1. the PROJECT
A project can be defined as a group of people, usually from various fields of expertise, collaborating
temporarily with the aim of reaching a predetermined project results within a predetermined budget
within a predetermined time frame.
Results, budget, time -> very important as a project manager
VUCA
Volatility (= wispelturig)
= The environment demands you react quickly to ongoing changes that ate unpredictable
and out of your control.
->energy prices fluctuate dramatically from month to month due to geopolitical tensions and
market disruptions
Uncertainty
= The environment requires you to take action without certainty
-> companies are unsure about future regulations surrounding AI, making strategic planning
difficult
Complexity
= The environment is dynamic, with many interdependencies
-> global supply chains involve dozens of suppliers, each with their own risks and regulations
Ambiguity (= onduidelijk)
= The environment is unfamiliar, outside of your expertise
-> the impact of hybrid work on productivity is hard to measure and varies widely across industries
and teams
If the procedures of an activity are chaotic, which approach are you using? -> improvised
There are different projects:
- Organizing a major event
- Building a new shopping centre, bridge, factory, …
- Developing and launching a new product
- Merging two businesses
- Setting up a website
- Introducing a new electronic learning environment
- Relocating a large company to a new location
Project management essentials 1
,Project features
• Temporary (clear start and end date)
• Unique and clearly defined goal
• A project has a budget
• Project members with different expertise
• …
What separates a project form a process?
1. A project has a finish line
-> delivering a specific outcome/ goal, within a certain budget by a set deadline.
2. A project involves something new
-> a project can transfer into a process
3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
-> projects seek to change and/ or improve the world
-> “Short term pain for long term results”
When do we need a ‘project’?
➔ Does your project have more than 10 tasks?
➔ Does your project involve more than 2 people?
➔ Does your project need more than 3 weeks to complete?
Advantages of a project-based approach Disadvantages of a project-based approach
• Project is not part of your everyday work • Setting up and organizing a project costs
(temporary new job) time
• Sponsor makes most important decisions • Tasks and responsibilities in own
• Clear project plan department must be filled
• Balanced team • Inexperienced members must be trained
• Smaller risk of failure first
Project management essentials 2
,From improvisation to routine
Types of projects
1) Technical projects
➢ Effect changes in technology or come up with a new product
Construction of a bridge, railway line or computer network
2) Social projects
➢ Change the corporate culture or organizational structure of a company
➢ Also known as ‘soft’ projects
➢ The most difficult projects
Adapting working procedures, reorganization of a company
3) Commercial projects
➢ Ultimate goal is to earn money
Conducting market research or introducing a new product on the market
4) Mixed projects
➢ Combine some of the aspects of both technical and social projects
➢ “They do not speak each other’s language’
The design, programming and installation of an extensive computer program
5) Events
➢ The end result only appears at a certain point in time
Computer fair, pop festival, quiz, car show
Project management essentials 3
, Project management concepts
• ‘WATERFALL’
- Linear execution
- Everything is mapped out and documented
- Stages need to be completed before moving on
- Very predictable/ not flexible
- Best practises + full scope of requirements
PRO’s CON’s
• Easy to manage • Very document heavy
• Phase based • No testing possible
• Very detailed on planning • If errors happen - back to square one
• No guessing
• Clearly shows progress by stages
• Potential to save time and money
-> in this course we will focus on the WATERFALL concept
• ‘AGILE’
- Iterative execution
- No clear objective needed to start
- Great for creative process
- Defined intervals with specific goals
- Constant re-evaluation
PRO’s CON’s
• No clear objective needed to get • Scope creep/ expanding scopes
started • Budget increases
• Works with MVP • Sacrifice on quality/ scope
• Close interaction with client • Very short term – no long term plan
throughout • Hard for physical projects
• More ability for changes even in end • No agreed-on plan to start
product • No clarity on what/when/€€
• Good for team spirit and interaction
• Great for creative process & IT
projects
• Defined intervals with specific goals
• Re-evaluation
Project management essentials 4
A project can be defined as a group of people, usually from various fields of expertise, collaborating
temporarily with the aim of reaching a predetermined project results within a predetermined budget
within a predetermined time frame.
