introduction of project management

1. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Module 1
Introduction to
Project Management
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it
true. You may have to work for it, however.
-Richard Bach

2. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
A representative of a potential donor agency
contacts you expressing interest in visiting
your field projects.
What activities need
to be completed to
move forward?
Discussion Question
2

3. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Are we doing the right project? How do we do the project right?
• Do we want a relationship with
this donor?
• Do they finance activities in an
area of interest?
• Is soliciting funds a priority in
the work plan?
• What results might get from
this donor visit?
• Is there a clear plan (charter)?
• Is the scope clear? (goals,
objectives, activities)
• Is the trip well planned
(procurement, schedule,
resources, money)
• Are we in a position to
execute? (resource plan –
staff plan)
• Is the monitoring criteria
clear? What is a success
indicator?
Questions to Consider for New Projects

4. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
What is the
difference
between projects
and business as
usual (on-going
operations)?
Discussion Question
4

5. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
The discipline of planning, organizing,
and managing resources to bring about
the successful delivery of specific project
goals, outcomes, and outputs
What is a project?
5

6. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Program and Portfolio Management
6
Program Management Portfolio Management
The process of managing a
group of related projects in
a coordinated way to
obtain change, benefits
and control not available
from managing them
individually
Oversees the performance
of projects and programs
for the organization’s
overall strategic purposes
and not concerned with
day-to-day management

7. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Portfolios, Programs, and Projects
7
Portfolio
Sub-Portfolios Projects Programs
Programs Projects
Projects
Programs Projects
Projects Projects

8. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Value & Complexity Matrix
Value(sizeofbudget)
High
Low
Simple Complexity Complex

9. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
What percentage of private-sector projects do you
think would be evaluated as “successful,” according
to the definition below?
Successful = on time and on
budget, with all features and
functions initially specified
a. 76% - 100%
b. 51% - 75%
c. 26% - 50%
d. 0% - 24%
Yearly surveys by the
Standish Group show
that few projects are
completed successfully
(as defined)—generally
around 30%.
9

10. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
What percentage of private-sector projects do you
think would be evaluated as “successful,” according
to the definition below?
Successful = on time and on
budget, with all features and
functions initially specified
a. 76% - 100%
b. 51% - 75%
c. 26% - 50%
d. 0% - 24%
Yearly surveys by the
Standish Group show
that few projects are
completed successfully
(as defined)—generally
around 30%.
10

11. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Project Statistics

12. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Do NGOs working in the international
development sector do better or worse than
those who manage private sector projects?
What are some common reasons that NGO
projects fail and/or are challenged?
Discussion Questions
12

13. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
International NGO Example
In one well-known international NGO, over a one year period:
• 70 programs were overspent by more than 10%
• 235 projects were overspent by more than 10%
• The amount of project overspend was over £15 million
• At the end of the year, 89 projects had overdue milestones
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14. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Why Projects Fail

15. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
The Project Constraint Triangle

16. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Can you think of a project in which one
side of the triple constraint changed?
How did that change impact the other two sides?
Discussion Question

17. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
What project life cycles, phase models
or project management processes have
you used?
Discussion Question

18. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Project Life Cycle Examples
18
Food and
Agriculture
Organization
European
Union

19. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
PMD Pro Project Phase Model
19

20. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
What are some examples of decision gates in your
project (past or present)?
Discussion Question
20

21. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
In your experience, what are the most
important skills and competencies for a
successful NGO Project Manager?
Discussion Question

22. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Project Manager Competencies
Technical
Leadership/
Interpersonal
Personal/Self-
Management
Development-
Specific

23. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Development-Specific Competencies
 Understand the
development sector values
and paradigms
 Understand stakeholders
 Navigate complex
environments
 Work with partners
 Cope with pressures
 Exhibit cultural sensitivity
Development-
Specific

24. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Personal/Self-Management Competencies
 Organize your work
 Pay attention to detail
 Multi-task effectively
 Think logically and
analytically
 Practice self-discipline
 Manage your time
Personal/Self-
Management

25. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Leadership/Interpersonal Competencies
 Create, document, and
communicate the vision
Promote buy-in
 Provide feedback
 Facilitate a productive
team environment
 Communicate proactively
 Listen actively
 Motivate team members
Leadership/
Interpersonal

26. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Technical Competencies
 Manage scope
 Identify required activities
 Manage schedule
 Define and collect metrics
 Identify, manage, and
mitigate project risk
 Identify, track, manage,
and resolve issues
 Disseminate information
 Establish logistics systems
 Ensure quality of
deliverables
Technical

27. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
The 6 Project Management Disciplines
1. Scope Management
2. Time Management
3. Project Resource Management
4. Risk Management
5. Project Justification Management
6. Stakeholder Management

28. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Questions?
The value of a man resides in
what he gives and not in what
he is capable of receiving.
-Albert Einstein

29. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Challenge Questions (1 of 3)
• What is project management, particularly in the
development sector?
• What is the relationship between complexity and risk of
a project?
• What are a project manager’s responsibilities?
• What skills and competencies does a project manager
need?

30. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Challenge Questions (2 of 3)
• What are the phases and the sequence of the PMD
Phase Model?
• What is a decision gate and what are some examples?
• What are the characteristics of each of the six project
disciplines?
• What area tends to be a relative weakness of project
managers in the international development sector?

31. Last Mile Learning: PMD Pro1
Review of Challenge Questions 3 of 3
• What at the differences between project, program &
portfolio management?
• How are the six project disciplines applied through the
PMD Pro phase model
• What are the technical competencies of project
management?
• What is the purpose & meaning of the project constraint
triangle?