Project Management Distance Learning
Project Management Distance Learning allows you to study your course in your own time. On a macro level organisations are motivated to implement project management techniques to ensure that their undertakings (small or major) are delivered on time, within the cost budget and to the stipulated quality.
On a micro level, project management combined with an appropriate information management system has the objectives of:
(a) reducing project overhead costs;
(b) customising the project workplace to fit the operational style of the project teams and respective team members;
(c) proactively informing the executive management strata of the strategic projects on a real-time basis;
(d) ensuring that project team members share accurate, meaningful and timely project documents; and
(e) ensuring that critical task deadlines are met. Whilst the motivation and objectives to apply project management in organisations is commendable, they do not assure project success.
Why Study Project Management
There is no doubt that organisations today face more aggressive competition than in the past and the business environment they operate in is a highly turbulent one. This scenario has increased the need for organisational accountability for the private and public sectors, leading to a greater focus and demand for operational effectiveness and efficiency.
Effectiveness and efficiency may be facilitated through the introduction of best practices that are able to optimise the management of organisational resources. It has been shown that operations and projects are dissimilar with each requiring different management techniques. Hence, in a project environment, project management can:
(a) support the achievement of project and organisational goals; and
(b) provide a greater assurance to stakeholders that resources are being managed effectively.
Many organizations today have a renewed interest in project management and its many benefits. Project management is used on all levels of the organization and is now seen as a valuable profession. Organizations have realized that project success relies on the knowledge, processes, skills, tools, and techniques that skilled project managers can bring to the project.
Project Management Institute (PMI)
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the governing body that issues project internationally recognized management certifications.
There are six different types of certifications that can be obtained after completing the required coursework, field experience, and passing the exam. These include the following:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
The successful completion of the PMP® examination will show employers that you are an internationally recognized project manager.
A project is a unique undertaking so the approach to managing projects must be different compared to normal operations. Projects are a temporary endeavors and have a clearly defined start and end date.
What is Project Management
So what is project management? The simple definition is the management of projects. However, project management is much more than a simple definition. A more useful definition in understanding project management is the application of knowledge, tools, skill, and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements.
As defined by the PMBOK Guide, there are five distinct processes that projects go through.
These include the following:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Executing
- Monitoring and Controlling
- Closing
During the Initiating Process, the need of the project is clearly defined. This is an important first step as the scope, budget, and timeframe will all be based on the need and expected outcome(s) of the project.