Results, budget, time -> very important as a project manager
VUCA
Volatility (= wispelturig)
= The environment demands you react quickly to ongoing changes that ate unpredictable
and out of your control.
->energy prices fluctuate dramatically from month to month due to geopolitical tensions and
market disruptions
Uncertainty
= The environment requires you to take action without certainty
-> companies are unsure about future regulations surrounding AI, making strategic planning
difficult
Complexity
= The environment is dynamic, with many interdependencies
-> global supply chains involve dozens of suppliers, each with their own risks and regulations
Ambiguity (= onduidelijk)
= The environment is unfamiliar, outside of your expertise
-> the impact of hybrid work on productivity is hard to measure and varies widely across industries
and teams
If the procedures of an activity are chaotic, which approach are you using? -> improvised
There are different projects:
- Organizing a major event
- Building a new shopping centre, bridge, factory, …
- Developing and launching a new product
- Merging two businesses
- Setting up a website
- Introducing a new electronic learning environment
- Relocating a large company to a new location
Project management essentials 1
,Project features
• Temporary (clear start and end date)
• Unique and clearly defined goal
• A project has a budget
• Project members with different expertise
• …
What separates a project form a process?
1. A project has a finish line
-> delivering a specific outcome/ goal, within a certain budget by a set deadline.
2. A project involves something new
-> a project can transfer into a process
3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
-> projects seek to change and/ or improve the world
-> “Short term pain for long term results”
When do we need a ‘project’?
➔ Does your project have more than 10 tasks?
➔ Does your project involve more than 2 people?
➔ Does your project need more than 3 weeks to complete?
Advantages of a project-based approach Disadvantages of a project-based approach
• Project is not part of your everyday work • Setting up and organizing a project costs
(temporary new job) time
• Sponsor makes most important decisions • Tasks and responsibilities in own
• Clear project plan department must be filled
• Balanced team • Inexperienced members must be trained
• Smaller risk of failure first
Project management essentials 2
,From improvisation to routine
Types of projects
1) Technical projects
➢ Effect changes in technology or come up with a new product
Construction of a bridge, railway line or computer network
2) Social projects
➢ Change the corporate culture or organizational structure of a company
➢ Also known as ‘soft’ projects
➢ The most difficult projects
Adapting working procedures, reorganization of a company
3) Commercial projects
➢ Ultimate goal is to earn money
Conducting market research or introducing a new product on the market
4) Mixed projects
➢ Combine some of the aspects of both technical and social projects
➢ “They do not speak each other’s language’
The design, programming and installation of an extensive computer program
5) Events
➢ The end result only appears at a certain point in time
Computer fair, pop festival, quiz, car show
Project management essentials 3
, Project management concepts
• ‘WATERFALL’
- Linear execution
- Everything is mapped out and documented
- Stages need to be completed before moving on
- Very predictable/ not flexible
- Best practises + full scope of requirements
PRO’s CON’s
• Easy to manage • Very document heavy
• Phase based • No testing possible
• Very detailed on planning • If errors happen - back to square one
• No guessing
• Clearly shows progress by stages
• Potential to save time and money
-> in this course we will focus on the WATERFALL concept
• ‘AGILE’
- Iterative execution
- No clear objective needed to start
- Great for creative process
- Defined intervals with specific goals
- Constant re-evaluation
PRO’s CON’s
• No clear objective needed to get • Scope creep/ expanding scopes
started • Budget increases
• Works with MVP • Sacrifice on quality/ scope
• Close interaction with client • Very short term – no long term plan
throughout • Hard for physical projects
• More ability for changes even in end • No agreed-on plan to start
product • No clarity on what/when/€€
• Good for team spirit and interaction
• Great for creative process & IT
projects
• Defined intervals with specific goals
• Re-evaluation
Project management essentials 4
