Project Management
Project Management
Project Management
Features/Characteristics of a project
A project is any series of activities and tasks which
convert an idea, a design or a plan into concrete entity
that have specific objectives to be completed with certain
specification within pre-determined time period, budget
limits and consumes human and non-human resources.
Project has several characteristics among them some are
mentioned below:
1)Specific goal/Objectives
Every project has its own goals or objectives. Projects
have specific objectives to be completed within the
certain provision. It focuses on end outcomes. Its output
is measurable. Once the project objectives have been
accomplished or achieved the project ceases to exist. The
projects goal must be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable,
Acceptable, Realistic and Time bound
2)Temporary nature
The project is temporary in nature; it has fixed starting
and ending date. A single project does not continue
endlessly.
3)Life-span/cycle starting and end
Every project has limited life span with pre-fixed starting
and ending date. The life span consists of the stage of
initiation, planning and design, implementation,
monitoring and control and termination. The life span of
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Project management
Project management is a carefully planned and organised
effort to accomplish successful project. Project is a
temporary unique and progressive attempt or endeavour
to produce a specific result.
Project management includes developing a project plan,
which includes defining and conforming the project goals
and objectives, identifying task and how goals will be
achieved. It also includes managing the implementation
of the project plan, along with operating regular to ensure
Characteristics
1. Objective oriented
2. Team work
3. Planning, implementation and controlling
4. Change oriented
5. Uniqueness
6. Constraints of time, cost and quality
7. Functional co-ordination
8. Management of project
9. Matrix organization
Benefits/Importance of project management
1)Resources utilization
2)Team development
3)Customer satisfaction
Whenever you get a project done on time and under
budget, the client walk away happy in a happy client is
one you will see again.
4)Change management
Change is a natural phenomenon with every project
throughout its life-cycle, project very during its life span
in term of technology, equipment, material, machinery
people, work ethics and organisation culture. Some
changes in these variables may not have any major
impact, but some others may change the very nature of a
project. Therefore, the interrelationship and management
of change between these variable is required for
successful completion of a project.
5)Matrix model
6)Social prosperity
7)Time management
8)Quality work
Because of better efficiency and better strategies, we can
achieve said goals with specific time and cost parameter.
9)Overall development
10)
Emergence, growth or development of project
management
Project management has a long history since human
civilization. It is not the substitution of traditional
management but it is new and modified version of
traditional management. Its origin is anciently rooted in
antiquity. It was the demand of time rather than desire,
due to limited resources, time, cost and quality
standards. The growth and development of project
management are roughly studied by classifying in
following two eras.
A. Ancient/ Traditional era
Project management is started since time immemorial.
The pyramid and Babel tower of Egypt are known as the
oldest construction project of the world. The Great Wall
of China (220-206 B C), Taj mahal (1632-1653 A D),
the churches of Europe, the temples of Nepal and India,
the Suez-canal the Panama Canal are some introductory
examples of ancient era project. At that time, the rules of
Project objectives
Project constraints
Project resources
Human
Non-human
Project has a human and nonhuman resources, the
human resources include specialized experts and
managerial personnel. Research availability sets a limit
on project activities
iv.
Project structure
a)
Competitors
Consultants
Influences
The project activity requires professional expertise. So
consultants are hired for various activities consultants
influence the project activities directly through the
professional services.
Experts for advice to perform project activities
e)
Suppliers
Labour unions
Government
Caste/creeds
Class
(Rank within a society determined by its members)
Languages
Group
Attitudes
Regions
Beliefs
customs
d)
Technological environment
The level of technology, pace of technological change and
changes in wok method greatly affect projects.
Computerization, robotization, automation and
information technology have had profound impact on
projects
Ideas, process, tools and methods to convert inputs
into outputs (labor based-capital based)
I.
Level of technology
Simple to complex
Labour intensive and capital intensive
Labour intensive: use of more labour
capital intensive: use of more machines, Nano,
automation, robotics, computerization
II.
III.
Transfer of technology
Developed to developing or underdeveloped
countries
Foreign direct investment (FDI)
Multinational companies
i.
ii.
Concept
Foresight
iii.
Judgmental capacity
iv.
Intuition
2. Technical skills
Technical knowledge
Performance
iii.
Problems
iv.
Solution
v.
Terms
Determined
ii.
Courage
iii.
Patience
iv.
