Many projects are cancelled before they are completed. Many are completed late and cost well over their original estimates. And, of the rare few which are completed, on-time and within budget, many do not meet the needs of the project stakeholders.In addition, many organizations do not have procedures and guidelines to support project management efforts. Often organizational culture does not encourage open discussion of problems or possible solutions to those problems.
Sound project management is the key to resolving these difficulties. Unfortunately, general managers are often asked to perform project management and while the two disciplines are similar, project management requires special knowledge and skills. Knowledge and skills which are best obtained by experience. (Using MS Project or another project management application will not suddenly turn general managers into project managers!)
This series is intended to give you background information about the various processes associated with project management and to give you a start in understanding the nature of project management in general. It is not intended to be a substitute for experience.Please note that this series discusses project management in broad terms and does not focus on special needs projects such as those involving software or product development.