Projectmanagement Essentials
“We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”
Module 1. The project
You set up a plan, but every project is different.
Project management is 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. (niet kennen)
Result – Budget – Time -> driehoek
The project triangle consists of time, budget (cost) and result (also
referred as quality). These tree elements are interdependent. A change in
one element will affect at least one of the two others. As an event
manager it is essential to balance these elements in order to achieve the
desired project outcome.
Types of activities
Improvised Project-based
Routine
When? Ad hoc (suddenly) Predictable
Repetitive
Result? Uncertain Reasonably certain certain
Familarity? New, sudden New, planned Well-known
Freedom? A lot of freedom A suitable amount Little
freedom
Procedures? Chaotic Increasingly clear
Clear
VUCA
Volatile = wispelturig
The environment demands you react quickly to ongoing changes that are
unpredictable and out of your control
Example: Energy prices fluctuate dramatically from month to month due
to geopolitical tensions and market disruptions.
Uncertain
The environment requires you to take action without certainty
Example: Companies are unsure about future regulations surrounding AI,
making strategic planning difficult.
Complex
The environment is dynamic, with many interdependencies
,Example: Global supply chains involve dozens of suppliers, each with their
own risks and regulations.
Ambiguous = onduidelijk
The environment is unfamiliar, outside of your expertise
Example: The impact of hybrid work on productivity is hard to measure
and varies widely across industries and teams.
Voorbeeld VUCA: During the production of a corporate conference, a
keynote speaker cancels at the last minute (Volatility). It is unclear
whether a replacement speaker will have the same impact on the
audience (Uncertainty). The program change affects the technical setup,
timing, communication and stakeholder expectations (Complexity). The
situation is unfamiliar and outside the team’s existing expertise, making it
difficult to assess the impact of the change and determine the most
appropriate response (Ambiguity).
Positive action in project management
Focus on activities that will bring you closer to your goals Vision
Work with up-to-date data coming from all stakeholders
Understanding
Simplify communication to make sure messages are understood clearly
Clarity
Provide flexibility to adjust to changes more quickly
Agility
Voorbeeld VUCA Prime: During the production of a corporate conference,
the project team maintains a clear focus on the main objectives of the
event despite the last-minute cancellation of a keynote speaker (Vision).
The team gathers up-to-date information from all stakeholders to better
understand the impact of the change and the available alternatives
(Understanding). Communication is simplified to clearly explain what
changes and what remains the same for all involved parties (Clarity). By
remaining flexible and open to alternative solutions, the team is able to
adjust quickly and respond effectively to the unfamiliar situation (Agility).
Possible exam question: if the procedures of an activity are chaotic, which
approach are you using?
A: Standard
B: Improvised
C: Project based
D: Routine
What is a project
- Organizing a major event (exhibition, sports event or music festival)
- Building a new shopping center, bridge, housing, estate
, - Relocating a large company to a new location
- Implementing new software at a company
- Merging two businesses
- Creating a new corporate identity for a company
Project features (niet kunnen opsommen!)
- 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
- Creating something
3 specific project features >< ‘process’
What separates a project from a 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
- Bring ‘CHANGE’ by creating or doing something new
- Can be challenging!
A project can transfer into a process!
A project can transfer into a process when the outcome of the project
becomes part of regular, repetitive operations. The project creates
something new, while the process ensures its continued use and benefits
over time.
3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
- Projects seek to change and/or improve the world
- Added value and progress
, ‘Short term pain for long term results’
When do we need a ‘project’
Project management test -> not cast in stone!
From improvisation to routine
EXAMEN VRAAG:
A vacation can be approached in a routine, improvised or project-based
manner.
Give an example of each:
Vacation: Routine = going to the same place, same time, same
destination
Vacation: Improvised = last-minute, just get a ticket and see where you
go
Vacation: Project based = plan everything advanced
Types of projects
1. Technical projects
a. Effect change in technology of come up with a new product
b. E.g. construction of a bridge, railway line of computer network
2. Social projects
a. Change the corporate culture of organizational structure of a
company
b. E.g. adapting working procedures, reorganization of a
company
c. Also known as ‘soft’ projects -> Most difficult projects
3. Commercial projects
a. Ultimate goal is to earn money
b. E.g. conducting market research of introducing a new project
on the market
4. Mixed projects
a. E.g. the design, programming and installation of an extensive
computer program
“We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”
Module 1. The project
You set up a plan, but every project is different.
