Project Management Skills
A collection of key project management skills and competencies for success.
An Introduction to Project Management
This introduction is a good starting point for anyone new to project management or considering a career as a project manager.
PDF Document: Project Management Process
Role of the Project Manager
A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful planning and execution of a project. He/she must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills.
SMART Goals
Once you have planned your project, turn your attention to developing several goals that will enable you to be successful. Goals should be SMART - specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic and time-based.
Planning a Project
Projects do not just happen they are planned. The plan should be developed by the whole project team not just the project manager.
Template: Work Breakdown Structure
Project Management Tools
A Gantt chart, Logic Network, PERT chart and Work Breakdown Structure are common tools used when planning a project.
Tool: CanPlan v6.0
How to Create a Gantt Chart Using Microsoft Excel.
Since the initial introduction of Gantt charts, they have become an industry standard as a key project management tool for showing the phases, tasks and activities that are scheduled as part of a project over time. This video presentation shows a step by step guide to creating a Gantt chart using Microsoft Excel 2007.
Estimating Project Costs
Estimating is the process of forecasting a future result in terms of cost, based upon information available at the time.
PDF Document: Monte Carlo Simulation in MS Excel
Funding Proposal
If you are already familiar with the ubiquitous Project Brief and would like to try something new, here's an idea. Why not try writing a Funding Proposal. The main difference is the focus on the goals and objectives of the project, feeding into a set of measures for evaluation of project success.
Template: Funding Proposal
PDF Document: Cost Benefit Analysis
Stakeholder Management
A stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in your project or will be affected by its deliverables or outputs. It is important to understand the values and issues that stakeholders have in order to address them and keep everyone on board for the duration of the project.
Template: Stakeholder Management Plan
Risk Management
A risk is any event that prevents a project realising the expectations of your stakeholders. A risk that happens becomes an issue that must receive prompt attention to keep the project on track.
Template: Risk Log
Change Management
The change management process is key to the successful outcome of a project. The process ensures that each change introduced is properly defined, considered and approved before implementation.
Template: Change Request Form and Change Log
Progress Reporting
Progress reporting is a key element of project management. Reports should be issued by the Project Manager and circulated to all stakeholders on a regular basis.
Template: Progress Report
Requirements Gathering
Requirement gathering is an essential part of any project and project management. Understanding in detail what a project will deliver is critical to its success.
Template: Statement of Requirements
Tips and Reminders for Project Managers
Here are some essential tips and reminders we have compiled for those new to project management or in case you need to refresh your memory.
Using Feedback as a Tool
As a project manager it is important to be able to give and receive feedback effectively. Feedback is best given on a one to one basis soon after the event that triggers its need. Here are some tips that can help.