There is a wealth of information, advice, articles and blogs out there about the emerging profession of project management and these all, invariably, refer to project managers as if they were one breed. There is little distinction between the industry the project managers work in, or the levels of complexity in the projects they manage. And yet some types of projects are considerably more difficult to manage successfully than others.

One of the reasons that all sorts of project managers, in very different fields, are all classified together under one title is that fundamentally they are all doing the same job even if the details of what they do are very, very different. They all deliver something a customer wants by planning and managing a series of tasks aimed at delivering the product within a specified time and for a specified budget.

But, of course, the first point to recognise is that not every “product” is a physical thing. Some projects are established in order to change the processes by which a certain task is achieved (didn’t that use to be called Business Process Re-engineering?) or to enable a service to be provided more efficiently, or to move premises for a large organisation.

These types of project are very different from those that deliver a recognisable product such as a new technology gadget or a new building, which are again different from projects delivering a less tangible product such as new software.

So a project manager may be very successful in delivering simple projects in, let’s say, the manufacturing industry but may not be able to transfer those skills successfully to complex software development.

So what are some of the factors that distinguish a simple project from a complex project?

Financial Impact – Projects with a large budget will be inherently more complex because of the higher costs involved. Simple projects usually have relatively small budgets controlled and contained within a small department or division of a company.

Number of different departments, divisions or companies involved – A project being undertaken in-house by one department is likely to be a simple task. Whereas a project that involves deliverables from a number of different departments or companies will have interdependencies that generate complexity.

Legal or Environmental Implications – Projects with a significant impact legally or environmentally, the stakes are higher and so, consequently, is the complexity. There will be more requirements to satisfy, beyond the business requirements, than in a project with no such implications.

Range of Stakeholders – Any project with one or two stakeholders, with equivalent aims, is likely to be simple. Where many stakeholders exist, particularly where their aims may be competing, the project is bound to be complex, such as projects designed for a large community, a broad spectrum of users, or even a country.

It seems obvious then that the label of “project manager” can represent individuals with a wide range of different skills, training and experience. So how can a potential employer know that an experienced project manager actually has the right experience? How can they compare 10 years of experience managing simple projects with 3 years on complex projects? Fortunately the major project management associations have increasingly recognised the need for professional credentials that certify project management expertise at all skill levels.  Project management training is available for entry level qualifications such as the APM Introductory Certificate right through to the highest level credentials such as the Association for Project Management Registered Project Professional (APM RPP).

IT Project Management has become known as its own separate field which is maintained by a body of research and knowledge spanning fields with approved professional certification. The IT field is fast becoming more dependable, quicker and more affordable, the costs, complications, and dangers of IT projects keep increasing.

Extensive cited studies and reports show the majority of IT projects are either discontinued or completed over budget and/or over schedule and failed to meet the original instructions. Failure can be credited to several factors, most of them which are easily fixed. Companies have to recognize information technology as a long-term investment to be controlled and not just a cost to be managed. New techniques of IT project management welcome the socio-technical approach and see the execution of new IT systems as planned organizational revision.

IT Project Management is rooted on a project life cycle that is a group of well-organized stages that defines the life of a project from its beginning to end in order to explain, build, and carry out the product of a project — that is, the information system.

The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) explains nine understanding areas for understanding project management:

• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Communication Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management

These parts are all crucial to the successful result of any IT project and show the best practices in IT projects.

The start of an IT project begins with an idea and opening phase. This phase explains the project goal and measurable organizational value (also known as MOV). The MOV shows the real calculation of the success or failure of an IT project and is based on an organizational aim or master plan. Stakeholder examination and buy-in is a crucial function of this phase as well as the recognition and connection of the senior organizational sponsor. Another vital deliverable is the business case that interprets the project team, measurable organizational value (MOV), substitutes (if any), total price of ownership, total benefits of ownership, and the benefit-cost analysis of substitutes and recommended possible alternatives.

