SlideShare ist ein Scribd-Unternehmen logo
1 von 23
Downloaden Sie, um offline zu lesen
Simple Project Management
for Small Business
Six Easy Steps to Success
NOTICE
  You MAY Give Away This Report Freely To Anyone You Choose, However It Must
                     Remain Intact In Its Published Form

                                      You MAY Also:

                       Tweet About It - Click here to Tweet Now!

                    Share It On LinkedIn - Click here to Share Now!

                Talk About It On Facebook - Click here to Share Now!

             Tell People About It On Google+ - Click here to Share Now!




                                               ©2012 GetApp

   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


GetApp would like to thank the following people for their contributions to this book.

 ■■ Eleanor Mayrhofer – e.m.papers

 ■■ Elizabeth Harrin – A Girl’s Guide to Project Management

 ■■ Josh Nankivel – pmStudent

 ■■ Lyndsay Scott – Arras People

 ■■ Peter Taylor – The Lazy Project Manager
Table of Contents
Introduction                                                        1

What is Project Management?                                         3

Why Is Project Management Useful For Small Businesses?              5

6 Easy Steps To Start Managing Projects In Your Small Business      7

Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Project                         10

5 Steps To Find Software That Can Help You Manage Your Projects   12

Resources To Help You With Project Management                      14

  Courses/Certifications                                           14

  Infographics                                                     14

  Blogs and Articles                                               15

  Project Management Software Reviews                              16

  Connect With Project Managers On Twitter                         16

  Other Project Management Resources                               17

Common Project Management Terms                                    18

Share this ebook!                                                  20
Introduction
Much of the time when people hear the term “project management,” it conjures up a
visual of huge projects that take hundreds of people, lots of money, and a good bit of
time to complete.

But the reality is, many projects are much smaller than those we imagine. Most small
business owners juggle numerous projects at any given time. You may not think of
the things that you do as projects, but consider this list for a moment.

 ■■ Remodel your website

 ■■ Develop a new marketing campaign

 ■■ Create a new product offering

 ■■ Hire an employee

 ■■ Coordinate a joint venture

 ■■ Plan a newsletter

 ■■ Deliver client services

Any of those sound familiar to you? These are just a few of the projects you might
be involved in at any given point in time. And, most likely, you’re juggling multiple
projects at the same time.

That means you have to coordinate resources and manage deliverables for multiple



                                                                                        1
items all at once. And the problem with that is things can fall through the cracks. How
would you answer the following questions?

 ■■ Do your projects get done on time?

 ■■ Do your projects make money?

 ■■ Do you track work as it gets done?

 ■■ Do you monitor how much money and time is being spent during a project?

 ■■ Has a customer ever said, “This isn’t what I wanted.”

If you answered no to any of the first four questions or yes to the last one, it’s time for
you to take a serious look at how project management can help your small business.




                                                                                        2
What is Project Management?
It’s likely you’ve encountered problems in your business that were tough to solve.
Project management is an organized process that can help you solve those problems
with the least amount of hassle. It sounds complicated, but it’s not. Have you had any
of these problems in your business?

 ■■ Miscommunication between team members

 ■■ Client product delivery that had to be reworked when you thought it was
    complete

 ■■ Overruns on client projects

 ■■ Missed delivery dates on client projects

 ■■ A recurring internal problem that just won’t go away

You’re not alone. Many small businesses struggle with these very same issues. And
most small businesses can’t afford to waste time and effort spinning their wheels to
accomplish work. It can be the catalyst that puts you out of business. Using a project
management approach in your business can minimize confusion, rework, errors and
best of all, it can help you delight your customers.

So what’s the “official” definition of project management?

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), which is known as the authority
for project management knowledge and processes, the short definition of a project is
“a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.”



                                                                                    3
And here’s the long version:

“Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques
to execute projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for
organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals — and thus,
better compete in their markets.”

If you ask ten people the definition of project management, you’re likely to get ten
different answers. We tapped a few of the most influential project management
professionals on the internet for their definition:



                                 “Getting something new
                                 and exciting done with
                                   a group of people!”
                                        Peter Taylor




                             What is                           “Project management
    “Leading teams to
  create something new!”     Project                             for me is all about
                                                                management first.”
       Josh Nankivel
                           Management?                              Lindsay Scott




                                 “Project management
                                 is the art and science
                                of getting things done.”
                                     Elizabeth Harrin




                                                                                       4
Why Is Project Management Useful For
Small Businesses?
Small businesses don’t have the luxury of abundant resources to accomplish each
task. It’s likely that every employee in your business wears several hats at a time.

That’s why project management is so useful for small business. It will help you make
the most of your resources (even if the only resource is you), manage your budget,
and deliver quality solutions to your customer. It can even help you make your
internal business processes work better so it takes less time and effort to get things
done. In short, project management can help you turn chaos into order.

Here are four reasons why project management is so valuable to small business:

  1.	 Makes big goals achievable – With a project management approach to your
      goals, you can seize opportunities, solve problems and realize the success you
      seek.

