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  is a carefully planned and organized effort to accomplish a
successful project. A 
is a one-time effort that produces a specific result, for
example, a building or a major new computer system. This is in contrast to a 

,
which is 1) an ongoing process, such as a quality control program, or 2) an activity to
manage a series of multiple projects together. In some countries, the term "program" refers
to a software tool and the term "programme" can mean a TV or radio show.

Project management includes developing a project plan, which includes defining and
confirming the project goals and objectives, identifying tasks and how goals will be
achieved, quantifying the resources needed, and determining budgets and timelines for
completion. It also includes managing the implementation of the project plan, along with
operating regular 'controls' to ensure that there is accurate and objective information on
'performance' relative to the plan, and the mechanisms to implement recovery actions
where necessary.

Projects usually follow major phases or stages (with various titles for these), including
feasibility, definition, project planning, implementation, evaluation and
support/maintenance.

NOTE: There are many software tools that make project management much more effective
and efficient. Software Tools to Do Project Management Process lists software resources.
The reader might best be served to read about the overall project management process in
the section, "Foundations of Project Management" below, and then review some of the
software tools. Another approach is to review the tools as the reader progresses through
each phase of the project management process.

^
 





 


The following links are to major sections of this page, included later on below. Each
sections includes additional links.

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p
 
 

Basics of Planning
Overviews of Project Management
Roles in Project Management
Skills Required to Leading Teams and People in Project Management



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Feasibility Studies -- Is the Project Worth Doing?

Project Planning -- How Do We Determine Project's Outcomes, Goals and Objectives?
Resource Allocation -- What Do We Need to Implement the Plan (People, Money and
Scheduling)?
Risk Management Analysis -- What Could Go Wrong?
Ethical Analysis of Project -- Are We In Conformance, Morally and Legally?
Implementation of Project Plan -- How Do We Ensure Implementation While Managing
Change?
Earned Value Management -- How Do We Measure Progress and Results?
Communicating Your Plans and Status -- What Do We Communicate to Whom and When?
Evaluating Projects and Results -- How Do We Evaluate Implementation and Project
Results?
When Projects Are in Trouble -- How Do We Avoid Pitfalls and What Do We Do If They
Occur?

-  
  

 

Glossaries of Project Management Terms

Resources With Many Resources About Project Management
Software Tools to Do Project Management Process
Organizations Focused on Project Management
Getting PMP Certification
Some Related Fields
Related Library Topics


   


 

 

In addition to the articles on this current page, see the following blogs which have posts
related to this topic. Scan down the blog's page to see various posts. Also see the section
"Recent Blog Posts" in the sidebar of the blog or click on "next" near the bottom of a post in
the blog.

Library's Business Planning Blog

Library's Leadership Blog
Library's Project Management Blog
Library's Strategic Planning Blog

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It will benefit the reader immensely to have an understanding of at least the basic planning
processes before undertaking the more detailed process of project management. See
Basic Guidelines for Successful Planning Process.

Planning is all about making decisions and solving problems, so it also will be useful for the
reader to have some guidelines for
Decision Making
Problem Solving

There are numerous other topics in the Library that could pertain to project management,
but the reader might best be served to first review the resources linked from this topic on
Project Management and afterwards see
Related Library Topics

  



   

The following links provide an overview of the project management process, starting with
some definitions.
Project Planning A Step by Step Guide
Project Management
Solid Overview of Project Management
Software Technology Support Centre - Overview of Project Management
Project Management 101
Understanding Corporate Project Management
A Short Course in Project Management
Developing a Project Management Best Practice
Project Management Simply Explained
Finding Humor in Project Management
From Project Management to Program Management
Project Life Cycle
How to Teach Yourself About Project Management

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Glossaries of Project Management Terms
It Depends On What the Meaning of "Is" Is


 

 

p


Now that you've gained an understanding of the overall project management process, it's
useful to consider how the projects could be managed. One rather traditional approach is do
the best you can to ensure that all major phases of project management are addressed.
Here are two approaches that further enlighten how you might think about managing your
projects.
Agile Management (an approach to management)
Agile Project Management Methods for IT Projects (a book chapter)
PRINCE2
Benefits Management (defining benefits during and after project)
Project Porfolio Management (a primer)

 



   

