The Role of Project Management in Achieving Project Success - Report Example

?IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Importance of Project Management Concepts in the Success and Faliure of aProject 5 Business Process Changes and Successful Procedures that Need to be Followed By the Project Manager at Moonsoon Boutique to Deliver the Project On Time and On Budget 7 Three Constraints of Project Management 10 Overcoming the Challenges of Project Constraints 13 Conclusion 15 References 16 Bibliography 17 Introduction Project management reflects the application related to skills, tools and techniques to identify the activities that are required to be executed in attaining the business objectives (Comninos & Frigenti, 2006). In accordance with the process of project management, it entails five major proceedings to attain the successful conclusion of the project. ‘Initiation’, ‘Planning’, ‘Execution’, ‘Controlling’ and ‘Closure’ represent the processes that frame the lifecycle of a project (Artech, 2003). The team circling the project manages various activities involved within the project. According to the activities, it has been further revealed that activities incorporate competing demands with respect to time, quality, risk and cost. Project teams make efforts in managing the expectations with regard to the stakeholders. It is the responsibility of the project team to identify the requirements related to running a project. The knowledge areas related to the project management represent the integration, time, scope, cost, quality, human resource and communication and risk management. Application of the knowledge areas with respect to project management is shown through a pictorial representation given below: (Choudhuri, n.d.). Application of Knowledge Areas (Choudhuri, n.d.) With reference to the provided scenario, it is observed that Moonsoon boutique wants to open an online shop, thus it has hired an IT Project Manager to handle and manage the entire project cycle. The objective of the assignment project related to Moonsoon boutique entails the effective handling of the required changes in the business process with the aid of a number of busineess and IT teams. This report will reflect the use and the application of the concept involved within project manegemnet that helps in the success or failure of a given project. The objectiv of this report is to discuss the three constraints of project management that entail scope, time and cost along with quality management (Choudhuri, n.d.). Importance of Project Management Concepts in the Success and Faliure of a Project Project management with respect to e-commerce plays a vital role in a business activity. The system related to e-commerce represents outsourcing solutions from the web as well as the mobile sites. A project manager involved in the management of e-commerce projects must take care about the package selection, knowledge management, project portfolio management and the improvement of the research process (Light & et. al., 2005). To manage and deliver a project successfully, it entails six phases. Application and implementation of six phases lead the team to the appropriate direction. In accordance with the phases of the project management, when it is divided, the total allocated work is separated into different components that ultimately facilitate in monitoring the activities in a convenient manner (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). Initiation phase represents the beginning of any project. It incorporates the idea that relates to the exploration and the elaboration of the project. Implementation of the initiation phase reflects the feasibility of the project. In accordance with ensuring that the online shop of Moonsoon boutique functions appropriately, all the relevant details must be taken into concern. Parties involved in the given project must acquire a clear understanding and knowledge of the boutique shop. Proper and effective plan related to the proceedings of the project is planned by project manager in this phase (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). In keeping with the definition phase, it represents the details with respect to the requirements related with a given project. After the completion of the planning phase related with the project, the definition phase is being executed. In this phase, the project manager identifies the expectations of the parties involved in online shop of ‘Moonsoon boutique’. In this phase, the preconditions related to the project involved are examined properly. In accordance with this phase, the project manager considers the functional and the operational requirements related to the operations of ‘Moonsoon boutique’. This phase also establishes the limitations of the project. Project manager designs the limitations related to the e-commerce related functioning of the online shop of ‘Moonsoon boutique’. The result that entails the definition phase reflects the requirement of the various parties involved in the project. If the given project related to ‘Moonsoon boutique’ is elaborated more, it will incur heavy costs. The entire requirement related to the development of the project must be scrutinised by the project manager to control the budget attached with the project (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). After the development of the requirement in the definition phase, it is used and applied to frame a design of the project procedures and process. According to the design phase, designs are framed and developed that will facilitate the project manager to achieve the desired goals. The project manager requires designing processes and procedures that will be incorporated in completing the project related to the proper functionality of the online shop of ‘Moonsoon boutique’ (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). Development phase of project management represents the phase that develops the strategies needed to be implemented. In relation to this phase, certain strategies are involved in executing the operations of online shop of ‘Moonsoon boutique’. These strategies are framed in order to execute the process that is needed to complete the project (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). The strategies that have been framed in the aforesaid phase are executed and implemented in implementation phase. In relation to the aforesaid phases, the constructed designs are implemented in this phase. Additionally, all the strategies and the proceedings related to ‘Moonsoon boutique’ are being executed and implemented in this phase (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). In relation to the aforesaid processes involved in the project life cycle, it concludes with the follow up