Charismatic
b. Inspiring Styles
c. Motivating
2)Interpersonal roles
a. Listener
b. Collector
c. Motivating
3)Decisional roles
a. Rational decision on right time
b. Disturbance handler
c. Conflict management
d. Resource allocation
4)Balancing roles
(Customer-functional departments-stakeholders)
a. Department
b. Stakeholders
c. Teams
Among the above mention roles there are:
5).Informational role (gathering-analysis-selectionstorage dissemination-spoke person)
6)Analytical role (positive and negative parts of projectSWOT analysis)
Need identification
ii.
Ideas germination
Pre-feasibility study
Requirement of project
Project definition
ii.
iii.
iv.
Technology selection
v.
vi.
vii.
ix.
Pre-tender of contracts
x.
Organization structure
D.Implementation Phase
In this phase, the improved project plan is
converted into reality to achieve the project
objective. The implementation phase is the most
important phase takes more than 89% of the time
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
iii.
iv.
Auditing
v.
vi.
vii.
Project Management
Product Management
directing, controlling
and managing
resources to achieve
specific goals within
predetermined time
period.
2)Organi separate and
zation temporary
product management.
3)Struct
ure
Generally Matrix
model- separate
temporary
organization
4)Life
Fixed (start and end)/
span/T Certain beginning and
ending time
ime
period
Simple functional
model
5)Life
cycle
6)Existe
nce
From prefeasibility
study or begins from
logical ideas
7)Appro
ach
Project management
approach- project
manager involved in
all phases of product
8)Emplo
yees
Managed by
multidisciplinary
project team under
Can be prolonged
through differentiation,
positioning and
improvements
Begins after project
ends/Exist only after
production of productR&D of product
Use PM approach for
new product
development- not
involve of project
manager in all stages
General permanent
staff/Managed by
specialist in marketing
project managertotal
responsibility and
accountabilitytemporary
9)Flexibi
lity
Flexibility and
operational autonomy
to manage risk and
adaption to
environmental
changes
10) Appl Applicable in various
ication types of activities/
multi-sectors
11) Acti One time unique
vities / activities and
Nature temporary act
Responsibility of chief
executive is more
Project
Management
1)Functi
ons
planning, organizing,
implementing,
controlling,
managing resources,
changing task of
innovative nature
2)Organi separate and
zation temporary
/Natur
e
3)Struct
ure
4)Life
Traditional
Management
Planning, organizing,
staffing, directing,
controlling, consistent
task of maintenance
nature
long run and
permanent
span/d
uratio
n
5)Linestaff
relatio
nship
Clearly defined
authority, line authority
makes decision, staff
authorities suggests
and advise.
7)Emplo
yees
Managed by specialist
in marketing under the
leadership of functional
manager-responsible
for results towards
marketing manager
and CEO-permanent
Rigidity in rules and
standing operating
procedures- problems
of environmental
adaptation- does not
respond in changing
needs of the
environment
Risk aversion
8)Flexibi
lity
Managed by
multidisciplinary
project team under
project manager
total responsibility
and accountabilitytemporary
Flexibility and
operational
autonomy to manage
risk and adaption to
environmental
changes
9)Risk
10) Cha
Change oriented
Centralized authority
Resistance to change
(status-quo)
nge
Manag
ement
11) Cons Time, cost and
traints quality performance
Without considering
important
Single boss
13) Deci
sion
makin
g
Not participative
Participative
Mostly chief
Demerits
Lack of technology
Time consuming
Demerits
Traditional thinking
Original
More labour than machines
This type of project has unique identity, it helps to
preserve and protect tradition and culture provides
impetus for success of plan ad help to expand people
friendly market for local products.
Examples:
Pagoda style temples in Kathmandu valley
Khukuri production in Bhojpur
Nepali paper production
Nepal woolen carpets
Ancient palaces in Kathmandu valley
Kulo system for irrigation, etc
Merits
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Original
Protection of culture and customer
Self-reliant
Export
Historical remark
Demerits
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Conventional
Low economic growth
Time consuming
Technological retardation
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Demerits
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Infrastructure development
Friendly relation
Economic development
Grants or low cost of fund
Technological development
Employment opportunities
People based relation
Demerits
Dependency
Unnecessary condition
Maximum interference
Possibility of corruption
Threats to national culture
d)Multilateral project
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Demerits
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Loan burden
Long term project
Corruption
The national as well as foreign personnel make
economic corruption with loans and aids
received from the donor agencies. While dealing
with loans and aids of donor agencies the
concerned personnel of both country demand for
commission and it enhances corruption.
