Project management essentials
Module 1: The project
Project management
= 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
result within a predetermined budget within a predetermined time frame”
( gaat niet expliciet vragen)
Possible exam question: If the procedures of an activity are chaotic, wich approach are
you using? = improvised
Examples of what a project is:
- Organizing a major event
- Building a new shopping center, bridge, …
- Relocating a large company to a new location
- Developing and launcing a new product
- Setting up a website
Project features
- Temporary (Clear start and end date)
- Unique and clearly defined goal
- Sponsor who has commissioned the project
- A project has a budget
- Project members with different expertise
- Own organizational set-up
- A project must be initiated
3 specific project features >< ‘process’
1. A project has a finish line
- Completion date / deadline
- Desired outcome / goal
- Finished prototype/product
Delivering a specific outcome, within a certain budget by a set deadline.
2. A project involves something new
- Brings ‘CHANGE’ by creating or doing something new
- Can be challenging!
A Project can transfer into a process!
1
, 3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
- Projects seek to change and/or improve the world.
- Added value and progress
From improvisation to routine
Types of projects
1. Technical projects
- Effect change in technology or come up with a new product
- E.g. construction of a bridge, railway line or computer network
2. Social projects
- Change the corporate culture or organizational structure of a company
- E.g. adapting working procedures, reorganization of a company
- Also known as ‘soft’ projects
3. Commercial projects
- Ultimate goal is to earn money
- E.g. 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
- E.g. the design, programming and installation of an extensive computer
program
- “They do not speak each other’s language”
5. Events
- The end result only appears at a certain point in time
- E.g. computer fair, pop festival, quiz, car show
Project management concepts
‘Waterfall’
2
, - Linear execution
- Everything is mapped out and documented
- Stages need to be completed before moving on
- Very predictable / not flexible
- Best practices + 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
- no guessing square one
- clearly shows progress by
stages
- potential to save time and
money
‘Agile’
- Iterative execution
- No clear objective needed to start
- Great for creative processes
- Defined intervals with specific goals
- Constant re-evaluation
PRO’s CON’s
- No clear objective needed to - Scope creep / expanding
get started scopes
- Works with MVP - Budget increases
- Close interaction with - Sacrifice on quality/scope
clientthroughout - Very short term – no long
- More ability for changes even term plan
in end product - Hard for physical projects
- Good for team spirit and - No agreed-on plan to start
interaction - No clarity on what/when/€€
- Great for creative processes
& IT projects
- Defined intervals with
specific goals
- Re-evaluation
Project management methodologies
This course will focus on waterfall concept
PMI’s PMBOK
- The PMI = Project Management Insitute (US)
- Since 1969 – leading authority on PM
- First version 1987
- Compilation of 100 + different tools and methods to manage a Project
( Kleine feitjes niet weten, alleen dat het (PM) project management is)
3
, PRINCE 2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments
- Developed by UK government
- In 1989 Prince I
- In 1996 revisión => Prince 2
- 7th edition (2023)
( afkorting kennen)
Phasing and products
why phasing?
• Phasing minimizes the risks associated with the project.
• A number of opportunities for decision making are built into the project.
At the end of each phase the sponsor has an opportunity to alter the
project:
• Continue as planned
• Continue with some alterations to the project
• Termination of the project
Termination? Requires a great deal of courage. After all, a lot of time and effort has
already been invested in it.
1. The concept/idea: The concept phase of a project often results in a project
proposal. If the proposal is approved by management (the sponsor), the next
phase may commence
- At this stage, the project exists only as a problem or an idea in the minds of
those who have thought it up (= opportunity).
- A number of activities may be carried out:
a. An investigation into the current state of affairs
b. A rough estimation of the extent of the problem
c. A determination of the aims or the desired results of the project
d. A determination of the feasibility of the project
Project Proposal: ‘Project Brief’ to request a “Go” from management.
2. Definition: Defining the end result of the project and what needs to be done to
achieve it. The result of the definition is a project plan. With complicated
projects, it is common to carry out various subprojects, all with their own project
plan.
- The project has been given a “go”.
