1.2 Definition of Project Management

Project Management can be defined as the process by which a project is completed successfully; that is it:

		achieves its objectives,
		executed to schedule,
		within budget,
		to the specified quality and safety standards.

The Project Management Knowledge Areas

The following are the four main knowledge areas which need to be addressed in order to deliver a successful project:

		Managing scope: to clearly define and plan the objectives of the project.
		Managing time: to ensure the project is completed on time by planning and scheduling each activity involved in the project.
		Managing cost: to control the budget of the project by preparing cash flows.
		Managing quality: to deliver the project to the specified quality standards and manage it throughout the project.

1.2 Definition of Project Management

Other areas include:

			project human resources management,
			project communication management,
			project risk management,
			project procurement management and
			project integration management.

Many tools and techniques are available to the project manager and his/her team to assist in managing the project. Some of these tools and techniques will be presented next.

The Project Management Tools and Techniques

Depending on the complexity and the size of the project, the following tools and techniques can be used to manage the project:

For Scope management: Work breakdown structures and scope management plans.

1.2 Definition of Project Management

	For scheduling and time management: Gantt chart and critical path diagrams.
	For cost management: Net Present Value, return on investment, pay back analysis and financial software.
	For quality management: Six Sigma, Pareto diagrams, Fishbone and Ishikawa Diagrams.

Some of these tools and techniques will be discussed in details in later lessons.