Project management is the process that involves supervising a team’s activities to achieve the goals of the project while adhering to specific constraints. These constraints can include time, scope and cost as well as resources. Project managers should also be aware of the project’s surroundings and the risks.
There are numerous methodologies and best practices for managing projects including critical chain project management (CCPM), agile methods as well as the HERMES method and the general system approach to project management among others. The Association for Project Management (APM) offers professional standards for project management as well as certifications, a global network of project experts as well as blogs, research, and other resources for influencers, decision makers and project managers.
In order to ensure the success of your project it is essential to plan the project thoroughly. This includes determining the project’s technical specifications as well as preparing a comprehensive timeline and preparing a communication strategy. It is also essential to identify who is responsible and what responsibilities are assigned, identify what items need to be purchased and hold a kick-off meeting.
A popular tool used to plan projects is the Gantt chart which permits project managers to visualize the timeline of the project and determine the interdependencies between tasks. It also allows them to make real-time adjustments and assign resources. It also includes collaboration features, which enable team members to update the status of tasks and share changes. They can also collaborate on documents directly within the chart.
To find the best tools to manage your project, assess your industry-specific requirements and look at features like task management, timeline visualizations as well as resource management, collaboration tools including reporting and analytics and integrations. Then, choose a tool that will meet your needs and budget.