  2.	 Reveals gaps and pitfalls – All projects are not meant to become reality. If
      you’re like most small business owners, you have more ideas than you could
      complete in a lifetime. Using a project management approach can help you see
      the gaps in your thinking and provide the “cons” of completing a project before
      you’ve invested a lot of time, resources, and money in the project.

  3.	 Breaks down the overwhelm – Do you dream big and then get exhausted
      thinking of all the things that have to be done to realize that dream? Project
      management helps you “chunk up” the work into bite sized pieces so you can
      make progress and avoid getting so overwhelmed that you get nothing done.



                                                                                       5
Nothing can motivate more than small rewards along the way to achieving a big
     goal.

  4.	 Gets the work out of your head – Writing down what needs to be done to
      accomplish your goals will help you get done faster without a lot of rework.
      Having to remember everything that needs to be accomplished just clutters up
      your brain and creates a prescription for disaster.

One of the main advantages of being a small business is using innovation and
creativity so you can get products and services to market quicker. It gives you a
competitive advantage.

Project management expert Lindsay Scott says, “Project management in small
businesses not only allows them to remain competitive through change and
innovation but it also allows an organization to manage these changes in a structured
way, increasing the likelihood that any project would be delivered successfully.”

And that’s the objective – to deliver projects successfully – so you can sustain your
business.

But you don’t have to go “full out” with the PMI structured Project Management
Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) on managing your projects. Scott adds, “Adopting
even a ‘light touch’ project management framework can enable an organization to
effectively choose which projects to run; when to run them and by whom. With project
management comes control and with control comes the ability for management to
keep a tight rein on developments that affect the future of the business.”




                                                                                        6
6 Easy Steps To Start Managing Projects
In Your Small Business
Way too many small business owners use a “Fire, Ready, Aim” approach to
accomplishing projects. In the short run, this method may seem faster than planning
your efforts, but this approach is fraught with danger and can cost your business lost
time, money, effort and worst of all, dissatisfied customers.

It’s been proven time and again that planning ahead can save time, money, and effort
when it comes to projects. The basic premise is that an issue found in the planning
stage will cost a lot less than an issue uncovered later in the lifecycle of your project.

This is known as the 1:10:100 rule. Here’s the breakdown.

 ■■ It’s least expensive to plan well and resolve all problems in the concept and
     planning stages of your project.

 ■■ If an issue is not resolved in the planning stage, it will cost 10 times more in the
     development stage

 ■■ Lastly, it will cost 100 times more if the issue is uncovered after the project has
    been delivered.

There’s a lot of value in thinking through and planning your projects before beginning.
It’s not rocket science by any stretch of the imagination. You simply need to clearly
define the “Why, What, How, Who, and When” of getting things done before you
actually begin the work.




                                                                                       7
Small business owner Eleanor Mayrhofer – a corporate refugee like many of today’s
small business owners – developed a methodology for completing projects when
she was launching and growing her business e.m.papers. She calls it “Steal This
Process” and it’s specifically focused on helping small business owners use a project
management approach to getting things done.

Her method describes essential steps to take into account every time you are
thinking of starting a project to avoid complications and wasted effort. It’s structured
around six simple steps that are important to successful projects: Defining Goals,
Developing Scope, Estimating, Planning, Executing and Reviewing.




1 - Goals

The first step is to define the “Why” of your project. Think about and write down what
you want to achieve at the conclusion of this project. This is the basic foundation of
your project and what will guide you along the way.

2 - Scope

With your goals in mind it’s time to think about the “What.” At this point you should
think about the deliverables of the project. What has to be done in order to achieve
the proposed goals above? Define each of the tasks so it is clear what needs to be
done.



                                                                                        8
3 - Estimation

At this step you should define an estimate of how long each of the defined tasks will
take to be completed.

4 - Planning

You already know what has to be done and how long each of the tasks will take,
now you will use that information to identify how long it will take depending on the
resources you have available. Put it on a timeline so you will have a visual of the total
time it will take to achieve your goals and complete your project.

5 - Executing

It’s time to get things done. Check your plan daily and follow the tasks you have
identified. Problems can appear, so update your plan as you go to keep everything
on track. Most important in the execution phase is not straying from your plan.

6 - Reviewing

Reviewing the project is part of the process to ensure you stay on track. You’ll want
to do this periodically as you progress through your project and at the end when the
project is complete. Reviewing will help you understand what worked, what didn’t
work, and will provide you with valuable insight for the next project.




                                                                                      9
Things That Can Go Wrong With Your
Project
In a perfect world, your projects will go from start to finish without any changes or
problems. But we don’t live in a perfect world and the reality is, you will encounter
problems along the way and be required to make adjustments on the fly to ensure a
successful end to your project.

There are any number of things that can go wrong, so we tapped Peter Taylor, The
Lazy PM, to find out some of the more common problems you could encounter in
your project.

 ■■ I couldn’t deliver the project in the estimated time. What happened?

To answer the “what happened,” don’t be afraid to run a simple lessons learned
process to identify the cause of any variances to estimates. Were you too optimistic
about what you could achieve? Were the tasks not specified to the right level? All
tasks should be broken down to short work packages to allow good tracking of your
progress.

