As with many things, processes and procedures are defined by many sources differently, some applying to relationships and conditions better than others.

Project Management, as it relates to almost every environment in which it becomes a key element, is best summarized in the following description:

Project Management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project. It is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to execute activities to meet project requirements. It is the process by which projects are defined, planned, monitored, controlled and delivered such that the agreed benefits are realized. The role and/or process is established to define and achieve predetermined objectives of scope, quality, time and cost, to the equal satisfaction of those involved.

As with any role and task in a development environment, project management is a critical skill required for successful execution at the level demanded as part of any project. It is an essential organizing and managerial discipline in getting things done successfully. The art of managing a development task or cycle to achieve a successful balance of time, cost, and quality is achieved by participating in a project from a role maintaining “win-win” scenario, while removing any conflict of interest.

This team-oriented leadership role plans, budgets, co-ordinates, monitors and controls the operational contributions of professionals and others associated with the project. It truly maintains a forward moving environment in accordance with a client’s objectives in terms of quality, cost and time, while maintaining a position in which other team members can turn to for guidance as part of their scope execution. This role can service a series of entities, depending on the scope of the project, while understanding other aspects of the entire project. One of its key forms of measurement is to maintain successful environments for all parties involved, while meeting the goals and objectives of the project at hand.

To better define the role of Project Management, here are some elements defined by Lori Criss Powers, a system analyst and process improvement expert, along with a series of analogies to relate to those elements, better define the execution and deliverables of the project management role:

• Develop a Plan
  • Think of it as a “road map”. If you are driving towards a destination and you have no idea how to get there, what is your path and how to measure your success?
• Manage a Scope
  • This is your “turn by turn directions” that tie to your “road map”. The better you detail your scope, the better the plan is executed.
• Manage Time and Costs
  • Time is money. The better you can plan your schedule, the more cost effective you make the project.
• Provide Quality Control
  • You make the effort to detail your game plan. Don’t sacrifice the quality for the lack of day-to-day management and mechanisms to assure you are getting what you envisioned and understood as the result.
• Manage Human Resources
  • Imagine a series of people in a canoe. If you do not have enough on your canoe, performance and execution is sacrificed. If you have too many on, speed and agility are lost. If you have a seasoned captain to your vessel, the entire team works in successful rhythm to produce an efficient and productive result.
• Provide Communications
  • Communication is the key to relationships. Put your project in the context of a “marriage” between parties for a successful result.
• Identify and Mitigate Risks
  • Everyone sees a painting differently. Another set of eyes often increases the value of the painting and eliminates a lowered value assigned to the masterpiece.

Project Management is a truly a process that provides a source of managing people, time, money, and the direction in which the three elements can successfully be coordinated. Without the direction and the ability to manage successfully, the investment in top-notch resources cannot be implemented to obtain maximum results.

At Shingobee, we use these project management philosophies during our entire process, from planning through construction and real estate development. Our experienced project management and field supervision staff are experts in managing the process. Our people focus on meeting your objectives first – schedule, budget, profitability – and making your life easier in the process, with extraordinary project management and communication. View our full range of services.

Image Credits: Shingobee.com and Flickr