How different is it from managing everyday functions and operations? When we talk about projects, it means a series of clearly-defined activities where you add resources and value to get a clear output — a well-defined product or service. What we are advocating here is somewhat different from what many managers or companies may think of managing projects. One of our objectives is to make sure that projects can be managed in the same way, with the same predictability, and the same consistency. In other words, say, if you put in your papers, the new project manager who replaces you, should be able to deliver the same performance and results, in the same way you were supposed to. One of the key aspects of any management program is to understand the functions of management — human resource development, marketing, production, manufacturing, sales, forecasting and so on. An understanding of all these is important. But what project management brings to the table, is how to manage change within an organisation. How to manage this change? Project management covers all such aspects. It's a lot about creating a new mindsets. The major difference in what management schools teach you and is what project management looks at is the output — a clearly defined outcome. Next |