Project management begins with estimation: the project owner must evaluate the time, costs, resources, and effort required to complete a project or a specific task. This is followed by the creation of a project management plan, which includes a detailed action strategy. The strategy should outline how the project will be executed, defining its objectives, scope, deliverables, deadlines, resources, and potential risks.
The next step for the project manager is to develop a schedule that specifies when project activities, tasks, milestones, or deliverables will be completed. A well-structured schedule is essential to begin executing the planned activities, tasks, or processes in alignment with the project plan.
An integral part of successful project management is control: the project owner must monitor, measure, and regulate the project’s performance, progress, quality, costs, risks, and other factors, ensuring they remain consistent with the project plan and objectives. Managing change is another critical aspect for the project manager. This involves identifying, evaluating, and addressing any changes in project scope, requirements, schedule, or resources to minimize their impact on the project’s objectives.
As the project cycle concludes, all activities, tasks, deliverables, and documentation should be finalized, ensuring they meet the project’s requirements and goals. Reflection at the end of the project is crucial: the project manager should ensure that lessons learned are documented. Analyzing project insights, experiences, successes, challenges, and best practices is essential for improving outcomes and processes in future projects.
