What is project management?

Definition

Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and

experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance
criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are
constrained to a finite timescale and budget.

General

A project is a unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives,

which could be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes or benefits. A project is usually
deemed to be a success if it achieves the objectives according to their acceptance
criteria, within an agreed timescale and budget.

A key factor that distinguishes project management from just 'management' is that it
has this final deliverable and a finite timespan, unlike management which is an
ongoing process. Because of this a project professional needs a wide range of skills;
often technical skills, and certainly people management skills and good business
awareness.

The core components of project management are:

 defining the reason why a project is necessary;

 capturing project requirements, specifying quality of the deliverables, estimating

resources and timescales;

UON C&S Executive Committee Agenda Template

 preparing a business case to justify the investment;

 securing corporate agreement and funding;

 developing and implementing a management plan for the project;

 leading and motivating the project delivery team;

 managing the risks, issues and changes on the project;

 monitoring progress against plan;

 managing the project budget;

 maintaining communications with stakeholders and the project organisation;

 provider management;

 closing the project in a controlled fashion when appropriate.

Watch our short video - What is project management?

Find out why time, cost and quality are the building blocks of every project in this
two-minute video.

Time scheduling is a collection of techniques used to develop and present schedules

that show when work will be performed.
Finance: how are necessary funds acquired and costs managed?
Quality: how will fitness for purpose of the deliverables and management processes
be assured?

‘At its most fundamental, project management is about people getting things done,’
Dr Martin Barnes, APM President 2003-2012.

UON C&S Executive Committee Agenda Template

 Club Name Executive Committee Agenda

Agenda for the meeting of the (CLUB NAME) Executive Committee to be held at (XXXX TIME) on
(XXXX DATE) at (XXX VENUE).

Present (Standard agenda item)

Apologies (Standard agenda item)

Note any apologies received from Committee Members before the Agenda is distributed.

Minutes (Standard agenda item)

The Minutes of the (CLUB NAME) Executive Committee held (XXXX DATE) are attached/have been
circulated (DELETE AS APPROPRIATE).

Business Arising (Optional agenda item)

List (or members can raise) any business arising from the previous minutes.

Action Items (Optional agenda item)

List any Action Items from the previous meeting – the person responsible for each Action Item should
also be listed against the action.

General Business (Standard agenda item)

List each item separately – some items may require a line of explanation. If there is a document that
refers to/informs that item is attached or if it will be distributed at the meeting.
1. Cat In The Hat Came Back
The Cat In The Hat has returned to Newcastle and presents an opportunity for Members.

2. C&S Special Initiatives and Projects Grant

Student Central is offering grants of $500 for new projects that benefit UON students and/or
club/society members. Committee Members are asked to bring suggestions to the meeting.
Refer to C&S Guidelines For SSAF Funding 2016 (attached).

Any Other Business (Standard agenda item)

Members may raise any items of business not forwarded to the Secretary for inclusion on the Agenda.

Next Meeting (Standard agenda item)

The next meeting of the (CLUB NAME) Executive Committee will be held at (XXXX TIME) on (XXXX
DATE) at (XXX VENUE).
If the next meeting date/time has not been scheduled the agenda item would read:
The next meeting of the (CLUB NAME) Executive Committee is to be determined.

UON C&S Executive Committee Agenda Template