PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Management



Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Project Management” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Project Management” and its relation with “21st Century Challenges”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Project Management” and tries to gauge its effect on “21st Century Challenges”. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for “Project Management” and tries to describe the overall effect of “Project Management” on “21st Century Challenges” Excellent publications have been available on project management for many years and much discussion has taken place extolling the virtues of this aspect of management and its great influence on the overall successful operation of organizations in all sectors. When being considered in its generic form, project management can also be applied to any set of activities, and in this context it is no less than a universal management tool. This paper examines the feasibility and practicality of applying a quality management approach to project management. The model used for the analysis is the criteria of the Canada Awards for Excellence, the internationally recognized quality award program.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction4

Background4

1.1Aims and Objectives9

Chapter Two: Literature Review18

Factors Responsible for the Success and Failure of a Project18

Attribution theory18

Project Planning25

Scope Planning26

Timeline Planning32

Budget Planning35

Cost calculation36

Project Scope Management51

Project Time Management53

Project Cost Management55

Project Quality Management56

Project Human Resource Management57

Project Communication Management58

Project Procurement Management59

Project Risk Management61

Risk avoidance: where a deem risk is a high probability and high consequence62

Quality's view of project management63

Project's view of quality management67

Illustration69

An integrated view71

Chapter Three: Methodology115

Primary or secondary / Qualitative or Quantitative115

Definition of (Qualitative/Quantitative) Research115

Quantitative Research115

Qualitative Research116

Research Method117

Literature Selection Criteria118

Search Technique118

Chapter Four: Discussion119

Managerial implications121

Chapter Five: Conclusion159

References163

Bibliography172

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background

Human beings have been executing projects from ancient times (Kwak, 2003) .Since the beginning of life, mankind has been known for having the curious mind and the need to expand and build. It is the same mind that enabled mankind to rocket to the moon and discover the universe. It is the same mind that enabled mankind to design and build iconic structures, and the high skyscrapers.

Today in the 21st century, projects of different purposes, complexity and sizes are being constructed. ((BS6079)) The British Standards Institute defines a project as “a unique set of coordinated activities with definite starting and finishing points, undertaken by an individual or organisation to meet specific objectives with defined schedule, cost and performance parameters.” The achievement of these projects can be attributed to the successful frame work of Project Management along with the co-ordination and integration of Programme Management.

Project management has been used in the past and has been successful in achieving specific project objectives. However, the concept has expanded to address political, organisational, managerial as well as technical situations.

With today's advancing technology, the questions that arise into one's mind are:

Is Project Management future proof?

What are the Project Management grand challenges for the 21st century?

Can Project Management overcome those challenges?

There exists the necessity today to modernise the methods of Project Management in order to reflect on both the wide ...