Project Management

Professional, knowledgeable, effective project management is critical to successful completion of projects that will improve your productivity, quality and safety. In my next five articles I'll provide an overview of the five phases of a project. Throughout April I'll take a more detailed look at various aspects of project management.

The following is a brief summary of the five phases of a project:

Initiation - develop the project concept (vision) and benefits; establish the objectives (goals) and the scope of the project; identify the end users; perform a risk analysis; identify a project sponsor; and start to assemble a team.

Planning - break the project into specific tasks and activities; refine the scope of the project; refine the project team; identify resource requirements; identify standards to be used; detail unusual features; specify quality assurance procedures; establish acceptance procedures; and develop an overall schedule (including milestones and deadlines) and budget.

Executing - accomplish the goals of the project.

Controlling - solve problems and take remedial actions; monitor and control changes; monitor schedule and budget and make appropriate adjustments to the schedule, budget, project or expectations.

Closing - deliver completed project and assess its success.