Project Management 101

I'm continually reminded of the importance of understanding how a large group of tasks are accomplished in unison and in synchronization with each other. This is what a typical project is, isn't it? However, one of the KEY success factors is PRIORITIZATION. And, prioritization can't be done without understanding: WHAT needs to be done, HOW will it be done, and WHEN it needs to be done.
According to classic, tried and true, project management techniques, this translates into SCOPE (what needs to be done), COST (how it will be done), and TIME (when it needs to be done). Time and again, we want everything done immediately at minimal cost. This departure from reality places our faith in the most unlikely places, doesn't it? Yet, I recently had another conversation that transcends the natural by assuming we can actually do everything yesterday with just one person.
Prioritization comes when we decide among these three project attributes which is flexible, somewhat flexible and INFLEXIBLE. For example, the Sunday morning service time is inflexible - it's going to be on Sunday morning. The cost (or how) of the event is somewhat flexible - we plan to have a pastor speak, but that pastor may be unavailable and require an alternate. The scope (or what) of the event is most flexible in the sense that if the first pastor is unavailable, a layman may need to lead a short devotion instead.
The point is: as we understand the priorities of a project, we can make the right decisions for the right reasons as we seek to deliver on the promises and expectations of the project - whatever it may be.

Comments

Eleanor Burne-Jones said…
What a useful blog! Read back a few entries, blessings.
March 30, 2008 at 10:53 PM
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