Project management is 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. (niet kennen)
Result – Budget – Time -> driehoek
The project triangle consists of time, budget (cost) and result (also
referred as quality). These tree elements are interdependent. A change in
one element will affect at least one of the two others. As an event
manager it is essential to balance these elements in order to achieve the
desired project outcome.
Types of activities
Improvised Project-based
Routine
When? Ad hoc (suddenly) Predictable
Repetitive
Result? Uncertain Reasonably certain certain
Familarity? New, sudden New, planned Well-known
Freedom? A lot of freedom A suitable amount Little
freedom
Procedures? Chaotic Increasingly clear
Clear
VUCA
Volatile = wispelturig
The environment demands you react quickly to ongoing changes that are
unpredictable and out of your control
Example: Energy prices fluctuate dramatically from month to month due
to geopolitical tensions and market disruptions.
Uncertain
The environment requires you to take action without certainty
Example: Companies are unsure about future regulations surrounding AI,
making strategic planning difficult.
Complex
The environment is dynamic, with many interdependencies
,Example: Global supply chains involve dozens of suppliers, each with their
own risks and regulations.
Ambiguous = onduidelijk
The environment is unfamiliar, outside of your expertise
Example: The impact of hybrid work on productivity is hard to measure
and varies widely across industries and teams.
Voorbeeld VUCA: During the production of a corporate conference, a
keynote speaker cancels at the last minute (Volatility). It is unclear
whether a replacement speaker will have the same impact on the
audience (Uncertainty). The program change affects the technical setup,
timing, communication and stakeholder expectations (Complexity). The
situation is unfamiliar and outside the team’s existing expertise, making it
difficult to assess the impact of the change and determine the most
appropriate response (Ambiguity).
Positive action in project management
Focus on activities that will bring you closer to your goals Vision
Work with up-to-date data coming from all stakeholders
Understanding
Simplify communication to make sure messages are understood clearly
Clarity
Provide flexibility to adjust to changes more quickly
Agility
Voorbeeld VUCA Prime: During the production of a corporate conference,
the project team maintains a clear focus on the main objectives of the
event despite the last-minute cancellation of a keynote speaker (Vision).
The team gathers up-to-date information from all stakeholders to better
understand the impact of the change and the available alternatives
(Understanding). Communication is simplified to clearly explain what
changes and what remains the same for all involved parties (Clarity). By
remaining flexible and open to alternative solutions, the team is able to
adjust quickly and respond effectively to the unfamiliar situation (Agility).
Possible exam question: if the procedures of an activity are chaotic, which
approach are you using?
A: Standard
B: Improvised
C: Project based
D: Routine
What is a project
- Organizing a major event (exhibition, sports event or music festival)
- Building a new shopping center, bridge, housing, estate
, - Relocating a large company to a new location
- Implementing new software at a company
- Merging two businesses
- Creating a new corporate identity for a company
Project features (niet kunnen opsommen!)
- 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
- Creating something
3 specific project features >< ‘process’
What separates a project from a 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
- Bring ‘CHANGE’ by creating or doing something new
- Can be challenging!
A project can transfer into a process!
A project can transfer into a process when the outcome of the project
becomes part of regular, repetitive operations. The project creates
something new, while the process ensures its continued use and benefits
over time.
3. A project delivers a benefit, but not straight away
- Projects seek to change and/or improve the world
- Added value and progress
, ‘Short term pain for long term results’
When do we need a ‘project’
Project management test -> not cast in stone!
From improvisation to routine
EXAMEN VRAAG:
A vacation can be approached in a routine, improvised or project-based
manner.
Give an example of each:
Vacation: Routine = going to the same place, same time, same
destination
Vacation: Improvised = last-minute, just get a ticket and see where you
go
Vacation: Project based = plan everything advanced
Types of projects
1. Technical projects
a. Effect change in technology of come up with a new product
b. E.g. construction of a bridge, railway line of computer network
2. Social projects
a. Change the corporate culture of organizational structure of a
company
b. E.g. adapting working procedures, reorganization of a
company
c. Also known as ‘soft’ projects -> Most difficult projects
3. Commercial projects
a. Ultimate goal is to earn money
b. E.g. conducting market research of introducing a new project
on the market
4. Mixed projects
a. E.g. the design, programming and installation of an extensive
computer program
