Experience has shown that without Project Management, projects usually fail to deliver results to time, to budget or to quality. Project Management is not an optional extra, and implementing a project without an appropriate level of management is analogous to expecting a plane to fly itself.
A project needs to be managed if it is to deliver the results expected of it and project management techniques apply right at the very start of a project. Indeed, the most critical point in any project is the initial phase in which the project is beginning to take shape. Project Management covers the initial period in which a project is defined, organised and first planned as well as the live period in which the project is actively controlled.
Time and effort is needed to initiate a project as well as to manage it once it has started. The work required during the initial phase of a project is often perceived as unnecessary but nothing could be further from the truth. Invariably, the effort spent during the setting – up period will pay for itself many times over. The time and effort involved in setting up a project should be viewed as an investment that will reduce the chance that something will go wrong later in the project. However, the risk of encountering problems cannot be ruled out altogether. Many projects deal with difficult circumstances and it is naive to expect everything to go smoothly all the time.
In summary, Project Management can be compared to flying an aeroplane from A to B. There is a greater likelihood of the plane reaching point B if sufficient planning and control is carried out. (See below Chart)
FLYING A PLANE Vs. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
| Flying the Plane | Project Management Equivalent |
| 1) Fly in a random direction. No agreed destination! | There is no definition of goal or objectives. |
2) A destination is agreed but no one is tasked to fly or navigate. No agreed responsibilities!
| There is an agreed goal however there is no responsibility or organisation for delivering it |
| 3) Agree responsibilities and set off in the approximate direction of the destination: No agreed route! | There is an agreed organisation but no detailed plan to get to the goal.
|
| 4) Set off along the planned route but ignore any of the navigation instruments along the way. No check of progress! | There is an initial plan and organisation however no monitoring or control during the project. |
Define the destination
Agree roles
Secure resources
Follow a planned route
Confirm progress and change the route to suit the situation. | An initial plan which is monitored, controlled and updated as circumstances dictate:
PROJECT MANAGEMENT! |
Remember Failing to Plan is Planning to FAIL!