 ■■ Some tasks can’t be done in the assigned time and it’s delaying the
    project.

First, recognize this as an issue for any future projects – you’ll want to learn why
this is the case and how you can avoid repeating the problem in the future. Second,
take the time to review all of the outstanding tasks and, based on the actual time
to complete earlier tasks, re-baseline the project to determine a realistic project
completion date.



                                                                                   10
■■ I can’t handle managing so many projects.

A sure sign of this is when you spend 100% of your time “report producing” rather
than actually managing projects. Too many projects means that you have to prioritize
– assess of risk impact of all of your projects failing to deliver so you can give each
project the right level of attention.

 ■■ The tool I wanted is too expensive for what I really need.

Do you really understand what it is that you do need? It is often best to use standard
office and other tools when you start managing projects so you really learn what it is
that you ‘need’ to manage the project. And then, after a period of time, you can better
articulate what it is that is essential to your requirements and what software will help
you with your project management tasks.




                                                                                     11
5 Steps To Find Software That Can Help
You Manage Your Projects
When you start out using a project management approach to getting things done in
your small business, you’ll most likely use the tools at hand – MS Office tools like
Word and Excel, Google Docs or just plain paper and sticky notes. Those will work
fine for you, but you may find as you become more adept at project management that
you want a software tool to help you become even more productive.

It’s important to find the right tool to help you achieve those goals, so here’s a five
step process that can narrow it down for you.

1. Identify your needs

Detail the requirements you are looking for in a PM tool. Identify which methodology
you will use to get projects done and the components that would be most helpful in
achieving your goals. Brainstorm a list of those items that are most important to you.
Some of the more common requirements are a strong collaboration system, multiple
team member access, simple task management, and mobile integration.

2. Get a comprehensive list of applications

The best place to find a comprehensive list of project management applications is
at GetApp. Take a look at the list here - Project Management Software Options -
read what other users have to say by checking reviews and do comparisons of the
software tools. Dig deep into software reviews on our blog to discover more details
about each tool.




                                                                                          12
3. Create a short list

After reviewing the multitude of options available, it’s time to create a short list of
applications to narrow down your options. Compare the offered features with your
business needs from Step 1, and check what prices match your budget. Choose two
or three applications for this short list.

4. Use the trial period

Most cloud business apps offer a free trial period. Use this time to test the
applications you’ve put on your short list by testing out a current project or two.
Compare the features and ease of use for your team. Identify which of the
applications best fits the needs of your business.

5. Go for it!

Once you’ve identified the best application for your business, sign up for your
preferred plan, create your team’s credentials, and start using it.




                                                                                      13
Resources To Help You With Project
Management

Courses/Certifications

 ■■ Project Management Institute (PMI)
    http://www.pmi.org/

 ■■ Arras People
    http://www.arraspeople.co.uk/project-management-directory/project-
    management-training-directory/


Infographics

 ■■ 25 Top Online Project Management Software
    http://www.getapp.com/infographics/top-online-project-management-software

 ■■ How to Become a Project Manager
    http://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/2011/8/1/how-to-become-a-project-manager-
    infographic.html

 ■■ Causes of Conflict in Project Management
    http://www.pm4girls.elizabeth-harrin.com/2012/03/infographic-conflict-in-project-
    management/




                                                                                  14
Blogs and Articles

 ■■ Top 10 Project Management Influencers to Follow on the Web
    http://www.getapp.com/blog/project-management-influencers/

 ■■ What is Online Project Management for Small Business?
    http://www.getapp.com/blog/project-management-small-business/

 ■■ How Do I Encourage Innovation in My Projects?
    http://www.pmhut.com/how-do-i-encourage-innovation-on-my-projects

 ■■ Four Key Drivers for Team Engagement
    http://www.pm4girls.elizabeth-harrin.com/2012/03/four-key-drivers-for-team-
    engagement/

 ■■ The Projects Story Circle. Talking About Transitions
    http://www.projectshrink.com/the-project-story-circle-talking-about-
    transitions-6004.html

 ■■ The Human Factor in Project Management
    http://www.blog.pmbookclub.com/2012/01/human-factor-in-project-
    management.html

 ■■ PM Book Club
    http://www.pmbookclub.com/

 ■■ Agile is a Must for Dev-Shops!
    http://www.planbox.com/blog/agile-project-management/agile-is-a-must-for-dev-
    shops.html

 ■■ 5 Steps for Managing a Remote Project Team
    http://www.mavenlink.com/community/blogs/383-5-steps-for-managing-a-
    remote-project-team




                                                                                  15
■■ Project Management’s Holy Grail
    http://blogs.attask.com/blog/strategic-project-management/project-
    managements-holy-grail

 ■■ How to Build a Project Plan
    https://www.clarizen.com/community/blogs/how-to-build-a-project-plan.
    html?pid=5008

 ■■ Save Your Sanity! Maybe It’s Time For A Project Management Tool
    http://www.getapp.com/blog/small-business-project-management-tool/

 ■■ I’m Ready to Outsource, Now What?
     http://www.getapp.com/blog/ready-to-outsource/


