Page 221 - DMGT302_FUNDAMENTALS_OF_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Fundamentals of Project Management

Notes Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
4. A circle consisting of horizontal bars that depict the start date and duration for each
activity.
5. PERT chart is a diagram in which activities are represented by lines and events on the
nodes (typically depicted as circles or bubbles).
6. The key events schedule and the activities plan display dates better; the Gantt and PERT
charts give a better overview of how long activities take and where they coincide.

14.5 Project Management Software

If you are keeping track of a simple project involving only one or two individuals, you can
probably use a network diagram drawn on a board or in an electronic document. But as the
number of projects and responsibilities you juggle grows, you may want to make use of one of
the many software packages available. They can help you spot, for example, resource conflicts
(such as one person assigned to three overlapping activities) and identify which activities can be
delayed to accommodate that problem without jeopardizing the schedule. Good software helps
you brainstorm the organization of activities on screen, create a WBS, link activities, develop a
schedule, identify resources, maintain information on progress, and generate reports. When
you make a change, the software reflects the impact of that change throughout the project.

Microsoft Project, a program that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office, is a popular
choice. The software package lets you enter any number of tasks and schedule them. You can
then view the data using multiple formats (e.g., Gantt charts or PERT diagrams). You can also
enter cost for each resource and the software will automatically track the spending of the project.
Other popular choices are the packages Act! (Symantec Corp.) and Now Up-to-Date (Qualcomm,
Inc.).
After some short training on these software packages, it is straightforward to build new plans.
Several fields, including construction and some areas of business management, make extensive
use of this kind of software. You may be able to find undergraduates, especially in engineering
or business schools, who would be eager to polish their skills (and get a line for their résumé)
by doing the grunt work needed to move your established pencil-and-paper plans onto the
computer.

Controlling the Project

Effective project management demands that the components of a project be constantly monitored
and revised with new information. The principle investigator typically plays this role in addition
to the following tasks:
1. Championing the project for the project audience (e.g., through seminars and informal
updates to supporters).
2. Clearing away obstacles for the project team (such as minimizing other
responsibilities for the team members and providing a supportive and comfortable
work environment).
3. Providing resources, by way of funds, access to essential equipment, and technical skills.

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