Overview of Project Management

Projects and the Strategic Goals of the Organization

a. The art and science of project management

Project management has a lot of upside potential. First, when done well, it
produces positive change that helps you as an individual and your company as a
whole. It can also often be a steppingstone to promotion. And it provides a stronger
sense of accomplishment and more variety than daily work tasks that never seem to
have closure. It often gives people more freedom than they normally enjoy to try new
things and take on new tasks and a chance to test and stretch their skills.
Counterbalancing these positives are the challenges that face all project managers.
They have to become politically savvy. They have to tolerate more uncertainty and
ambiguity than would be acceptable in other areas of work. They have to deal with
frustration, especially if they’re project managers with responsibility but no authority.
The risks are big: having a project go sour can hurt a career far longer than failing in
something far less visible. Project management is both a science and an art. The
science side is learning how to define, coordinate, and document the work. You have to
be comfortable working with budgets, estimating time, and deciding what resources are
needed. You have to learn how to dig for the true need, not a superficial solution that
someone wants to put into place. You have to become comfortable with the tools of
project planning: Gantt charts, network diagrams, control plans, and economic value
analysis. The art side is developing your judgment and learning how to lead people.
You have to learn to pay attention to details but not get wrapped up in them. You have
to make countless decisions with insufficient information and despite conflicting signals.
You have to condition yourself to seek acceptable solutions rather than perfect ones.
Most project managers work in complex organizations, with team members drawn from
several work groups. That creates unique management challenges and puts a high
premium on your ability to cultivate a smooth working relationship with many other
people inside (and perhaps outside) your organization. This book covers some of the
essentials of the art and science of project management. It talks about defining true
needs, building a solid team, and performing a financial analysis. It addresses how you
can find the right balance points between extremes like “managing everything vs.
managing nothing” and “doing work yourself vs. letting the team do everything.”
Reading this book will help develop the foundation you need to become a high
performing project manager. “

Project management is both an art and a science that involves planning, executing, and
closing projects effectively and efficiently. It requires a combination of technical skills,
leadership abilities, and a nuanced understanding of human behavior. Let's explore the art
and science of project management:
The Science of Project Management:
 Methodologies and Frameworks:
 Waterfall: Sequential approach with distinct phases.
 Agile: Iterative and flexible approach, emphasizing collaboration and adaptability.
 Scrum: A specific Agile framework with roles, events, and artifacts.

 Project Life Cycle:

 Initiation: Defining the project at a broad level.
 Planning: Creating a detailed project plan.
 Execution: Putting the plan into action.
 Monitoring and Controlling: Tracking, reviewing, and regulating project progress.
  Closing: Completing the project and ensuring all aspects are finalized.

 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS):

 Breaking down the project into smaller, manageable components.
 Hierarchical decomposition helps in understanding the scope of work.

 Critical Path Analysis:

 Identifying the sequence of tasks that determine the duration of the project.
 Helps in understanding dependencies and ensuring timely completion.

 Risk Management:
 Identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate or respond to
them.
 Monitoring and controlling risks throughout the project life cycle.

 Resource Management:
 Efficient allocation and utilization of resources (human, financial, and material).
 Balancing workloads and optimizing resource usage.

The Art of Project Management:

 Leadership and Communication:
 Inspiring and motivating the project team.
 Effective communication with stakeholders, team members, and other relevant
parties.

 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution:

 Resolving conflicts within the team or between stakeholders.
 Negotiating with team members, clients, or vendors to achieve consensus.

 Adaptability and Flexibility:

 Responding to changes in project scope or requirements
 Being flexible and adaptable to unexpected challenges.

 Decision-Making:
 Making informed and timely decisions.
 Balancing risks and benefits to ensure project success.

 Creativity and Innovation:

 Finding innovative solutions to challenges.
 Encouraging a creative and open-minded project environment.

 Stakeholder Management:
 Identifying and understanding the needs of various stakeholders.
 Building strong relationships to ensure ongoing support and collaboration.

 Emotional Intelligence:
 Understanding and managing emotions within the team.
 Empathy and effective interpersonal skills.
  Quality Management:
 Ensuring that project deliverables meet the required standards and expectations.
 Continuous improvement and learning from project experiences.
In summary, successful project management requires a blend of scientific
methodologies, tools, and techniques, along with the art of interpersonal skills, leadership,
and adaptability. The combination of these elements helps project managers navigate
complexities, deliver successful outcomes, and build strong collaborative teams.

b. The project management perspectives: The Process Context, The Interpersonal &
Behavioral Context, The Organizational Context

The Process Context:

Emphasizes the systematic and structured approach to project management
and involves the step-by-step activities and methodologies to ensure project
success.

 Key Elements:
 Project Life Cycle: Defining stages from initiation to closure.
 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Breaking down the project into manageable
tasks.
 Critical Path Analysis: Identifying and managing critical tasks and dependencies.
 Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and responding to risks.

 Advantages:
 Provides a clear roadmap for project execution.
 Enhances predictability and control over project outcomes.

 Limitations:
 May not account for dynamic changes during the project.
 Rigidity in the face of evolving project requirements.

The Interpersonal & Behavioral Context:

Recognizes the importance of human interactions and team dynamics as
well as to emphasizes leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

 Key Elements:
 Leadership: Inspiring and motivating the team.
 Communication: Ensuring effective information flow.
 Conflict Resolution: Addressing conflicts constructively.
 Team Building: Fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.

 Advantages:
 Enhances team morale and engagement.
 Improves communication and understanding among team members.

 Limitations:
 Subject to the challenges of managing diverse personalities.
 Requires a high level of emotional intelligence.

The Organizational Context:

 Considers the broader organizational environment in which the project
operates and aligns the project with the organization's goals and strategy.

 Key Elements:
 Strategic Alignment: Ensuring the project contributes to organizational
objectives.
 Resource Management: Efficient allocation of organizational resources.
 Organizational Culture: Considering cultural factors impacting the project.
 Stakeholder Management: Engaging and satisfying diverse stakeholders.

 Advantages:
 Enhances overall organizational effectiveness.
 Ensures that projects are in line with the organization's mission.

 Limitations:
 Balancing competing priorities across various projects.
 Adapting to changes in the organizational landscape.

Integration of Perspectives:

 Balancing Act:
Successful project management often requires an integration of these
perspectives. Also, in achieving harmony between processes, interpersonal
dynamics, and organizational goals.

 Adaptability:
The ability to adapt these perspectives based on the unique characteristics
of each project. And by recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be
effective.

 Continuous Improvement:
Encouraging a culture of learning and continuous improvement across all
three contexts. Iteratively refining processes, enhancing interpersonal skills, and
aligning with organizational strategies.

By recognizing and addressing the nuances within each of these perspectives,

project managers can develop a holistic and well-rounded approach to project
management that increases the likelihood of successful project outcomes.

Submitted by:

JANICE B. ABELLA
MPRM Sec A

Submitted to:
ROSE ANNA L. REFUERZO, D.M.
Subject Professor