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A project is a set of tasks that must be completed within a given timeline to achieve specific goals. A team, led by a project manager, oversees the schedules, progress, budget, and other relevant aspects to ensure success.

First things first, what is project management? Project management is the science of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing a project. Essentially, it's about getting things done efficiently and effectively from conception to completion.

Regardless of the chosen methodology, always keep the triple constraint in mind: Budget, Time, and Scope. Projects should aim to be completed within budget, on time, and meet the established scope. The triple constraint is typically represented as a triangle, with each corner dependent on the others. For instance, building a stadium for the Olympic Games requires strict adherence to the timeline, which may necessitate budget adjustments or scope changes.

The project life cycle is divided into five phases: initiation, planning, execution, controlling, and closing.

Every successful project begins with initiation. This phase involves laying the groundwork and defining the project's purpose and objectives. Conduct thorough research to establish feasibility and identify stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and service providers.

With a clear understanding of your project's objectives, dive into the planning phase. This involves developing a detailed project roadmap outlining the scope, schedule, budget, and resources necessary for completion. Key components include creating a work breakdown structure (WBS), defining project milestones, and estimating resource requirements.

The execution phase brings your project to life by coordinating resources and collaborating with your team. This phase requires strong leadership and communication to ensure everyone is working towards the same goal. Key activities include assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and resolving issues promptly.

Parallel to execution, the controlling phase involves tracking progress, identifying risks, and making necessary adjustments to keep the project on course. Continuous oversight and proactive management are essential to address any issues that arise.

As your project nears completion, the closing phase ensures a smooth conclusion. This involves formalizing deliverables, obtaining stakeholder approval, and conducting a post-project review to capture valuable lessons for future endeavours.

There are different project management methodologies, each with its strengths and weaknesses. A traditional approach where each phase flows sequentially from one to the next. Suitable for projects with well-defined requirements.

Focused on flexibility and adaptability, Agile breaks the project into small, manageable iterations, allowing for quick responses to changes and incremental value delivery.

A subset of Agile, Scrum emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and iterative development through short, time-boxed iterations called Sprints.

Kanban visualizes workflow and limits work in progress. Using a Kanban board, tasks move through stages such as “To do,” “Doing,” and “Done,” providing a clear visual representation of work.

Lean focuses on eliminating waste and maximizing value by delivering value to the customer while minimizing resources, time, and effort. As a project manager, understanding these methodologies allows you to choose the one that best fits your project's needs.

Project management is about finding what works best for you and your team. No single methodology is perfect for all scenarios. It's about the journey and the lessons learned along the way. By the way, if you're looking for robust and user-friendly project management software, try Kanbanchi. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace!