My Journey with the Free Mini PMP Course

Defining Key Terms:

At the outset, defining fundamental terms such as "project" and "project management" is imperative. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create unique products, services, or results, while project management is an application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to achieve project objectives. The objective of project management is to make the final deliverables in a finite time and budget.

1. Pre-Project Phase: What happens before the start of the project?

Before embarking on a project, thorough planning and preparation are essential. This phase entails defining project objectives, identifying key stakeholders, and allocating resources. Additionally, conducting comprehensive feasibility studies and risk assessments is crucial for gauging the project's viability and potential challenges. The culmination of these efforts lays the groundwork for subsequent actions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and facilitating informed decision-making.

2. Traditional Project Stages: What are the 5 stages of the traditional project and the most important steps in each stage?

The traditional approach to project management, exemplified by the Waterfall methodology (also called: Traditional, Classical, Predictive, Plan-Based, Linear, etc) delineates distinct phases to guide project progression. These phases encompass requirements, design, development, testing, and closing, each serving a specific purpose in facilitating project success.

3. Constraints of Projects: What are the constraints of any project?

Projects operate within a framework of constraints, famously represented by the Iron Triangle (Triple Constraints) of Scope (features and functionality), Cost (resources and budget), and Time (schedule).

• Scope refers to the inputs provided to take the project from the first step to the last step. It determines the features, boundaries, budget, and deadlines of the project.
• Cost refers to the process of estimating, allocating, and monitoring the funds needed in a project. There are actions taken now and then in the project to ensure that the project is on budget.
• Time is a plan for performing a specific work within a particular time interval and achieving the desired objective. It refers to the starting date, the finishing date, and the duration of the project.

Any alteration to one aspect necessitates adjustments in others, highlighting the interconnected nature of project parameters. Additionally, competing constraints such as quality, risk, and resource availability further influence project dynamics, requiring adept management.

4. Agile Integration in Traditional Projects: How is Agile applied in the middle of a traditional project and what do we call this type of project management (the prominent term in the field by 2025)?

As the landscape of project management evolves, Agile methodologies offer dynamic alternatives to traditional approaches. Embracing Agile principles within traditional projects through a Hybrid Project Management approach fosters adaptability and responsiveness to change, enhancing project outcomes in dynamic environments.

5. Appropriate Leadership Style: What is the appropriate Leadership Style for this type of project?

In Project Management, Servant Leadership is often favored for its focus on enhancing team skills, removing obstacles, and promoting project well-being. It emphasizes continuous improvement and smooth workflow, prioritizing the needs of team members. However, there is no universally best leadership style, as appropriateness depends on the project's nature and team dynamics. Situational leadership, where leaders adapt styles based on circumstances, is deemed most effective. This flexibility allows for the use of various styles, including Servant, Transactional, Autocratic (Authoritarian Leadership), or Delegative (Laissez-faire Leadership), as needed for project success. Embracing servant leadership fosters a collaborative environment where team members feel valued, supported, and motivated, contributing to project success.

6. Recommended Team Collaboration Methods: What are the top 3 recommended team collaboration methods?

The success of a project hinges on effective collaboration among team members. Three recommended collaboration methods include:

• Mobbing refers to a practice where the entire team works together simultaneously on a single task or issue.
• Pairing refers to a practice where two team members work closely together on a specific task or issue.
• Swarming refers to a practice where the entire team comes together to focus their efforts on a single priority or task until it is completed.

These methods encourage active collaboration, communication, and efficiency within the team.

7. Managing Project Risks: What do we do regarding risks that prevent the project from failing?

A cornerstone of project management excellence lies in proactive risk management. To achieve a success rate of over 80% for a project, it is crucial to embrace the CSR framework (Communication, Stakeholder, and Risk management). This framework empowers teams to anticipate and address potential threats effectively. Cultivating the four habits of the risk management process ensures project resilience and success.

These habits that teams need to develop are:

1. Identifying Risks refers to the process of systematically recognizing, documenting, and understanding potential risks (uncertain events or conditions) which can be negative (threats) or positive (opportunities) that could impact the successful outcome of a project.
2. Assessing Risks refers to the process of evaluating the potential impact and likelihood of each identified risk occurring.
3. Treating Risks refers to the process of developing and implementing strategies to address identified risks to minimize their potential impact on the project.
4. Monitoring and Reporting Risks refers to the ongoing process of tracking, evaluating, and communicating information about identified risks throughout the duration of a project.