New Junior Project Manager Help Please

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brendajac
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Joined: Tue 19 Nov 2013 10:18 pm

Hi All,

I am about to start a new job in project management, I was wondering if any of you gurus can possibly answer the following questions for me please.

In your experiences:

1. What are the typical problems/issues one can expect to face in any project?

2. How have you managed to overcome this problems?

3. What are the skills that makes one a good project manager?

4. What is your definition of a project?

Thank you in advance.
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dhaughey
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Location: London

In your experiences:
1. What are the typical problems/issues one can expect to face in any project?
2. How have you managed to overcome this problems?
3. What are the skills that makes one a good project manager?
4. What is your definition of a project?
1. Issues will vary depending on the type of project. Some typical IT project issues are:
  • Scope creep.
  • New technology risks.
  • Inadequate testing.
  • Poor communication.
  • False deadline.
  • Insufficient budget.
2. When given a project always:
  1. Review the budget and deadline.
  2. Define and agree the goals and objectives.
  3. Agree the scope.
  4. Create a plan.
3. Here are four key skills to get you started:
  1. A strong leader.
  2. Calm under pressure.
  3. Good at problem solving.
  4. Able to delegate effectively.
4. Here is a definition I use for project management:
  • Project management is no small task.
  • Has a definite beginning and end and is not a continuous process.
  • Has a specific objective and scope.
  • Uses various tools to measure accomplishments and track project tasks.
  • Needs people on an ad-hoc basis as opposed to dedicated full-time people.
  • Reduces risk and increases the chance of success.
If you search through the articles on this website, you'll find more answers to your questions from many subject matter experts.
brendajac
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue 19 Nov 2013 10:18 pm

Excellent response dhaughey !!!

You are my hero!!!

Great work !!! - Fantastic.
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kwalford
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Joined: Thu 08 Dec 2011 1:34 pm

Hi,

The answer to question 4 is the difference between projects and BAU:

Projects

- Induces changes *** Important point ***
- Temporary organisation
- Uses specialist skills from across the business
- Fixed duration
- Create a specialist (sometimes unique) product

BAU

- Maintains the status quo *** Important point ***
- Permanent organisation
- Specialist skills are often divided in functions
- Indefinite duration
- Create continuous products (repetitive)
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dhaughey
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Posts: 495
Joined: Sat 19 Dec 2009 4:39 pm
Location: London

Useful definition Kit. It will come in handy next time I'm trying to explain the difference between BAU and Projects to a newbie.

Thanks.
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