phase. The follow up phase represents the completion of the project. It incorporates the position and the time that the IT project related to ‘Moonsoon Boutiques’ will end at. Thus, effective enforcement of the aforesaid phases will lead to the attainment of the desired objectives (Modesto & Tichapondwa, 2009). Business Process Changes and Successful Procedures that Need to be Followed By the Project Manager at Moonsoon Boutique to Deliver the Project On Time and On Budget Project management related to e-commerce requires considerable amount of knowledge and strategies to manage the given project successfully. Package selection represents the strategy which the project manager must take into consideration. Applications of the package selection such as Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management accelerate the workings of the business processes (Shang & Seddon, 2002). In relation to the package selection, the project manager faces certain challenges with regard to the implementation and application of the package solutions. According to this particular context, it has been further revealed that the package solutions would provide Moonsoon boutique the resources to confront the challenges in terms of processes, methodologies, techniques and tools (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). Business intelligence incorporates the procedures as well as the techniques to achieve information related to the customer, internal processes and the competitors. In the modern day scenario, the traditional business environment is transforming to eBusiness. According to this statement, eBusiness models are resulting in digital competitiveness of the management with respect to interacting with the customers and the competitors. By applying the advanced techniques and procedures, the business can follow the customer trend as well as evaluate effectiveness of processes involved along with following the patterns of the competitors. In order to implement and execute the practices related to business intelligence, various tools and techniques must be applied to integrate with respect to the existing business proceedings (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). Knowledge management represents the strengths and the abilities of the employees and the staff of a business to operate the software related to the company’s processes. The application of the effective and efficient technical knowledge of the workforce helps in the attainment of successful business operations. In relation to customer relationship management, it represents proper and efficient measures to control the customer base (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). Project portfolio management helps the top level management in the decision making process. By applying the portfolio management, the managers scrutinise and analyse the project. It also helps the manager with respect to the application of the tools and techniques to find the best project in order to improve the skills as well as competitiveness of the company. In relation to an IT project of web-portal, it can be observed that there are certain crucial challenges that a manager faces with respect to ‘Time to Market’ problem. Process improvement procedure represents the optimisation of business procedures that helps the company to earn a rank within the competitive market scenario. The stakeholders view the company’s rank within the market scenario and the amount related to the profit that can be earned by investing in the company. With respect to process improvement, it has been further revealed that strategies related to the process improvement provide scopes as well as goals with respect to the improvement of the products and the services (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). Auditing and evaluating the risk management establishes economical as well as social implications related to the company’s decision. A project involves human factor to complete the entire process. Human resource management (HRM) determines the management of the people to attain the desired objectives. HRM entails the strategies and the processes that are incorporated to avoid the conflicts and to utilise the optimum capability of the resource. This will ultimately lead towards effective and efficient business proceedings. Thus, these were the basic procedures that a project manager related to the successful functioning of the online shop of ‘Moonsoon boutique’ must take into consideration to complete the project effectively as well as efficiently (Jacob & McClelland, 2001). Scheduling Algoritm To be Followed In a Successful Project (Jacob & McClelland, 2001) Three Constraints of Project Management According to the notion of project management, any project is undertaken by the management for a temporary basis for the accomplishment of a unique purpose. The distinctive goals related to the management are to provide sufficient resources during the proceedings of the project. In relation to the completion of a project, there exist three vital constraints that restrict the effective completion of the given project. The three constraints reflect the scope, time and cost along with proper focus on quality management related to the execution of the project. Thus, it is the responsibility of the project manager to balance and maintain the three constraints effectively and efficiently to get the desired results (Ivan & Saha, 2004). Triple Contsraints of Project Management (Ivan & Saha, 2004) Project management represents “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project” (Ivan & Saha, 2004). The presence of three constraints that represents quality that is the scope, cost is represented as resources and schedule is represented as the time. These three constituents work together to complete a project effectively and efficiently, thus it is the duty of the project manager to balance these constraints properly to implement the strategies related to the execution of the project (Meredith & Mantel, 2011). There exists a balance within these three constraints if the project manager successfully plans the proceedings, allocates the resources and executes the project effectively (Ivan & Saha, 2004). The scope or the quality of a project represents a specific statement related to the strategies which were agreed to be achieved as well as performed with respect to a particular project. The scope or quality of a given project reflects features, contents and functions that are incorporated within a given project. In relation to the constraint representing the scope, it reflects the desired results related to the project (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). In accordance with another constraint i.e. cost, it can be