PROJECT

MANAGEMENT
BY: W.ZITONGA
DEFINITION OF A PROJECT
A project is a temporary endeavor , or an attempt
undertaken to create or produce a unique product
or service.
Examples of projects include construction of Tower,
development of a specific software program etc
Any project is complex and requires careful
coordination, control of timing, precedence ,cost
etc.
Any project requires management of work
units/activities/tasks which are often broken down
into work breakdown structure.
CHARACTERISTICS/
ATTRIBUTES OF A PROJECT
• 1. TIME FRAME
A project must have a specific time at which it is
expected to start and finish
2. UNIQUE
A project must be unique and undertaken to
solve a specific problem. No two projects are
same.
3.ACHIEVABLE
A project must be challenging but achievable
CHARACTERISTICS/
ATTRIBUTES OF A PROJECT
cont’….
4. INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
A project carries risks and uncertainties
5.UNDERTAKEN BY TEMPORARY TEAMS
Projects are often run by temporary teams of workers who
are hired and off hired / laid off when the project is over.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
DEFINITION
• Project management is the process used to
manage activities which are performed in a
project to ensure that a project remains on
schedule, within budget and a safe work
environment is achieved during work execution.
• The purpose of managing a project is to organize
the tasks into manageable units where
responsibility and authority on specific activities
is shared amongst the project team on
individual level or small groups
PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
• The path /stages through which a project undergoes from start to
finish is called project life cycle.
INITIATION AND PLANNING
This is the process of identifying all the activities necessary to
successfully complete a project. A workable plan of tasks in terms of
who does what , when , at what cost and to what specification is
developed.
PROJECT SCHEDULING
The process of determining the sequential order of planned activities ,
assigning realistic durations to each activity, determining the start and
finish dates for each activity
PROJECT EXECUTION
This is the stage where the actual project activities commence. It
involves mobilization of material and human resources
It also involves coordination of project teams’ efforts
PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
CONTINUED…..1
CONTROLLING
A project must be tracked or assessed to ensure that it is
being executed basing on client and contractors’ agreed
terms and conditions but also to ensure that materials of
quality as specified in Bill of Quantities (BOQ) are being
used. Some unprofessional electrical contractors use
substandard materials ,project managers must be strict to
verify quality of materials before use.
Frequent ( weekly, monthly ) site meetings are a key to a
successful project. During the site meeting progress of the
work must be shared, asses challenges and possible
solutions .Assign responsible individuals and must be given
time frame.
PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
CONTINUED…..2
PROJECT CLOSEOUT / PROJECT COMPLETION
This is a step where a project is handed over to the client .All
documents are signed and certificate of completion is issued to
the electrical contractor.
Defects liability period - This is a period in which the contractor
becomes responsible for any defect of the project after
completion period . Any defect which happen after the defects
liability period becomes the responsibility of the client. Defects
liability period varies from 6 months to 5years depending on
agreed terms and conditions of the project.
Some projects electrical projects are construct , develop and
run and hand over.
KEY PROJECCT PROCESSES
• 1. Mobilization
• 2. coordination
• 3. Documentation
• 4. Communication
• 5.Scheduling
• 6. scope and change of control
• 7. Cost control and billing
• 8.subcontracting management
• 9.Materials management
• 10. Tools management
• 11.Labor management
• 12. Safety management
• 13.quality control
• 14. Project close out
SUMMARIZED PROJECCT LIFE
CYCLE PROCESSES
• 1) Concept, basic ideas;
2) Feasibility; tests for technical, commercial and financial
viability;
3) Evaluation and application for funds, stating risks;
4) Authorization and any conditions;
5) Implementation including design, procurement, fabrication,
installation etc.;
6) Control/accountability, periodic reviews and updates;
7) completion and hand-over to client;
8) Operation, and inclusion in normal revenue planning/control
procedures;
9) Close down and cease operations;
10) Termination including disposal of residual assets (liabilities)
RISKS DURING THE PROJECT LIFE CYCLE

• A risk is a danger or uncertainty which interferes or

hinders the achievement of project goals. Some risks are
unavoidable such as those resulting from natural factors
such as weather factors. These natural factors are often
termed force majeure. They are serious risks which might
not be easy to predict at the project planning stage .
• RISK MANAGEMENT
• 1. avoid
• 2. share
• 3. transfer
• 4. mitigate the impacts
• 5.Reduce
Study Assignment

• 1. Discuss roles of project engineers, project managers , site

agents and materials engineers
• 2. Describe the characteristics of quasi-project
3. What are some of the interdependencies related to a
project?
• 4. . Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of project
management
• 5. Describe the life cycle of a project in terms of (1) the
degree of project completion; (2) required effort