The next phase of the IT project focuses on the evolution of the project charter and project baseline plan. The project charter is an agreement between the organizational senior sponsor and the IT project manager that defines what is going to be, and needed to be, done, how it will be achieved, when it will be completed, and how much the total cost will be by the end of the IT project. The answers to these questions are clearly explained in the Project Charter or the baseline project plan and budget.

The next phase is the implementation of the IT project plan. This phase of the project puts the plan into effect. As work on the project moves forward, the scope, the schedule, the cost and budget, and the people, must be actively managed to make sure that the IT project reaches its desired goal. The communication of the project’s progress and operation production to the stakeholders is a vital component of the execution phase.

The concluding phases of the IT project require the official acceptance and assessment of the IT project. The rating of the IT project shows the critical importance of process advancement and improvement and the capture of organizational understanding for future IT projects.

Parallel Project Training offers a wide range of courses suitable for IT project managers including PMP certification from the USA based project management institute and APM qualifications from the UK Association for Project Management

In order for any project to have a successful outcome, a project needs a solid foundation. Before the work starts there must be the coming together of minds to agree the project objectives, scope and detailed activities to produce a working project plan. This will describe from start to finish how it will be done and in what duration it will be finished.

In the design of the project plan, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the process is completed with sufficient rigour and team involvement. There are a number of different ways in which a project plan can be established.  Whether one desires to use software that has been pre-planned or a course of action that calls for self-designation origin, all have certain commonalities that might include:

1. Measurable Goal Setting. There must an idea as to where the project is going and in a given timeframe what is to be accomplished. The goals must be obtainable and able to gauge. A given time frame must be set to complete a specific sector of the project assigned to certain individuals and that responsibility must be monitored, measured, and a record kept of events by an appointee. This is especially important in situations where each portion of the project relies on completion of another.
2. Identifying deliverables. Deliverables can be defined as changes that were made or something new that has been added to accomplish the goals. At any rate, the deliverable should be identified, stating what different steps were used, apart from the original, to meet the achieved goals. Make sure that deliverables are given to an authorized individual and approved.
3. Schedule Planning. Deciding how to use the timeframe that has been given to complete a project to meet the specified goal is important. This route will help one to understand what can be reasonably accomplished, use time wisely, provide extra time for the uncertainties, and to lessen overextension of oneself.
4.  Support plans. These plans include the process that will be used to accomplish the goals of the project. What approach will be used? What are the requirements for reaching the goals of the project?
5.  Back up plans. For every project that is planned there has to be some type of back up plan. If any part of the original procedures fail or has to be completely changed, there should be another avenue available to take its place. This will lessen the amount of set backs, reassuring that the time allocation that has been set for the project to be finished is met.

Benefits of Project Planning

• Timely completion of project. Time is of the essence and with project planning one can be assured that the project will be completed on target.
• Uninterrupted work flow. In addition, project planning will lessen the disruption of work and allow for continuous progression without a lot of delays.
•  Cost Control. The expenditure for the project will be decreased because the monies have been previously allocated and planned to the last penny as to what will be spent on what and when.
• Decreased changes. A work in progress is unsuccessful if there are many changes that have to be carried out and reworked. Project planning reduces these occurrences to the minimal.
• Keeps management informed. Project planning keeps management informed with timely reports as to the status of the project. No one has to guess or wonder what is actually going on, but information will be provided through memos, emails, etc.
• Stability. There is strength among the assigned workers when there is a project paln. Each individual has a clear understanding of what he or she is responsible for and when it is due. Project planning assures that the participants are running the project, instead of the project running them.

Training in Project PLanning

Parallel project training offer a wide range of courses in project management planning and project management. Please get in touch for details of our programmes.

Imagine in your mind that you are the hiring manager of a large scale company that is looking to bring on a new project manager, and you are staring at the large stack of resumes dreading getting started. The first thing that you want to do is rather than search for the eligible applicants and work your choices down to a few candidates, but it is first necessary to remove from the pile those applicants who are not qualified enough for the company. But wait, in your high level business, everyone in this pile is qualified, or else they wouldn’t be in the pile, but there must be something that can help chose the best person to bring in for interview. Well it turns out that there is, and the best way to get your foot in the door and placed on the top of the pile is with a PMP Certification.