- Formal objectives: necessary à need-to-have
4
Module 1: The project
Project management
= 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
result within a predetermined budget within a predetermined time frame”
( gaat niet expliciet vragen)
Possible exam question: If the procedures of an activity are chaotic, wich approach are
you using? = improvised
Examples of what a project is:
- Organizing a major event
- Building a new shopping center, bridge, …
- Relocating a large company to a new location
- Developing and launcing a new product
- Setting up a website
Project features
- Temporary (Clear start and end date)
- Unique and clearly defined goal
- Sponsor who has commissioned the project
- A project has a budget
- Project members with different expertise
- Own organizational set-up
- A project must be initiated
3 specific project features >< ‘process’
1. A project has a finish line
- Completion date / deadline
- Desired outcome / goal
- Finished prototype/product
Delivering a specific outcome, within a certain budget by a set deadline.
2. A project involves something new
- Brings ‘CHANGE’ by creating or doing something new
- Can be challenging!
A Project can transfer into a process!
1
, 3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
- Projects seek to change and/or improve the world.
- Added value and progress
From improvisation to routine
Types of projects
1. Technical projects
- Effect change in technology or come up with a new product
- E.g. construction of a bridge, railway line or computer network
2. Social projects
- Change the corporate culture or organizational structure of a company
- E.g. adapting working procedures, reorganization of a company
- Also known as ‘soft’ projects
3. Commercial projects
- Ultimate goal is to earn money
- E.g. 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
- E.g. the design, programming and installation of an extensive computer
program
- “They do not speak each other’s language”
5. Events
- The end result only appears at a certain point in time
- E.g. computer fair, pop festival, quiz, car show
Project management concepts
‘Waterfall’
2
, - Linear execution
- Everything is mapped out and documented
- Stages need to be completed before moving on
- Very predictable / not flexible
- Best practices + 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
- no guessing square one
- clearly shows progress by
stages
- potential to save time and
money
‘Agile’
- Iterative execution
- No clear objective needed to start
- Great for creative processes
- Defined intervals with specific goals
- Constant re-evaluation
PRO’s CON’s
- No clear objective needed to - Scope creep / expanding
get started scopes
- Works with MVP - Budget increases
- Close interaction with - Sacrifice on quality/scope
clientthroughout - Very short term – no long
- More ability for changes even term plan
in end product - Hard for physical projects
- Good for team spirit and - No agreed-on plan to start
interaction - No clarity on what/when/€€
- Great for creative processes
& IT projects
- Defined intervals with
specific goals
- Re-evaluation
Project management methodologies
This course will focus on waterfall concept
PMI’s PMBOK
- The PMI = Project Management Insitute (US)
- Since 1969 – leading authority on PM
- First version 1987
- Compilation of 100 + different tools and methods to manage a Project
( Kleine feitjes niet weten, alleen dat het (PM) project management is)
3
, PRINCE 2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments
- Developed by UK government
- In 1989 Prince I
- In 1996 revisión => Prince 2
- 7th edition (2023)
( afkorting kennen)
Phasing and products
why phasing?
• Phasing minimizes the risks associated with the project.
• A number of opportunities for decision making are built into the project.
At the end of each phase the sponsor has an opportunity to alter the
project:
• Continue as planned
• Continue with some alterations to the project
• Termination of the project
Termination? Requires a great deal of courage. After all, a lot of time and effort has
already been invested in it.
1. The concept/idea: The concept phase of a project often results in a project
proposal. If the proposal is approved by management (the sponsor), the next
phase may commence
- At this stage, the project exists only as a problem or an idea in the minds of
those who have thought it up (= opportunity).
- A number of activities may be carried out:
a. An investigation into the current state of affairs
b. A rough estimation of the extent of the problem
c. A determination of the aims or the desired results of the project
d. A determination of the feasibility of the project
Project Proposal: ‘Project Brief’ to request a “Go” from management.
2. Definition: Defining the end result of the project and what needs to be done to
achieve it. The result of the definition is a project plan. With complicated
projects, it is common to carry out various subprojects, all with their own project
plan.
- The project has been given a “go”.
- Formal objectives: necessary à need-to-have
4