Difficult in implementation
Uncertainty
vi.
vii.
bilateral project
joint venture
project
A project run by
The project which
mutual
is undertaken to
agreement
produce goods
between the
and services
projects of two
through
friendly nations is collaboration of
known as bilateral foreign and local
project.
companys
investors is called
joint venture
project
There is joint
investment of
domestic and
foreign investors
in this project.
This project is
profit motive.
There is an
agreement
between native
investors and
foreign investors.
2. Investment
This project is
based on foreign
aids and grants.
3. Motive
This project is
service motive.
In this project,
there is
agreement
between two
countries i.e.
developed and
developing or
underdeveloped
country.
The donor country Both domestic
itself conduct
and foreign
bilateral project.
investors jointly
conduct the joint
venture project.
4. Nature of
agreement
5.
c) Special project
A project established for a short duration of time where
authority is delegated to specialists outside the
department. The committee or persons who do the work
and prepare their research report for the investigation
work falls under this category.
d)Complex project
A project in which is much larger in magnitude. It requires
a larger team to work out and resources are pooled from
various source.
E.On the basis of orientation
a) Product oriented project
A project which produces product is called productoriented project.
b)Service oriented project
The project which provides the services to the people of
the society of a particular area is called service oriented
project. Its main aim is to produce service.
F. On the basis of sponsorship
a) Organization
The projects sponsor to develop a new products, process,
service or technology e.g. production of noodles, dairy,
juice, factory, etc.
b)Customer
Customers sponsor projects to satisfy their own needs
c) Contractors
The major characteristic of a project is contract which
may be subcontracted by main contractor.
d)Government
e) NGOs/INGOs
International non-government organization (INGO)
sponsor projects for local NGOs for advocacy, income
generation, education, education, health, etc.
f) Donors project
G.
Verifiable performance
Appendices
Project programme and system
System approach of project management
Composition of many ingredients or parts to form a
unitary whole
A structure of interrelated organs or elements
Succession design
Synergistic effect
Input- process-output-environmental factorsfeedback
Leads to completion on time within predetermined
resources
Channelization of each and every tasks of project
David I Cleland opined, A system viewpoint is based
on the concept of interdependency of sub-systems. It
is a complex whole and assemblage or combination
of things or parts farming a complex or unitary
whole.
Micro part will be sub-system of big part
Project specification
A list of technical aspect of materials, manpower,
machinery and equipment, quantity, etc.
It is serially prepared by describing technical
contents procedures and activities to be undertaken.
Activities or work may be construction, procurement,
installation, scheduling, and work break down
structure and so on.
i.
ii.
Source of capital
Cost of capital
iii.
Return of capital
iv.
Mix of capital
v.
vi.
vii.
Fund of capital
Capital budgeting
Projected cash inflow and outflow
Private project
ii.
Public project
iii.
iv.
Overall prosperity
v.
Profitability
c) Marketing study/analysis (market )
i.
Production goal
ii.
Raw materials
iii.
Sales forecast
iv.
4Ps
v.
vi.
Competitive strategy
Delivery strategy
d)Managerial study/analysis
i.
Management theory
ii.
Managerial functions
iii.
Institutional relation
iv.
Key shareholders
v.
Structure
e) Technical study/analysis
i.
ii.
iii.
Working conditions
iv.
Design requirement
v.
Choice of technology
vi.
Civil engineering
vii.
Service facilities
viii.
Time scale
f) Environment study/analysis
i.
ii.
Environmentally sustainable
Environmental impact Assessment (EIA)
iii.
iv.
v.
In p u t
M oney
H u m a n re s o u rc e s
N o n -h u m a n
re s o u rc e s
S e m i-s k ille d
S k ille d
M a t e r ia l
T e c h n o lo g y
M a c h in e
U n s k ille d
M e th o d s
In fo r m a t io n
O u tp u t
C.Financial analysis/study
i.
Source of capital
ii.
Amount of capital
iii.
Cost of capital
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
P u b lic a w a r e n e s s
S o c i a l b e n e fi t s
C u sto m e r
s a t is fa c t io n
M o n e ta ry
b e n e fi t s
Change
I.