PMP stands for Project Management Professional, and is a universally recognized certification. A survey done by PMI (Project Management Institute), which is the company that offers the certification, shows that a PMP, “Increases your salary up to 10% more than non-credentialed colleagues and peers,” as stated on their website. What sets this certification apart and makes it unique is that you have to be an experienced project manager to receive it, and that it is a great way to display that you are among the best, and most experienced project managers.

If you are interested in receiving this certification you will need a four-year degree with at least three years of management experience, totaling at least 4,500 hours, and 35 hours of management education. If you do not meet this criterion there is a second set you can also meet in place of these. Have a secondary diploma, with five years of experience, totally at least 7,500 hours, and 35 hours of management education. If you meet one of both of these criteria, then you are the perfect person to receive this certification, and with the benefit of having a resume that stands out and increased pay, there is no reason to not take advantage of this opportunity.

The average person will spend approximately 35 hours to prepare for the exam, which may very well be worth your time. If you spent an hour a day for just over a month, then, you could increase your pay by ten percent in only one month, through a legitimate and industry recognized program.

The one thing that you should take away from this is that whether or not you currently are employed, looking for a raise, or trying to find a job, the PMP certification has something to offer you. No matter how you look at it the pros far outweigh the cons, and for a small fee, you should get this certification to get your resume bumped to the top of anyone and everyone’s pile.

- In a new venture Parallel Project Training and Carnegie Enterprise are combining their expertise to deliver APM PQ training in Scotland during December 2011 -

Reading, UK. 31 October 2011: The Association for Project Management Practitioner Qualification (APM PQ) is an internationally recognised project management qualification aimed at project professionals experienced in managing non-complex projects. It provides experienced project managers with the opportunity to display their capabilities in planning and controlling projects, managing risks and major change, and working effectively as a project team member in addition to demonstrating their understanding of project management techniques. APM PQ project management training involves assessment of individual work based on case studies and current project management issues, discussions and problem-solving in groups, and candidate interviews.

Reading-based training company Parallel Project Training has recently embarked on a collaboration with Carnegie Enterprise to deliver their 3-day APM PQ training course at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline, Fife from 19^th – 21^st December 2011. Parallel Project Training is an accredited APM PQ training provider and offers APM training and coaching at a variety of locations across the UK at every stage from Introductory Level right through to the prestigious Registered Project Professional credential. They offer a comprehensive approach to project management training by promoting project management professionalism through both qualifications and continuous professional development in response to growing demand from individuals and organisations.

Speaking from their Reading headquarters, Paul Naybour, Business Development Director at Parallel Project Training, commented, “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Carnegie Enterprise – their experience providing project management training and consultancy across a range of client organisations within both the private and public sectors complements our innovative approach to training and our commitment to promoting excellence in project management. Our team of experts provide an intensive, continuous assessment training solution to enable every candidate to achieve their full potential. The APM PQ is the only project management qualification in the UK that assesses the capability of a project manager and we are proud to have the opportunity to enhance the range of project management courses available at the Carnegie Conference Centre”

Financial ventures and creative campaigns today happen on much larger scales than they have in the past due to the evolution of communications and the global marketplace. For this reason endeavors such as these involve many more people. It is essential to have project managers that can maintain the integrity and direction of such projects in order to give them the best chance for success. Becoming a successful project manager involves having both a successful track record the proper education and credentials. These are the guidelines that companies and individuals use when picking out the types of professionals that they want to work with to ensure a lucrative future. A PMP Credential is a common type of certification that is sought after in this area of business. PMP or the Project Manager Professional certification leads the industry as an indicator that an individual has the necessary education and experience needed to successfully direct large and vital projects.

