A blog article discussing the different principles that can help manage projects. It discusses best practices for implementing
these principles and gives examples of how they work in practice, such as the principle of justification, in which a project is justified if it fulfills a particular purpose or goal.
Introduction
Managing projects can be daunting, but following these five principles can help make the process easier.
- Define the project scope early in the project. Establish what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom. This will help keep everyone on track and avoid confusion later on.
- Set clear deadlines for completing tasks. If a task is not completed on time, it must not be completed. This will help keep project momentum going and avoid wasted time and resources.
- Use accurate estimates when planning work assignments. Not only will this help reduce costs, but it will also minimize frustration over false expectations.
- Follow through with commitments made during project meetings. If someone says they will do something, make sure they do it. This will help build trust and ensure everyone is working toward the same goal.
- Take care of the people working on the project, especially the most critical ones. They are essential to its success and should not be neglected in favor of less important tasks or deadlines.
What Is A Project?
Project management is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and executing a project or series of projects.
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), a project is “a planned effort to achieve a specific goal.” It is “characterized by an interdependent set of activities and results monitored and recorded.” A project may be small or large, simple or complex, short or long-term.
The five principles of managing projects are:
- Plan It – develop a project plan that details what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom. This will help to ensure that all aspects of the project are coordinated and that deadlines are met.
- Assign Responsibility – give individuals and groups authority over specific tasks and resources needed to complete the project. This will help to ensure that everyone working on the project understands their role and what is expected of them.
- Communicate Regularly – keep team members informed about progress on the project through regular communication channels (e.g., meetings, e-mails, etc.). This will help avoid surprises and ensure that everyone is aware of the project’s current state.
- Control The Scope
Five Principles of Managing Projects
- Define the project’s objectives.
- Establish a timeline and milestones.
- Create a project plan.
- Manage resources.
- Monitor and review the project
Three Types of Projects
There are three types of projects: small, medium, and large. Small projects are typically completed in a day or two,
medium projects can take a few weeks or months to complete, and large projects can take years. Each type of project has management principles that should be followed to ensure successful completion.
Small Projects
The first principle for managing small projects is to break the project into manageable tasks. This will help keep the project on track and avoid distraction from other work.
Establishing deadlines for each task is also important, so everyone knows when it needs to be completed. If a task is not completed on time, it should be postponed until it is.
Another key principle for managing small projects is communication. Everyone on the team should be aware of what tasks
need to be completed and when they need to be completed. Projects that are well-communicated are also less likely to run into problems.
Finally, staying organized and efficient while working on a small project is important. The team can get more done in less time by keeping everything organized and clean.
Medium Projects
The second principle for managing medium projects is to break the project into smaller ones.
Tips for Managers and Team Leaders
- Manage expectations and communication.
- Set timelines and milestones.
- Control costs and resources.
- Keep a project on track.
- Celebrate successes!
Conclusion
In this article, we will be discussing the five principles of managing projects. Understanding and implementing these principles into your project management process can ensure a successful outcome for all involved.
There is no “one size fits all” approach to project management; what works best for one organization may not work well for another.
However, following the five principles outlined in this article will likely achieve positive results regardless of your situation.
