The Roles of Project Management
Project management is a process that has many different applications in both business and personal settings. According to Alexander Djerassi, there are several specific roles that project management can play. Each of these roles has its own set of benefits that can help a project run smoothly. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of project management for anyone looking to improve their project management skills.
1) Establish the Project’s Objectives
It’s important to establish key objectives in order to maximize the probability of project success. These goals should be clear and measurable so that everyone can easily understand their input. Some common objectives that many people use in their projects include setting deadlines, creating plans for putting tasks together, or even writing out derivatives.
2) Identify Required Resources
Next, project management plays the key role of identifying all necessary assets needed during the duration of a project. This means looking at internal and external factors such as human capital or access to equipment. Some projects might require very little while others may need vast amounts.
3) Manage Risks
In some situations, uncertainty can grow exponentially if left unmanaged, significantly impacting a project’s outcome. Managing risk during a project involves identifying possible issues before they occur and taking measures to eliminate them as much as possible. Without proper planning and use of tools like risk management software, a team might not have any chance of succeeding in its goals.
4) Control the Flow of Work
Controlling the workflow means monitoring and tracking progress throughout the stages of a project. Since it’s impossible to be aware of every detail at all times, project managers must learn how to make sure everything stays on track using different tools like time management and budget control.
5) Direct Team Members
Each individual has their role to fulfill when it comes to completing a project, so the project manager needs to make sure each member is aware of what they need to do at all times. Whether assigning simple tasks or delegating more complex ones, proper communication is often key for keeping an entire team on track toward common goals.
6) Report on Progress
Reports are essential to keeping project managers, team members, and stakeholders alike aware of progress during a project. A report should be as detailed as necessary and include all important information. In some cases, it may be necessary to provide real-time updates for critical projects with strict deadlines or those overseen by executive leadership.
7) Control Costs
When it comes to budgeting, keeping costs on track can be a difficult task even for experienced project managers. This is where proper resource management and forecasting becomes critical in ensuring that expenditures remain within the designated boundaries.
Project management is a multifaceted topic. It’s important to know the different roles of project management and how they interact with one another in order to achieve success. Alexander Djerassi, an entrepreneur and a recognized authority on project management, offers seven main points that are worth considering when managing projects for a business or career.