Project Management Software Reviews

 ■■ Comprehensive List of Project Management Cloud Applications
    http://www.getapp.com/project-management-software

 ■■ List of Project Management Software Reviews
    http://www.getapp.com/blog/tag/project-management


Connect With Project Managers On Twitter

 ■■ Follow the hashtags #pmot (Project Managers on Twitter) and #pmchat (Project
    managers chat)




                                                                              16
Other Project Management Resources

■■ Steal This Process
   http://stealthisprocess.com/

■■ Free Project Plan Template (MS Word)
   http://goo.gl/pYbbi

■■ Free Project Gantt Chart (MS Excel)
   http://goo.gl/dUaZU

■■ Free Simple Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt Chart (Google Doc)
   http://goo.gl/kYnvk




                                                                       17
Common Project Management Terms
Agile

Agile is a set of methods for software development. It is based on iterations and
individuals over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive
documentation, customer collaboration over contracts and responding to change
over following a plan.

Charter

A Project Charter is a short document containing the scope of the project, its
objectives and the participants. This preliminary document should identify the
stakeholders, define the project manager authority and delineate roles and
responsibilities.

Critical path

Refers to an algorithm that identifies linked tasks, which indicates if one of them fails
the whole project plan is affected.

Gantt Chart

This chart visually represents the tasks of a project with their duration on a timeline.
This visualization model can also display dependencies between the tasks.

Lean

The main principle of Lean is to be more effective and productive, which means
deliver an end product with more value and less waste of time or resources.




                                                                                       18
Life Cycle

The start to end process of a project. A traditional Project’s Life Cycle consists in four
different phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution and Closure.

Milestone

Milestones represent the completion of key deliverables or important decisions
during the execution phase of a project and are used frequently to monitor its
progress.

Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

One of the main books on project management practices. It describes guidelines and
defines global standards managing projects.

PMP

This acronym stands for Project Management Professional. It is the main certification
for a project manager, offered by the PMI.

Prince2

This is a standard in Project Management based processes. It is extensively used by
the UK Government and recognized internationally by the private sector.

Project Plan

A formal document used to guide both project execution and project control.
The primary uses of the project plan are to document planning assumptions and
decisions, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and document approved
scope, cost, and schedule baselines. A project plan may be summarized or detailed.




                                                                                       19
Scope

The scope of a Project is the breakdown of all the work that has to be done to deliver
the end product.




         Did you like this eBook? Share it!
                     Tweet About It - Click here to Tweet Now!

                  Share It On LinkedIn - Click here to Share Now!

               Talk About It On Facebook - Click here to Share Now!

            Tell People About It On Google+ - Click here to Share Now!




                                                                                   20

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Andere mochten auch

Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...
Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...
Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...Fe Angela Verzosa
 
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)Abbie De Villar
 
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)William Marco Locañas
 
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook AdsWilliam Marco Locañas
 
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 Tips
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 TipsSocial Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 Tips
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 TipsWishpond
 

Andere mochten auch (7)

How to Use Basecamp
How to Use BasecampHow to Use Basecamp
How to Use Basecamp
 
Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...
Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...
Social Networking Literacy Skills: Recasting the Readers Services Librarians'...
 
Basecamp Tutorial
Basecamp TutorialBasecamp Tutorial
Basecamp Tutorial
 
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)
How to use Basecamp - A project management tool (2015)
 
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)
TRELLO(A Project Management Application for YOU)
 
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads
[CASE STUDY] 378% ROI On Your Sales Funnel Using Facebook Ads
 
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 Tips
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 TipsSocial Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 Tips
Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents: 21 Tips
 

Mehr von GetApp

How to get more organic links from your content
How to get more organic links from your content How to get more organic links from your content
How to get more organic links from your content GetApp
 
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small Businesses
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small BusinessesGartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small Businesses
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small BusinessesGetApp
 
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management Software
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management SoftwareChecklist: How to Choose Project Management Software
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management SoftwareGetApp
 
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016GetApp
 
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce StoreGetApp
 
How Pipedrive helped capytech
How Pipedrive helped capytechHow Pipedrive helped capytech
How Pipedrive helped capytechGetApp
 
Manage engine OpManager Analyst Review
Manage engine OpManager Analyst ReviewManage engine OpManager Analyst Review
Manage engine OpManager Analyst ReviewGetApp
 
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst Review
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst ReviewSynchroteam Workforce Management Analyst Review
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst ReviewGetApp
 
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - Infographic
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - InfographicThe Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - Infographic
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - InfographicGetApp
 
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011GetApp
 
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011GetApp
 
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011GetApp
 
Zoho Support
Zoho Support Zoho Support
Zoho Support GetApp
 
Zoho Recruit Analyst Review
Zoho Recruit Analyst ReviewZoho Recruit Analyst Review
Zoho Recruit Analyst ReviewGetApp
 
Zoho Projects Analyst Review
Zoho Projects Analyst ReviewZoho Projects Analyst Review
Zoho Projects Analyst ReviewGetApp
 
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst Review
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst ReviewTeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst Review
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst ReviewGetApp
 