Project Roles and Responsibilities
Role of the Project Manager
Role of the Project Manager
How to Be Perceived as an Effective Project Manager
Ten Rules for Project Managers
Project Roles and Responsibilities
Project Manager: Roles and Skills
In-House Project Managers vs. External
The Role (and Challenge) of the Project Sponsor
What Project Managers Can Learn from Angry Birds
What Should Be The Key Attributes of a Project Manager's Mentality?
Top 10 Leadership Qualities of a Project Manager

^ 

 
 
 
 




   

There are certain skills to have when conducting project management. It's best to have a
team of planners when doing project planning. Therefore, it's important to have skills in
forming, leading and facilitating groups. The following information will help you develop
these skills.
Yes, Project Managers Need Leadership Skills!
Kicking Off the Project Team
Team Building
Leadership (Introduction)
Meeting Management
Facilitating in Face-to-Face Groups
Group-Based Problem Solving and Decision Making
Conflict Management (this topic provides basics in managing conflict in groups)
Capturing Lessons Learning During Projects

 
 
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^ 






 !

A feasibility study determines if a project is really useful to do.
Project Management Feasibility Studies
Feasibility Study -- Can You Mange It?
Project Feasibility Study Samples
New Tools for Feasibility Studies
Feasibility Studies
How to Develop a Prototype
Have Your Project Demo Ready



   

"


  



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 !

  
p
p

Project planning includes specifying the overall goals to be achieved by the project, phases
of the project, the objectives associated with each goal, responsibilities to achieve each
objective. Planning might also include specifying milestones or deliverables to be produced,
and timelines for achieving the objectives and milestones.
Steps in Project Planning
Five Steps to Initiating a Project
Project Management Planning
Assumptions When We Plan and Define Projects
Planning a Project -- Sample Project Plans
Planning a Project -- the Basics
Planning a Project
Project Planning and Life Cycle
Project Planning (an extensive chapter)
Project Planning Evaluation Template
What is Success in Project Management?
How to Use Software to Plan and Prioritize Projects

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Some projects do planning by working from an initial set of project requirements. The
requirements might have come from other stakeholders, or people who have a strong
interest in the project and/or will be affected by the project.
Incose: International Council on Systems Engineering - defining customer needs and
requirements in (project) systems
Overview on requirements management by UK's Office of Government & Commerce
Open Architecture Requirements Management






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p


Project Proposal Writing

Generic Project Proposal Template
Project Proposal and Initiation Templates

Statement of Work
Writing a Statement of Work
How a Statement of Work Can Save Your Project

Project Charter
Project Charter Example
How to Create Your Project Charter

What is a Workforce Breakdown Structure?

Workforce Breakdown Structure
Workforce Breakdown Structure
Dependency Structure Matrix
 

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Resource allocation identifies the resources needed and schedules their involvement. It
might also consider the efficient integration of those resources and do contingency planning
in case certain resources are not sufficient or available. Some planners might include
budgeting as part of the resource allocation process.
Resource Allocation
Effective Project Team and Resource Allocation
Simple, More Practical Approaches to Actual Resource Allocation
The Cost of Unrealistic Deadlines
Splitting a Project Into Small Bits
Estimating Project Costs
Hierarchy of Project Objectives
Keys to Resource Allocation
Project Management Resource Allocation
Resource Allocation: Do You Overwork Your Resources?
Resource Leveling

Total Cost Management







 



Project Management Budgeting Tools

Project Budget and Reporting Tools

Gantt Charts
Gantt Chart links

Resource Leveling tools

Resource Leveling


   
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 !

Risk management involves identifying real and potential risks in the project and how to
respond to each. It's best if the risks are identified in a comprehensive and systematic
approach.
Project Risk Management Principles
Overview of Project Risk Management
Improving Project Risk Management
10 Golden Rules of Project Risk Management
Project Management: Risk Management
Many Blog Posts About Project Risk Management






  
 
A Consistent Project Risk Assessment Tool
Risk Management Tools



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#
 !

Ethics is clarifying what's morally right and wrong, and influencing that actions are morally
right. Ethics can include codes of ethics, codes of conduct, guidelines to resolve ethical
dilemmas and training about these ethics tools. Ethics applies in all aspects of project
management.
The Role of Ethics in Project Management
Business Ethics
Ethics in Project Management
Ethics Problems in Project Management
Ethics in Project Management
Customers and Suppliers?
PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

  




 

"


 

   #

  
  !