represented as resources as well. In order to avail the resources cost is incurred therefore the cost and the resources are interchangeable. Cost incurred in a given project reflects the money as well as the effort incurred in order to execute the strategies for the completion of the project. The resources reflect the manpower or the labours, materials for the project and the resources that manage the risk attached with a project (Ivan & Saha, 2004). Time or schedule related to an IT web-portal project requires scrutinising minute details. In relation to the other vital constraint that reflects the time or the schedule represents the required time for a given project to complete its full life cycle. Proper management and implementation of advanced strategies help in managing the time and analysing the steps along with the procedures involved within the proceedings of the project (Ivan & Saha, 2004). In accordance with the three major constraints related to an IT project, it is the responsibility as well as the duty of the project manager to prioritise these three constraints to attain the effective and ensure efficient completion of the project. The prioritisation can be ensured by the project manager only by having an interaction with client. It is the responsibility of the project manager of Moonsoon boutique to provide a clear understanding about the project and its constraints to the partners or the client. In order to balance the three constraints, the project manager needs to keep a track of all processes and the aspects related to project management. In accordance with the completion of a particular project, it depends upon the client’s requirements. In accordance with the effective and efficient completion of the project, it is necessary for the client to have a brief understanding about the project. It is the responsibility of the project manager to provide a clear understanding to the client with regard to the project. Project manager must communicate to client that for a quality project he/she needs certain amount of time and investment. Thus, the project manager must research deeply for managing the project of ‘Moonsoon boutiques’ (Ivan & Saha, 2004). Overcoming the Challenges of Project Constraints In order to overcome the three constraints related to project management, a focus on continuous development and the use of advanced strategies are required. In addition, it represents vital aspects in dealing with these three constraints. A knowledgeable and a successful project manager can maintain a balance between these three constraints without compromising with the quality concerns related to the project. In order to overcome these three constraints, several methods and techniques can be applied by the project manager to keep the project running. Additionally, a few of the methods are based on the prevention of stakeholders from altering the quality as well as to maintain the limits on the basis of both financial as well as human resources. It is the responsibility and the role of the project manager to supervise as well as to manage all the proceedings along with controlling the lifecycle of a particular project efficiently (Rand, 2000). In relation to the management of the project related to online shop of Moonsoon boutique successfully, it is the responsibility and the duty of the project manager to define the project as well as split the whole task within team members. A successfully project manager optimises the resources and builds a strong team work. In accordance with completion of the project, the manager sets objectives that are required for maintaining the quality of the project. It forms an important and a vital activity for the manager to keep the stakeholders informed about the proceedings of the project. Thus, the project manager needs to frame advanced strategies and to maintain a balance between the three constraints for efficient completion of the project of successful functioning of the online shop ‘Moonsoon boutique’ (Rand, 2000). Conclusion Project management represents the application of tools, techniques and knowledge to complete the project effectively and efficiently. Additionally, there exists certain phases of a project for its completion. Initiation, planning, execution, control and completion form the phases of lifecycle of a project. In relation to the project management concepts, they entail the procedures, resources and time for producing quality projects. In accordance with the notion of project management, a project represents a temporary process that is executed to achieve a unique purpose. However, in project management, there are three constraints that hinder the process as well as affect the quality facet of the project. The three constraints include scope entailing quality, schedule represented as time and cost represented as resources. A successful project manager manages these three constraints effectively and efficiently without compromising with the desired quality factors related to the project. Thus, it has been determined that proper execution of different concepts related to project management within an IT project of web-portal or e-commerce plays a vital role in the business growth and sustainability in the competitive market. References Artech, 2003. Project Management Methodology. Artech Information Systems LLC, pp. 1-18. Choudhuri, N.M., No Date. Project Management Fundamentals. ITC InfoTech, pp. 1-22. Comninos, D. & Frigenti, E., 2006. Business Focused Project Management. Denzo Limited. Ivan, I. & Saha, P., 2004. E-commerce Project Management. Economy Informatics, pp. 1-4. Jacob, D.B. & McClelland,W. T., 2001. Theory of Constraints Project Management. The Goldratt Institute, pp. 1-12. Light, M. & et. al., 2005. Realizing the Benefits of Project and Portfolio Management. Gartner, pp. 1-31. Modesto, S. T. & Tichapondwa, S. P., 2009. Successful Project Management. Insights From Distance Education Practices, pp. 1-134. Munns, A. K. & Bjeirmi, B. F., 1996. The Role of Project Management in Achieving Project Success. International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 81-87. Meredith, J. R. & Mantel, S. J., 2011. Project Management: A Managerial Approach. John Wiley & Sons. Rand, G.K., 2000. Critical Chain: The Theory Of Constraints Applied To Project Management. International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 18, pp. 173-177. Shang, S. & Seddon, P.B., 2002. Assessing And Managing The Bene?ts Of Enterprise Systems: The Business Manager’s Perspective. Info Systems, Vol. 12, pp. 271–299. Bibliography Lester, A., 2007. Project Management, Planning and Control. Butterworth-Heinemann. Schwalbe, 2008. Information Technology Project Management. 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