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Project definition, Lifecycle and role of Project Managers

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Megh Bahadur KC
Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport
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1. What is the difference between a project and routine work? 6
Answer:
Project: A project is an effort that involves a series of activities and resources, aimed to achieve a certain
output, considering constraints like time, quality and cost and which often introduces a change. Source:
Lake (1997)
A temporary endeavor that is needed to produce a unique outcome or result at a prespecified
time using predetermined resources.
Temporary – each project has a definite beginning and a definite end.
Unique Product – the outcome of a project must be unique product, service or result
Routine work/Operations: Routine work, often called Business As Usual (BAU) will continue on an
ongoing basis and is required even after the project finishes.This is a good test as there are instances
where a project team takes on BAU work to help move the project forward. For example, running the
process to set-up new users on a system.
An operation is a function that performs ongoing tasks: It does not produce a unique product or it
does not have a beginning and an end.
Project and operations share some characteristics:
Both require resources, including human resources (people).
Both are managed – that is planned, executed and controlled.
Projects have a limited duration, projects have well defined start and end dates. When the goals and
objectives of a project are accomplished, it is said to have been completed. Sometimes when it becomes
evident that the goals and objectives cannot be accomplished the project is cancelled and it ends.
Operations involve continuous work without an ending date and often the same process is repeated.
A project is considered a success if it meets the expectations of the stakeholders.
The customer is also stakeholder like contractors and suppliers.
Project being objective oriented, if not achieved timely, it may have been terminated taking it as a failure
project.
Whereas routine work consist ongoing tasks and rarely gets terminated since time is not the limited factor
there.
Project parameters: Scope, Quality, Time, Cost, Resources

2. Describe different stages of the project life cycle. 8

Answer:
We know, a project has time bound. It has beginning and end, which is also called the life.
The life of a project is divided into several phases to provide better management, control and
appropriate links to the ongoing operation of the performing organization.
Each phase defines the work outcomes or deliverables of the project.
Collectively, the project phases arranged in a sequence are known as Project Life Cycle.
Project life cycle generally defines:
What technical work should be done in each phase?
Who should be involved in each phase?

The breakdown and terminology of project phases differ; depending upon whether we are
discussing products or projects;

By: Megh Bahadur KC

 Research & Development
Market Introduction
Growth
Maturity
Deterioration
Death
Today, there is no general about the life cycle phases of a project. This is understandable because of the
complex nature and diversity of projects. But in every project, Cost and staffing levels are low at the start,
higher towards the end, and drop rapidly as the project draws to the Conclusion. The probability of risk
and uncertainty are highest at the start of the project. The probability of successful completion generally
gets progressively higher as the project continues.

Project
life cycle according to Cleland and King:
Conceptual
* Preliminary Evaluation of project idea,
* Identification of needs
* Determination of initial technical, environmental and economic feasibility and
practicability of the system.
* Preliminary identification of human and non- human resources
Definition
* Firm identification of resources required
* Preparation of the detailed plans required to support the system
* Establishment of time, cost and performance parameters.
Production
* Standardization of efforts and completion of documents of operations
* Identification and management of the resources required facilitating the production
process such as inventory supplies, labor, funds etc.
* Project implementation.
Operational
* Use of the system results by the intended customer
* Evaluation of the project and its integration into another organization
Divestment
* System phase down
* Reallocation of resources to other projects.

By: Megh Bahadur KC

3. Outline the key skills every good project manager should possess. 6
Answer:
According to Harold Kerzner: Project Management is the planning, organizing, directing and
controlling of company resources to complete specific goals and objectives.
The first rule of project management is that the people who must do the work should help plan it.
Characteristics of Project management
• Objectives- oriented
• Change- oriented
• Single responsibility center
• Requires functional coordination along functional lines (chain of command)
• Requires integrated planning and Control systems.
• Achieves results within the constraints of time, cost and quality.
Managerial Skills in simple chart

• Top Managers have the overall responsibility for the survival, growth and welfare of the
organizations.
• They should have more conceptual skills.
• Middle managers subordinate to top managers.
• They implement and control plans and strategies developed by top managers.
• They are responsible for the activities of lower level managers. It will be better to have all three
skills equally for them.
• Lower managers subordinate to middle managers. Operating personnel report to them. They
should possess more technical skills than other two skills.
•
Skills requirements for good Project manager
1.Technical skills:
• Understanding of the technology involved
• Evaluation of technical concepts and solutions

By: Megh Bahadur KC

 • Communication in technical terms
• Assessment of technical risks, trends and innovations
2.Managerial Skills
• Planning and control skills
• Organization skills
• Decision making skills
• Human Resource Management skills
• Leadership skills
3.Human Relations skills
• Communication skills
• Motivation skills
• Negotiation and bargaining skills
• Conflict management skills
• Team Building skills
4.Conceptual Skills
• They are ability to relate the project to environmental forces. The project manager should have
vision, foresight, judgment and intuition.
Roles of Project Manager
1. Diplomat:
2. Chief Executive:
3. Leader
The specific responsibilities of PM consists of :
• Defining and maintaining project integrity
• Selecting the project team
• Identifying and managing stakeholders
• Planning the project implementation

By: Megh Bahadur KC

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