IT Project Management: my definition

PMI defines a project as: "a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service".


I define IT Project Management as "a conscious effort to apply management processes to an IT Project".

My definition of management is simple. You manage when you plan, organize,lead,control,evaluate and ensure quality.

To manage an IT project you must plan, organize, lead, control,evaluate and ensure quality, otherwise you are not managing the project.


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Planning

    Defining objectives
    Using standard models and selecting life cycles
    Establishing breakpoints
    Defining deliverables
    Estimates, defining tasks, scedules and budgets
    Gant/ Pert-CPM


Organizing

    Infrastructure related activities
    Hiring personnel
    Sub-contracting
    Team building
    Mandates, roles , responsibilities
    Define resource requirements
    Schedules

Control

    Establishing control mecanisms
    Specifications
    Compare estimates against plans
    Formal sign-offs
    Reports
    Audit and accounting
    


Lead

    Communicate the objectives
    Establish performance levels
    Assign responsibilities
    Motivate
    Direct team work
    Manage meetings
    Manage conflicts
    Manage communications


Evaluate

    Estimates
    Financial evaluation and decision to invest
    Cost accounting
    Project financing
    Project revision


Ensure quality

    Standards
    The Quality System
    Documentation
    Quality Management
    Change Management
    Configuration Management
    Quality Assurance and control