–noun [proj-ekt] [man-ij-muhnt]

Overview

Project management is a carefully planned and organized effort to accomplish a specific (and usually) one-time objective, for example, construct a building or implement a major new computer system. Project management includes developing a project plan, which includes defining and confirming the project goals and objectives, identifying tasks and how goals will be achieved, quantifying the resources needed, and determining budgets and timelines for completion. It also includes managing the implementation of the project plan, along with operating regular 'controls' to ensure that there is accurate and objective information on 'performance' relative to the plan, and the mechanisms to implement recovery actions where necessary. Projects usually follow major phases or stages (with various titles for these), including feasibility, definition, project planning, implementation, evaluation and support/maintenance.

Real World Experience

Throughout my career I've been fortuante to have been involved with several new business start-ups and as such, those opportunities required a great deal of project planning for several components of the business. More specifically, I assited with the development and introduced new technology using the Project Implementation Process (PIP). Typically Informatics Implementation Projects involve the implementation of a vendor software product, a software release. a system enhancement, or an in-house developed software product. In this case, one or more user departments were involved as well as vendor representatives, Informatics staff, and external consultants.

Prior to starting the Project Implementation Process (PIP), the project must successfully complete the Project Evaluation Process (PEP) and must have approval for implementation. The Project Evaluation Process includes performing a needs analysis, architecture review, and vendor contracting. The project evaluation could result in the definition of one or more projects to be implemented. Several distinct implementation projects rather then one large implementation could limit risk and aid in scope and resource management.