Project management tools and resources are available to help support the development of the project plan. Project management is the process of guiding the project from its beginning through its performance to its closure. Project management includes three basic operations:
Plan:
-
Specifying the results to be achieved
-
Determining the schedules
-
Estimating the resources required
Organize:
Control:
-
Reconfirming people's expected performance
-
Monitoring actions taken and results achieved
-
Addressing problems encountered
-
Sharing information with interested people
The basic project management process has five phases or types of activities:
-
Initiation
-
Planning
-
Executing
-
Controlling
-
Closing
Figure 3 shows the seven steps necessary to develop an effective schedule for a project. The activities to be performed are defined in Steps 1 and 2. Step 3 is the preparation of the network diagram (schematic display of the logical relationships of project activities)1 using these activities. Steps 4 and 5 include the estimation of the duration of each activity and the resource requirements. From this data the schedule can be developed, with specific dates for each activity’s start and finish. Finally, after coordination with stakeholders, the baseline for implementing and controlling the project is established.
Figure 3: Project Planning Process2
See Appendix G for the key definitions associated with project management and planning.
A roadmap helps to reflect the project plan in graphic format. This variety in presentation helps key stakeholders understand the overall effort in detail. See Figures I and 2 for the roadmaps used in Virginia.
1 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, 2000).
2 Project Planning and Scheduling, Gregory Haugan, (Management Concepts, 2002).