   

p
p 

The best practices to ensure implementation of the plan actually start early in the planning
process. The practices are the same, whether for strategic, business or project planning.
How to Ensure Implementation of Your Plan

 
 

 

p
p 

Implementation of important plans, such as strategic, business and project plans, usually
impact the strategy, structure and/or operations of the organization. Therefore, it's
important that project managers understand at least some basics about managing change
in organizations.
Organizational Change and Development

 
& 
   

"


 
 

 
&  !

Earned value management measures the progress and value of a project, especially during
implementation. When done comprehensively and systematically, it can reduce cost and
provide early detection of problems.
What is Earned Value?
An Overview of Earned Value Management
Earned Value Management for Project Performance Measurement
Earned Value Management
Why Tracking Percent Complete for Project Tasks Doesn't Work
US DoD - EVM Website - substantial resource on EVM
Dr David Christensen - EVM Bibliography






 ! 

 

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

How to Use a PERT Chart for Project Management

Why Critical Path is Critical to Project Management

Critical Path Method

Earned Value Analysis in Project Cost Estimate

Track Earned Value

 
 
'






 




 
 !

It's extremely important to communicate project plans, status and results to stakeholders.
Many project managers would agree that this is one of the biggest problems in project
management.
Project Communication is Critical!
Project Communication
Methods for Distributing Information on Projects
Real-World Project Communications
10 Tips for Creating Effective Project Reports







 

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Communications Management Matrix

What Are Some Effective Communications Tools for Managers?

  


 
  

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  !

Project evaluation is done during project implementation and after completion in order to
assess the quality of activities and achievement of results.

Project Management Evaluation

Project Evaluation and Review Technique
Methods for Evaluating Project Performance
An Objective Method for Evaluating Project Managers' Performance
Systematic Planning and Evaluating the Project Management Effort
Using Return on Investment to Evaluate Project Management Training







p

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
How to Use a PERT Chart for Project Management




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!

Why Does Project Management Fail?
Tips for Coping with Troubled Projects
Kitchen-Sink Syndrome (Project Creep)
Pragmatic Project Management Requires Focus to Avoid Creep
Prevent Project Cost Overruns With These Four Essential Processes
A New Approach of Project Cost Overrun and Contingency Management
How to Kill a Troubled Project
Project Pitfalls from Symptoms to Solution
One Project - Multiple Consulting and Freelance Clients
Surprise! The Scope of This Project Isn't What You Thought

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^
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Project Management Glossary
A Project Management Glossary
PM Forum's Glossary
Project Management Basics Glossary
Wideman Comparative Glossary of Project Management Terms)

 


 
 

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Free Project Management Articles published weekly
Webinars on Chartering a Project and Developing and Using a Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS)
Free Project Templates
Open Source book on Project Management
PM Forum Library
Project Evaluation Techniques
The Four Primary Audits in Project Management
Project Management Tools
Using a Retreat to Move Your Project Forward
The Key Elements to Managing Projects the Virtual Way
Department for Business Innovation and Skills (has numerous templates)
Tutorials Point
The Manager.org
Techie Project Management
5 Project Myths That Won't Die

^
 





   



Dave Farthing's Software Project Management Links Page
Brad Appleton's Software Project Management Links
16 Critical Software Practices - Software Project Managers Network
10 Free Tools for Effective Project Management
Microsoft Project
Process Templates and Tools
Project Management and Tools Directory
NASA Software Assurance Best Practice Centre
How to Use Software to Plan and Prioritize Projects

 ( 
Œ
 



   

International Project Management Association
Project Management Institute(PMI)
UK Association of Project Management (APM)
List of organizations focused on project management

  

 



Getting the PMP Certification
Project Management Certification and Training
PMP Certification Portal
PMP Exam in a Nutshell

^
  
Π

Enterprise Resource Planning
Agile Management (an approach to management)
Management by Objectives
Program Management

  




Communications
Coordinating Resources
Creativity and Innovation
Decision Making
Evaluations (Many Kinds)
Group Skills
Leadership
Management
Operations Management
Organizational Change
Organizing Resources
Performance Management
Planning (General)
Risk Management
Systems Thinking




Œ

 

   
 



   

  





  


There are many kinds of planning, e.g., strategic planning, business planning, project
planning, financial planning, staffing planning, market planning, etc. These kinds of planning
often have a common set of terms and activities among them. One of the best approaches
to learning about this common planning process, as opposed to studying all of the kinds of
planning, is to understand project management. At the end of this section are links to other
types of planning that are explained in the Free Management Library.