Over the years, managing safety projects has become more complex, having a wider breadth involving multiple disciplines. This fact requires that we become more proficient in the skill of project management - a critical skill for every safety professional. We must approach project management in a systematic manner that ensures repeatable successes across the variety of disciplines we encounter. To do this, it is important that we create a framework that enables us to deliver expertise to our organizations in an efficient and effective manner.
The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of the project management process and the importance of the role of a project manager in guiding a project team to achieve the project's goals. The objectives of the session are to provide participants with specific project management information on:
The project life cycle,
The project management process,
Working with project teams,
Project budgeting, and
Project planning tools.
The difficulties encountered by a Project Manager should be readily understood by the following job description:
As a project manager you have the responsibility of accomplishing that which has never been done before, by predicting the unknown, developing a plan, and then implementing the plan with people who do not report to you, using limited resources over which you have no control.
Have you ever felt this way? I have…
Managing projects is riskier than everyday management. The characteristics that make project management unique is that something must be done which may not have been done before. There are more specific expectations to be accomplished in a specific timeframe, with limited resources.
Others, who may have different priorities, are involved as the need arises. These individuals may have diverse backgrounds and functional loyalties. This requires the project manager to be a motivator, a coordinator, a leader, and an integrator.
Whether you work for a billion-dollar corporation or a one-person shop, sooner or later, you will find yourself in charge of a large project. The project may be extremely complex or relatively straightforward, but regardless, you will need to plan and manage it carefully in order to achieve high-quality results on time and within budget. If you have never managed a large project before, the prospects may be somewhat intimidating.
But the good news is that recently the field of Project Management has emerged as a distinct profession with a set of consolidated standards and practices that can be applied by anyone for virtually any kind of project.
The bad news is that it can take a lot of time to learn these standards and practices. And in today's downsized, competitive business environment, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to set aside your other responsibilities to dedicate time to learning about project management. That is why we created this session. We hope to provide you with a set of skills and tools to help you, as project managers, ask the right questions and do the right things to get the job done.