Top 20 apps
Top 20 appsTop 20 apps
Top 20 appsGetApp
 

Mehr von GetApp (17)

How to get more organic links from your content
How to get more organic links from your content How to get more organic links from your content
How to get more organic links from your content
 
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small Businesses
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small BusinessesGartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small Businesses
Gartner Symposium 2016 Roundup: Key Trends for Small Businesses
 
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management Software
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management SoftwareChecklist: How to Choose Project Management Software
Checklist: How to Choose Project Management Software
 
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016
Rise of the smart machines: Gartner’s top tech predictions for 2016
 
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store
10 Tips to Promote Your eCommerce Store
 
How Pipedrive helped capytech
How Pipedrive helped capytechHow Pipedrive helped capytech
How Pipedrive helped capytech
 
Manage engine OpManager Analyst Review
Manage engine OpManager Analyst ReviewManage engine OpManager Analyst Review
Manage engine OpManager Analyst Review
 
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst Review
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst ReviewSynchroteam Workforce Management Analyst Review
Synchroteam Workforce Management Analyst Review
 
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - Infographic
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - InfographicThe Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - Infographic
The Most Important Online CRM and Social CRM Apps - Infographic
 
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011
Pinpointe analyst-review-june-2011
 
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011
Clarizen analyst-review-october-2011
 
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011
Mavenlink Analyst Review April 2011
 
Zoho Support
Zoho Support Zoho Support
Zoho Support
 
Zoho Recruit Analyst Review
Zoho Recruit Analyst ReviewZoho Recruit Analyst Review
Zoho Recruit Analyst Review
 
Zoho Projects Analyst Review
Zoho Projects Analyst ReviewZoho Projects Analyst Review
Zoho Projects Analyst Review
 
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst Review
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst ReviewTeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst Review
TeamSupport Helpdesk Analyst Review
 
Top 20 apps
Top 20 appsTop 20 apps
Top 20 apps
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessQ2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessAPCO
 
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing ExamplesIntellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing Examplesamberjiles31
 
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsEntrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsP&CO
 
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig OnlineTo Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Onlinelng ths
 
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access
 
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb to
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb toLecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb to
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb toumarfarooquejamali32
 
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxIntroduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxJemalSeid25
 
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsData skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsyasinnathani
 
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.mcshagufta46
 
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003believeminhh
 
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)Lviv Startup Club
 
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfTalent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfCharles Cotter, PhD
 
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursDeveloping Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursKaiNexus
 
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGUNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGlokeshwarmaha
 
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsUpgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsIntellect Design Arena Ltd
 
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfPDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfHajeJanKamps
 
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...AustraliaChapterIIBA
 
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdf
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdfPDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdf
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdfHajeJanKamps
 
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..dlewis191
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessQ2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
 
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing ExamplesIntellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
 
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdfWAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
 
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizationsEntrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
Entrepreneurship & organisations: influences and organizations
 
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig OnlineTo Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
 
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
Borderless Access - Global Panel book-unlock 2024
 
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb to
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb toLecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb to
Lecture_6.pptx English speaking easyb to
 
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxIntroduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
 
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsData skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
 
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.
A flour, rice and Suji company in Jhang.
 
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
The Vietnam Believer Newsletter_MARCH 25, 2024_EN_Vol. 003
 
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)
Michael Vidyakin: Introduction to PMO (UA)
 
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfTalent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
 
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursDeveloping Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
 
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISINGUNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
 
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking ApplicationsUpgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
Upgrade Your Banking Experience with Advanced Core Banking Applications
 
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfPDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
 
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
IIBA® Melbourne - Navigating Business Analysis - Excellence for Career Growth...
 
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdf
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdfPDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdf
PDT 88 - 4 million seed - Seed - Protecto.pdf
 
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
Team B Mind Map for Organizational Chg..
 

