9 Responses

1. Project Management
   In my view the key to getting it right is to follow a process – Stepwise.
   Start with (In Outline)
   – Choose the sponsor / team leader / team
   – Clearly identify goals and the parameters of the project
   – Identify Stakeholders & responsibilities
   – Start Risk Assessment
   – Do feasibility study to determine if go / no go
   – Assuming go
   – Do Work breakdown schedule
   – Plan work
   – Set budget
   – Obtain resources
   – Start work / monitor progressand make changes as needed
   – Keep an eye on risks
   – When complete ensure handover & closure takes place
   – Share Learning & have a big party

2. Project Management Skills
   Van
   Have a look at the OGC web site especially http://www.ogc.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002115
   Graham

3. Project Manager Skills
   Hi Van

   On a project manager’s development programme I undertook a some years’ ago, it was suggested that the essential skills for a PM included Administration, Analysis, Negotiation, Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Listening, Motivating and Deciding. My practical experience of PM has proved this essentially correct.

   We used a questionnaire to assess our skills in these areas which I still have in Word format. If you are interested, let me have your e-mail address and I’ll send it to you.

   Regards

4. Could I have a copy please Phil?
   Phil,

   Could I have a copy of your questionnaire please? You can get my e-mail by clicking on my name.

   Thanks

5. project management skills
   The list I put together from talking to effective project managers some years ago, went like this
   *communicating effectively, both sending and receiving info
   *organising workflow to meet deadlines
   *working within the organisational style, though knowing when to be different
   *knowing when to focus on the ‘customer’ of the project, and when to focus on the ‘suppliers’ of the project
   *understanding and resolving conflict
   *building and supporting an effective team
   *managing the resources involved and their flow
   *managing your own energy and time
   *knowing about yourself, your style, when to push and when to ease up

   (in Managing More with Less, p 28)

   In the plan that’s been already mentioned, it’s important to include *clarity about your responsibilities and where they end – the boundaries of the project
   *the possible impact of the project on other people
   * anticipation of possible obstacles and plans to overcome them
   *and obviously the Critical Path, preferable worked through from the end date.

6. Not sure I can add more
   Van,

   I’m not sure I can add more particularly. However as a practicising Project Manager and PM trainer if you want to discuss further feel free to drop me a mail or call.

   Regards,

7. Project Management
   I have written my own manual on Project Management and I am more that happy to let you have a copy of this.

8. PMs need Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills & Experience
   PMs need Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills & Experience

   Knowledge: most of this can be found in the Body of Knowledge for the project management professional bodies (APM and PMI both publish one – and you’l find the contents list helpful)

   Attitudes: research has identified a number of key attitudes for both project and programme managers (look at the free test at http://www.citi.co.uk for some hints – for fuller information, CITI have a number of offerings for both assessment and consultancy [end of commercial])

   Skills: can the PM apply the knowledge in an appropriate way for real situations using the appropriate behaviours for the context (these will vary with the type of project and/or organisation)

   Experience: research suggests that successful PMs have at least 8 years experience in project

9. Key Skills
   An essential part of any project management is ‘ getting the job done’ – in many projects this fundamental outcome is not looked at with the respect it deserves. I have seen excellent project managers lose sight of this is favour of getting right first the other key skills that others have already listed.

   patricia.marks@perceptionmatters.com