about all the project goals, specifications and deadlines that need to be met in specified time in order to be cost-effective and to ensure that quality is maintained so that the customer is completely satisfied.
In adding up to the definition by Project Management Institute which was submitted at the beginning of this proposal, a substantial numbers of experts have defined project management. Kerzner (2009) stated that project management is the application of knowledge, expertise and skills, and the best technical way with limited resources in the company to achieve specific targets in order to achieve optimum results in terms of performance, time, quality and safety. Based on this perspective, it is found that project management is a set of practical understanding and skills which project managers need in accomplishing their project in organizations for satisfying result, Nicholas and Steyn (2012). However, the application of project management
Project management has become a means of remaining competitive and deliver results consistently for businesses, a report carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit mentioned roughly eighty percent of global executives believed having project management as a core competency helped them remain competitive during recession period (Gale, 2009, p.2). Organisations have become aware of their shortcomings and tried to improve but instead they struggle to find the ways to address the problems and challenges when it comes to dealing with projects. Throughout the rest of this reading material there are examples of some of the common problems which organisation of all sizes face and how project management is able to solve them effectively.
Companies these days are turning to project management to consistently deliver business results and to stay ahead of the pack in today’s competitive and chaotic global economy. Project Management is in fact elaborated as project, program and portfolio management. More companies these days clearly sees the payoff from investing time, money and resources to build organizational project management expertise which ultimately benefits the company with greater efficiencies, improved customer and stakeholder satisfaction and greater competitive advantage.