Simple Project Management For Small Business - Six Easy Steps To Success

  • 1. Simple Project Management for Small Business Six Easy Steps to Success
  • 2. NOTICE You MAY Give Away This Report Freely To Anyone You Choose, However It Must Remain Intact In Its Published Form You MAY Also: Tweet About It - Click here to Tweet Now! Share It On LinkedIn - Click here to Share Now! Talk About It On Facebook - Click here to Share Now! Tell People About It On Google+ - Click here to Share Now! ©2012 GetApp This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. GetApp would like to thank the following people for their contributions to this book. ■■ Eleanor Mayrhofer – e.m.papers ■■ Elizabeth Harrin – A Girl’s Guide to Project Management ■■ Josh Nankivel – pmStudent ■■ Lyndsay Scott – Arras People ■■ Peter Taylor – The Lazy Project Manager
  • 3. Table of Contents Introduction   1 What is Project Management?   3 Why Is Project Management Useful For Small Businesses?   5 6 Easy Steps To Start Managing Projects In Your Small Business   7 Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Project   10 5 Steps To Find Software That Can Help You Manage Your Projects   12 Resources To Help You With Project Management    14 Courses/Certifications   14 Infographics   14 Blogs and Articles   15 Project Management Software Reviews   16 Connect With Project Managers On Twitter   16 Other Project Management Resources   17 Common Project Management Terms    18 Share this ebook!   20
  • 4. Introduction Much of the time when people hear the term “project management,” it conjures up a visual of huge projects that take hundreds of people, lots of money, and a good bit of time to complete. But the reality is, many projects are much smaller than those we imagine. Most small business owners juggle numerous projects at any given time. You may not think of the things that you do as projects, but consider this list for a moment. ■■ Remodel your website ■■ Develop a new marketing campaign ■■ Create a new product offering ■■ Hire an employee ■■ Coordinate a joint venture ■■ Plan a newsletter ■■ Deliver client services Any of those sound familiar to you? These are just a few of the projects you might be involved in at any given point in time. And, most likely, you’re juggling multiple projects at the same time. That means you have to coordinate resources and manage deliverables for multiple 1
  • 5. items all at once. And the problem with that is things can fall through the cracks. How would you answer the following questions? ■■ Do your projects get done on time? ■■ Do your projects make money? ■■ Do you track work as it gets done? ■■ Do you monitor how much money and time is being spent during a project? ■■ Has a customer ever said, “This isn’t what I wanted.” If you answered no to any of the first four questions or yes to the last one, it’s time for you to take a serious look at how project management can help your small business. 2
  • 6. What is Project Management? It’s likely you’ve encountered problems in your business that were tough to solve. Project management is an organized process that can help you solve those problems with the least amount of hassle. It sounds complicated, but it’s not. Have you had any of these problems in your business? ■■ Miscommunication between team members ■■ Client product delivery that had to be reworked when you thought it was complete ■■ Overruns on client projects ■■ Missed delivery dates on client projects ■■ A recurring internal problem that just won’t go away You’re not alone. Many small businesses struggle with these very same issues. And most small businesses can’t afford to waste time and effort spinning their wheels to accomplish work. It can be the catalyst that puts you out of business. Using a project management approach in your business can minimize confusion, rework, errors and best of all, it can help you delight your customers. So what’s the “official” definition of project management? According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), which is known as the authority for project management knowledge and processes, the short definition of a project is “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.” 3
  • 7. And here’s the long version: “Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals — and thus, better compete in their markets.” If you ask ten people the definition of project management, you’re likely to get ten different answers. We tapped a few of the most influential project management professionals on the internet for their definition: “Getting something new and exciting done with a group of people!” Peter Taylor What is “Project management “Leading teams to create something new!” Project for me is all about management first.” Josh Nankivel Management? Lindsay Scott “Project management is the art and science of getting things done.” Elizabeth Harrin 4
  • 8. Why Is Project Management Useful For Small Businesses? Small businesses don’t have the luxury of abundant resources to accomplish each task. It’s likely that every employee in your business wears several hats at a time. That’s why project management is so useful for small business. It will help you make the most of your resources (even if the only resource is you), manage your budget, and deliver quality solutions to your customer. It can even help you make your internal business processes work better so it takes less time and effort to get things done. In short, project management can help you turn chaos into order. Here are four reasons why project management is so valuable to small business: 1. Makes big goals achievable – With a project management approach to your goals, you can seize opportunities, solve problems and realize the success you seek. 2. Reveals gaps and pitfalls – All projects are not meant to become reality. If you’re like most small business owners, you have more ideas than you could complete in a lifetime. Using a project management approach can help you see the gaps in your thinking and provide the “cons” of completing a project before you’ve invested a lot of time, resources, and money in the project. 3. Breaks down the overwhelm – Do you dream big and then get exhausted thinking of all the things that have to be done to realize that dream? Project management helps you “chunk up” the work into bite sized pieces so you can make progress and avoid getting so overwhelmed that you get nothing done. 5
