Project Management

Paolo BaroneMicrosofthttp://blogs.msdn.com/pblog@pbarone

Have you ever seen“The Apprentice”?

Do you think this isProject Management?

It is not!

Really, not!

So... What is it?

Well... First of all...

What is a Project?

A Project is...

A finite endeavor (having specific start and completion dates) undertaken to create a unique product or service which brings about beneficial change or added value.

You guessed it right...

I got this from Wikipedia

A Project is...

A finite endeavor (having specific start and completion dates) undertaken to create a unique product or service which brings about beneficial change or added value.

You guessed it right...

I got this from Wikipedia

Hopefully

Being finite a Project requires...

A PLAN!!!

The Project Manager owns the plan

Failing to planmeansplanning to fail

Plans CAN change

Having to change a plan does not mean you are not a good planner

But don’t change the plan just because!

What is the most important things to know about plans projects, and project management?

People

It is people who execute the plan

Good management of people will lead to successful projects

Understand each team member

Match roles to people

Gain people respect

Use your knowledge, not your power

Recognise the people needs and their long term development goals

Try to agree tasks and goals, not mandate them

Leadership is not management

Customers are people too

Manage them too

Communication,communication,communication!!!

If there are bad news... Don’t hide them, deal with them

Scope

Try to define the project scope as clearly as possible

Scope can change too

But when the scope changes... the plan will change too!

But when the scope changes... the plan will change too!

Processes

Processes are meaningless if people don’t understand and follow them

Processes can change

Processes will probably change during the project

Risks

Anytime we plan for something we accept risk

Risk to underestimate the effort

Risk of miscommunication

Technical risk

Try to estimate your risk and plan for contingency

Quality

More often than not 100% quality is not achievable

Accept this and live with it

You will need to make trade offs

Budget

Allocate and control your cost

Track resources

You will need to make trade offs!

Don’t be afraid to!

Learn to say no!

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody”

Bill Cosby

These are the main things I learned about projects and project management

Any questions?

Paolo BaroneMicrosofthttp://blogs.msdn.com/pblog@pbarone