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Time: 8 hours
Level: Masters
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 Introduction Resource- Many managers find that they are required to manage projects. In this unit we aim to help you to take an overview of the features of a project and the issues that arise in managing a project. Once you...
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- 1.1 A definition Resource
- One definition is
- 1.2 What is expected from projects? Resource
- The project may be expected to deliver financial benefits to the organisation.
- 1.3 Examples of projects Resource
- A project might involve establishing a new product or service, developing an existing product or service or discontinuing a product or closing a service that is no longer required.
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| | 2 Why projects fail – the dimensions of failure
- 2 Why projects fail – the dimensions of failure Resource
- Unfortunately, projects are not always completely successful and the consequences of an unsuccessful project can be significant politically, financially and socially for organisations and for the people...
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| | 3 Where do projects come from?
- 3.1 The idea Resource
- Essentially, any project begins with an idea. The idea is often one about how to do something that seems to be needed. Transforming ideas into projects begins with recognising the nature of this driving...
- 3.2 Mind mapping Resource
- The term ‘Mind mapping’ was devised by Tony Buzan for the representation of ideas, notes, information, etc., in radial tree-diagrams – sometimes also called ‘spider diagrams’. These are now very widely...
- 3.3 Task breakdown chart Resource
- The task breakdown technique is a very logical approach to identifying the tasks involved in a project. Some people may find it suits them better than using mind maps; other people may find the techniques...
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| | 4 Project inputs and outputs
- 4 Project inputs and outputs Resource
- A project involves the transformation of inputs into an output or product. For example, people's mental and physical efforts, bricks and mortar, equipment or materials might be transformed into a new road,...
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| | 5 Setting aims and objectives
- 5 Setting aims and objectives Resource
- ‘If you don't know where you're going, you might end up somewhere else.’
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| | 6 The stakeholders and their interests
- 6 The stakeholders and their interests Resource
- Anyone in the organisation, or outside it, who has or might have a legitimate interest in the project and its outputs or outcomes, is a stakeholder. You need to identify these people and groups so that...
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- 7.1 Consider the purpose Resource
- A project that meets an important need for your organisation will contribute towards meeting wider organisational targets. Consider the purpose – what will the project contribute that will further the...
- 7.2 Feasibility studies Resource
- For some projects, particularly large or innovative ones, it may be appropriate to carry out a feasibility study before beginning the detailed work of planning and implementation. Alternatively, or in...
- 7.3 Risk and contingency planning Resource
- Risk in projects may be defined as ‘an event or situation … which can endanger all or part of the project’
- 7.4 Risk assessment and impact analysis Resource
- Risk assessment involves measuring the probability that a risk will become a reality; impact analysis involves measuring the sensitivity of the project to each identified risk. The key questions...
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| | 8 A basis for action and the project brief
- 8 A basis for action and the project brief Resource
- Once the initial discussions about the purpose and feasibility of the project have confirmed that the project is worth carrying out, it is essential to establish the basic agreement as a document. The...
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- 9 Summary Resource
- The project brief is a summary of previous discussions and research. If there is earlier documentation, the project brief can refer to these documents and summarise the key points rather than repeat everything....
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| | References and Acknowledgements | |
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