  • 9. Nothing can motivate more than small rewards along the way to achieving a big goal. 4. Gets the work out of your head – Writing down what needs to be done to accomplish your goals will help you get done faster without a lot of rework. Having to remember everything that needs to be accomplished just clutters up your brain and creates a prescription for disaster. One of the main advantages of being a small business is using innovation and creativity so you can get products and services to market quicker. It gives you a competitive advantage. Project management expert Lindsay Scott says, “Project management in small businesses not only allows them to remain competitive through change and innovation but it also allows an organization to manage these changes in a structured way, increasing the likelihood that any project would be delivered successfully.” And that’s the objective – to deliver projects successfully – so you can sustain your business. But you don’t have to go “full out” with the PMI structured Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) on managing your projects. Scott adds, “Adopting even a ‘light touch’ project management framework can enable an organization to effectively choose which projects to run; when to run them and by whom. With project management comes control and with control comes the ability for management to keep a tight rein on developments that affect the future of the business.” 6
  • 10. 6 Easy Steps To Start Managing Projects In Your Small Business Way too many small business owners use a “Fire, Ready, Aim” approach to accomplishing projects. In the short run, this method may seem faster than planning your efforts, but this approach is fraught with danger and can cost your business lost time, money, effort and worst of all, dissatisfied customers. It’s been proven time and again that planning ahead can save time, money, and effort when it comes to projects. The basic premise is that an issue found in the planning stage will cost a lot less than an issue uncovered later in the lifecycle of your project. This is known as the 1:10:100 rule. Here’s the breakdown. ■■ It’s least expensive to plan well and resolve all problems in the concept and planning stages of your project. ■■ If an issue is not resolved in the planning stage, it will cost 10 times more in the development stage ■■ Lastly, it will cost 100 times more if the issue is uncovered after the project has been delivered. There’s a lot of value in thinking through and planning your projects before beginning. It’s not rocket science by any stretch of the imagination. You simply need to clearly define the “Why, What, How, Who, and When” of getting things done before you actually begin the work. 7
  • 11. Small business owner Eleanor Mayrhofer – a corporate refugee like many of today’s small business owners – developed a methodology for completing projects when she was launching and growing her business e.m.papers. She calls it “Steal This Process” and it’s specifically focused on helping small business owners use a project management approach to getting things done. Her method describes essential steps to take into account every time you are thinking of starting a project to avoid complications and wasted effort. It’s structured around six simple steps that are important to successful projects: Defining Goals, Developing Scope, Estimating, Planning, Executing and Reviewing. 1 - Goals The first step is to define the “Why” of your project. Think about and write down what you want to achieve at the conclusion of this project. This is the basic foundation of your project and what will guide you along the way. 2 - Scope With your goals in mind it’s time to think about the “What.” At this point you should think about the deliverables of the project. What has to be done in order to achieve the proposed goals above? Define each of the tasks so it is clear what needs to be done. 8
  • 12. 3 - Estimation At this step you should define an estimate of how long each of the defined tasks will take to be completed. 4 - Planning You already know what has to be done and how long each of the tasks will take, now you will use that information to identify how long it will take depending on the resources you have available. Put it on a timeline so you will have a visual of the total time it will take to achieve your goals and complete your project. 5 - Executing It’s time to get things done. Check your plan daily and follow the tasks you have identified. Problems can appear, so update your plan as you go to keep everything on track. Most important in the execution phase is not straying from your plan. 6 - Reviewing Reviewing the project is part of the process to ensure you stay on track. You’ll want to do this periodically as you progress through your project and at the end when the project is complete. Reviewing will help you understand what worked, what didn’t work, and will provide you with valuable insight for the next project. 9
  • 13. Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Project In a perfect world, your projects will go from start to finish without any changes or problems. But we don’t live in a perfect world and the reality is, you will encounter problems along the way and be required to make adjustments on the fly to ensure a successful end to your project. There are any number of things that can go wrong, so we tapped Peter Taylor, The Lazy PM, to find out some of the more common problems you could encounter in your project. ■■ I couldn’t deliver the project in the estimated time. What happened? To answer the “what happened,” don’t be afraid to run a simple lessons learned process to identify the cause of any variances to estimates. Were you too optimistic about what you could achieve? Were the tasks not specified to the right level? All tasks should be broken down to short work packages to allow good tracking of your progress. ■■ Some tasks can’t be done in the assigned time and it’s delaying the project. First, recognize this as an issue for any future projects – you’ll want to learn why this is the case and how you can avoid repeating the problem in the future. Second, take the time to review all of the outstanding tasks and, based on the actual time to complete earlier tasks, re-baseline the project to determine a realistic project completion date. 10
  • 14. ■■ I can’t handle managing so many projects. A sure sign of this is when you spend 100% of your time “report producing” rather than actually managing projects. Too many projects means that you have to prioritize – assess of risk impact of all of your projects failing to deliver so you can give each project the right level of attention. ■■ The tool I wanted is too expensive for what I really need. Do you really understand what it is that you do need? It is often best to use standard office and other tools when you start managing projects so you really learn what it is that you ‘need’ to manage the project. And then, after a period of time, you can better articulate what it is that is essential to your requirements and what software will help you with your project management tasks. 11