In comparison to other working project managers, studies have shown that those individuals employed with a PMP certification earn up to ten percent more than their peers in the field. Attaining this certification involves taking a simple exam that allow you to advance your career right away. This exam consists of two hundred question that are in a multiple choice format. While these specifications may sound simple, it is imperative that applicants prepare for the exam, regardless of the extent of their management experience. As is true with most standardized exams, study aides and study programs are beneficial. Those candidates that have been successful in the past report spending thirty-five hours or more in preparation. This time included many activities that allowed them to become familiar with the material and come into the exam with the confidence that helped ensure success.

Studying the PMP credential handbook clarifies all of the qualifications that this exam is designed to assess. Reviewing the PMP Sample questions also lets applicants become familiar with the structure in which content will be presented so that they can properly tailor their study methods to be as prepared as possible. For those individuals that do their best work in groups, there are Registered Education Providers that set up study sessions or can provide tested and published study materials. It is also recommended that applicants form study groups with their colleagues, whether those be individuals that they work with or new colleagues that they meet with virtually. Guides books can be found online which are consistently updated to provide students with the latest knowledge base and methods for preparation. By taking this exam you can get your career as a project manager started off on the right foot or take a step forward in the career path that you have already established!

The presentation below has the latest guidance on how the pass the APMP exam

How the pass the APMP Exam

Growing concerns about our current economic state are causing a large number of people to feel insecure about their employment status. It seems that job security is no longer a guarantee and this can cause even the most confident and qualified employee to lose these motivation. Lack of morale can negatively impact your team and infect your group like a disease. As a project manager, you may be faced with one of the biggest challenges of your career during these types of transition, especially with employees who anticipate the end of a project.

- Parallel Project Training is this year sponsoring Synergy 2011, the high-profile event celebrating the project management profession-

Reading, UK. 13 October 2011: The Project Management Institute (PMI) UK Chapter is hosting Synergy 2011 on International Project Management Day, 3^rd November 2011, at Indigo O2 in London. This major event, to recognise and celebrate the project management profession, boasts high-profile speakers including politicians, sports personalities and TV celebrities and will be attended by HRH The Princess Royal as guest of honour.

The event will be a day of celebration, learning and entertainment for the UK’s project managers, who span a wide range of industries, with the opportunity to gain insight from those involved in some of the most significant projects happening in the UK today, including the Olympic Park project.

Parallel Project Training is delighted to be sponsoring this prestigious event and helping to raise the profile of project management within the UK. As a PMI Registered Education Provider, Parallel Project Training is one of a select group of companies entitled to deliver training courses leading to PMP Certification by the Project Management institute.  The PMP certification is an internationally recognised project management credential and is one of many professional courses of study offered by Parallel. Achieving the PMP credential demonstrates that a project manager has the experience, education and ability to successfully lead and direct projects in addition to an in-depth knowledge of project management techniques.

Speaking from their Reading headquarters, Paul Naybour, Business Development Director at Parallel Project Training, commented, “We are committed to developing excellence in project management through our innovative approach to training so are delighted to be involved in Synergy 2011. We recognise that project management impacts all aspects of business and is at the heart of business success. It is a profession that can transform companies and communities for the better by achieving the best results with the available resources.”

 
Visitors to Synergy 2011 can benefit from £100 off a PMP certification course at Parallel’s central London venue until the end of the year. Their PMP training courses are delivered by experienced project managers using realistic case-studies in order to enable project managers to deliver business benefits within their own organisations.

Parallel Project Training is delighted to be sponsoring Synergy 2011. As part of our commitment to developing excellence in project management we are offering £100 off our London PMP certification courses. These courses include:

 Highly experienced PMP trainers.

 Fantastic central London location.

 On-line exam support forum.

 35 hours of training as required for PMP certification.

 200 sample exam questions.

 Detailed course notes explain the PMBok Guide^®
in practical language.

For details visit: www.parallelprojecttraining.com and use synergy2011 discount code on checkout before the 31/12/2011

Download our PMP flier for more details of our PMP certification offer