Gay Talese 1932
Project Management
"What is Project Management?"
We are all aware that organisations undertake projects and, rather than debate the merits of different definitions, it is perhaps more helpful to look at a few of the characteristics that make projects different from other work.
Projects are usually characterised by being:
Most of project management is plain, common sense and a lot of what we describe is simply a structured approach to what you would do instinctively.
"What is Project Management?"
We are all aware that organisations undertake projects and, rather than debate the merits of different definitions, it is perhaps more helpful to look at a few of the characteristics that make projects different from other work.
Projects are usually characterised by being:
- Instruments of change
- Non-routine
- Unique
- Composed of inter-dependent activities
- Carried out by people who don't normally work together
- Temporary with defined start and end dates Intended to achieve a specific outcome
- Frequently risky and involving uncertainties
Most of project management is plain, common sense and a lot of what we describe is simply a structured approach to what you would do instinctively.
The Carey Ambrose Approach
There is no magic formula for ensuring that a project is successful, but there are well proven techniques available to help plan and manage projects.
There are many formal project management methodologies that combine a framework or approach with a set of project tools and guidelines.
Some are 'proprietary' approaches developed by consulting firms and software houses whilst others are in the public domain.
They vary in scale and complexity but all are based around a small core of common sense principles.
A methodology that is commonly used in the public sector and forms the basis of the Carey Ambrose Project Management Process is PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments).
There is no magic formula for ensuring that a project is successful, but there are well proven techniques available to help plan and manage projects.
There are many formal project management methodologies that combine a framework or approach with a set of project tools and guidelines.
Some are 'proprietary' approaches developed by consulting firms and software houses whilst others are in the public domain.
They vary in scale and complexity but all are based around a small core of common sense principles.
A methodology that is commonly used in the public sector and forms the basis of the Carey Ambrose Project Management Process is PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments).
PRINCE 2
PRINCE2 is a very comprehensive methodology that can be applied to projects no matter how large and complex.
A PRINCE2 project has the following characteristics:
Continued business justification
Learning from experience
Defined roles and responsibilities
Managed by stages
Managed by exception
Focuses on products and their quality
Tailored to suit the particular product environment
PRINCE2 is a very comprehensive methodology that can be applied to projects no matter how large and complex.
A PRINCE2 project has the following characteristics:
Continued business justification
Learning from experience
Defined roles and responsibilities
Managed by stages
Managed by exception
Focuses on products and their quality
Tailored to suit the particular product environment