  • 15. 5 Steps To Find Software That Can Help You Manage Your Projects When you start out using a project management approach to getting things done in your small business, you’ll most likely use the tools at hand – MS Office tools like Word and Excel, Google Docs or just plain paper and sticky notes. Those will work fine for you, but you may find as you become more adept at project management that you want a software tool to help you become even more productive. It’s important to find the right tool to help you achieve those goals, so here’s a five step process that can narrow it down for you. 1. Identify your needs Detail the requirements you are looking for in a PM tool. Identify which methodology you will use to get projects done and the components that would be most helpful in achieving your goals. Brainstorm a list of those items that are most important to you. Some of the more common requirements are a strong collaboration system, multiple team member access, simple task management, and mobile integration. 2. Get a comprehensive list of applications The best place to find a comprehensive list of project management applications is at GetApp. Take a look at the list here - Project Management Software Options - read what other users have to say by checking reviews and do comparisons of the software tools. Dig deep into software reviews on our blog to discover more details about each tool. 12
  • 16. 3. Create a short list After reviewing the multitude of options available, it’s time to create a short list of applications to narrow down your options. Compare the offered features with your business needs from Step 1, and check what prices match your budget. Choose two or three applications for this short list. 4. Use the trial period Most cloud business apps offer a free trial period. Use this time to test the applications you’ve put on your short list by testing out a current project or two. Compare the features and ease of use for your team. Identify which of the applications best fits the needs of your business. 5. Go for it! Once you’ve identified the best application for your business, sign up for your preferred plan, create your team’s credentials, and start using it. 13
  • 17. Resources To Help You With Project Management Courses/Certifications ■■ Project Management Institute (PMI) http://www.pmi.org/ ■■ Arras People http://www.arraspeople.co.uk/project-management-directory/project- management-training-directory/ Infographics ■■ 25 Top Online Project Management Software http://www.getapp.com/infographics/top-online-project-management-software ■■ How to Become a Project Manager http://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/2011/8/1/how-to-become-a-project-manager- infographic.html ■■ Causes of Conflict in Project Management http://www.pm4girls.elizabeth-harrin.com/2012/03/infographic-conflict-in-project- management/ 14
  • 18. Blogs and Articles ■■ Top 10 Project Management Influencers to Follow on the Web http://www.getapp.com/blog/project-management-influencers/ ■■ What is Online Project Management for Small Business? http://www.getapp.com/blog/project-management-small-business/ ■■ How Do I Encourage Innovation in My Projects? http://www.pmhut.com/how-do-i-encourage-innovation-on-my-projects ■■ Four Key Drivers for Team Engagement http://www.pm4girls.elizabeth-harrin.com/2012/03/four-key-drivers-for-team- engagement/ ■■ The Projects Story Circle. Talking About Transitions http://www.projectshrink.com/the-project-story-circle-talking-about- transitions-6004.html ■■ The Human Factor in Project Management http://www.blog.pmbookclub.com/2012/01/human-factor-in-project- management.html ■■ PM Book Club http://www.pmbookclub.com/ ■■ Agile is a Must for Dev-Shops! http://www.planbox.com/blog/agile-project-management/agile-is-a-must-for-dev- shops.html ■■ 5 Steps for Managing a Remote Project Team http://www.mavenlink.com/community/blogs/383-5-steps-for-managing-a- remote-project-team 15
  • 19. ■■ Project Management’s Holy Grail http://blogs.attask.com/blog/strategic-project-management/project- managements-holy-grail ■■ How to Build a Project Plan https://www.clarizen.com/community/blogs/how-to-build-a-project-plan. html?pid=5008 ■■ Save Your Sanity! Maybe It’s Time For A Project Management Tool http://www.getapp.com/blog/small-business-project-management-tool/ ■■ I’m Ready to Outsource, Now What? http://www.getapp.com/blog/ready-to-outsource/ Project Management Software Reviews ■■ Comprehensive List of Project Management Cloud Applications http://www.getapp.com/project-management-software ■■ List of Project Management Software Reviews http://www.getapp.com/blog/tag/project-management Connect With Project Managers On Twitter ■■ Follow the hashtags #pmot (Project Managers on Twitter) and #pmchat (Project managers chat) 16
  • 20. Other Project Management Resources ■■ Steal This Process http://stealthisprocess.com/ ■■ Free Project Plan Template (MS Word) http://goo.gl/pYbbi ■■ Free Project Gantt Chart (MS Excel) http://goo.gl/dUaZU ■■ Free Simple Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt Chart (Google Doc) http://goo.gl/kYnvk 17
  • 21. Common Project Management Terms Agile Agile is a set of methods for software development. It is based on iterations and individuals over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contracts and responding to change over following a plan. Charter A Project Charter is a short document containing the scope of the project, its objectives and the participants. This preliminary document should identify the stakeholders, define the project manager authority and delineate roles and responsibilities. Critical path Refers to an algorithm that identifies linked tasks, which indicates if one of them fails the whole project plan is affected. Gantt Chart This chart visually represents the tasks of a project with their duration on a timeline. This visualization model can also display dependencies between the tasks. Lean The main principle of Lean is to be more effective and productive, which means deliver an end product with more value and less waste of time or resources. 18
  • 22. Life Cycle The start to end process of a project. A traditional Project’s Life Cycle consists in four different phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution and Closure. Milestone Milestones represent the completion of key deliverables or important decisions during the execution phase of a project and are used frequently to monitor its progress. Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) One of the main books on project management practices. It describes guidelines and defines global standards managing projects. PMP This acronym stands for Project Management Professional. It is the main certification for a project manager, offered by the PMI. Prince2 This is a standard in Project Management based processes. It is extensively used by the UK Government and recognized internationally by the private sector. Project Plan A formal document used to guide both project execution and project control. The primary uses of the project plan are to document planning assumptions and decisions, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and document approved scope, cost, and schedule baselines. A project plan may be summarized or detailed. 19
  • 23. Scope The scope of a Project is the breakdown of all the work that has to be done to deliver the end product. Did you like this eBook? Share it! Tweet About It - Click here to Tweet Now! Share It On LinkedIn - Click here to Share Now! Talk About It On Facebook - Click here to Share Now! Tell People About It On Google+ - Click here to Share Now! 20