CPM is used
To use work breakdown structure (WBS)
To make sequences
Determination of cost, time and resources in
each activity
To draw network lines assembly
Such method is extensively used in large
and complex projects like construction,
information and research for their planning,
scheduling, controlling and coordinating
activities.
II.
+4 TmTp
6
Where,
To = The Most Optimistic Time
It is the shortest possible of everything goes
perfectly with no complication; the chance of this
occurring might be one in hundred.
Tp = The Most Pessimistic Time
It is the longest time period including time for unusual
delay. Thus, the chance of this happening might be only
one in hundred.
Tm = The Most Likely Time
It would be the best estimation of what normally would
occur.
PERT provides
Information about the time period
Finished time of the project
Starting and finishing time for each activity
Activities that need to be done sequentially
Bases of
difference
1. Orientation
2. Modes
Critical path
method (CPM)
Programme
evaluation and
review
technique
(PERT)
CPM is an activity- PERT is an event
oriented.
oriented.
CPM is
PERT is a general
3. Consciousnes
s
4. Estimation
5. Delay
deterministic
model.
CPM is cost
conscious.
CPM estimates
latest time and
cost to complete
the project.
and risk-oriented
model.
PERT is time
conscious.
PERT estimates
normal estimated
time to complete
the project by
using three time
period The Most
Optimistic time
period (To), The
Most Pessimistic
time period (Tp)
The Most Likely
time period (Tm)
When any one
There is no such
activity is delay in rigidity in PERT
CPM the whole
which have more
project will be
alternative time
delayed in the
periods.
completion of
project.
Distance (km)
Cost
Raxual
Amlekhgunj by
East-India
Company
Jayanagar Janakpur by EastIndia Company
Raxual Birgung
(Sirsiya)
Total 51 km but
Was not disclosed
now only 29 km
been used
5 km goods carrier $28.5 million with
the aid of world
bank
Vertical relation
One way downward communication
The oldest structure
Not separate independent structure for the project
Departmentation
Unity of command
It hires its staff from open market for the particular period
of job
Merits
1)Focus on project activities
2)Clear authority and responsibility
3)Effective communication
4)Flexible labour force
5)Separate identity
Demerits
1)Expensive
2)Inconsistency
3)Lack of job security
4)Projectities
5)Imbalance work load
Project
manag
er
Function
al
manager
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
and
objective
Integration
of projects
Direction to
project
Project
planning
Functional
planning
Project
budgeting
and
breaking
Functional
direction
Where,
=Actual responsibility
=General supervision
Must be consulted with
May be consulted with
Must be notified to
Must be approved from
Merits
Is beneficial to schedule and define the
responsib4ility and rights of the project participants.
To remove or minimize confusions among the
participants
Types
1. De-jure authority (Legal authority)
Legal power to command project team
Comes from higher level and delegated to junior level
Its sources:
Organizational position or post
Corporate laws, policies and procedures
Delegated power
Job description
2. De-facto authority (Real authority)
Specific
Measurable
Meaningful to all team members
Come from various background
Synergistic effect
SWOT
Flexible
7)Distinct priority and outlook
Various backgrounds, priorities and outlooks
Different opinions and ambitions
8)Lack of commitment
Sufficient facilities
Passiveness
Types of work team (project team)
a. Virtual team
Use information technology and computers to tie together
to achieve a common goal
Members collaborate on-line through communication such
as E-mail, voice mail, Video conference, etc
Such teams lack face to face communication
Limited social interaction
Work together with persons miles away
b. Problem solving team
Problem solving teams share ideas and offer suggestions
Problem related with quality, efficiency and safety at work
place
Creative members
Seven Cs of team building
1. Conceiving mutual trust
2. Concurring
3. Committing
Team committed towards actions or work
4. Communicating
Exchange of opinions, views and ideas among the team
members
5. Co-ordination
Co-ordination among work, efforts, departments and
team members
6. Control
Actual performance of team standard (estimated)
performance of team
If there is deviation control
7. Counseling
Exercise of self discipline and self created solution
Ten characteristics of effective team
1)The right team leader
2)The right team goals
3)The right team members
4)The right team meeting location
Bibliography
i. Dr. Govind Ram Agrawal, MK publication
ii. Khanal publication
iii.
G 7 publication