Factors for a Successful Software Implementation A successful software implementation requires careful and sound project planning. There are extensive opinions and research on the factors necessary for a successful project. The Project Management Institute defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources. (What is Project Management?, 2016) As such, a Project Manager is required to plan the allocation of the organization’s resources in an efficient and effective manner to meet the objectives of the project with a finite amount of resources (people, budget, and time). Successful projects share several common characteristics that give them a positive outcome and greater chance of meeting the project objectives (Jiang, 2016):
1. The project is supported by an Executive Sponsor.
2. A skilled Project Manager is assigned and given the appropriate authority.
3. A scope that meets the organization’s needs and realistic project expectations is clearly defined.
4. A great Project Team that has the skills and experience with both specific and broad competencies related to the project.
5. Appropriate resources are made available - which include sufficient time, budgetary funds, computer resources, available Vendor support, technical assets, and other items required for the project.
6. Continuous communications
At this point the scope of the project has been defined in detail and the project team are ready to be appointed. Although a Project Manager can be appointed at any stage of the project, s/he will need to be appointed prior to the establishment of the project team. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of project performance including: planning, budget execution, project execution, and close-out Funding.
The study of Project Management typically consists of learning the tasks and challenges fundamental to managing complex projects across multiple functions. This includes objective setting and project design; managing without influence to gain the support of stakeholders and access to resources not directly under their management control; planning, scheduling, budgeting and monitoring; and risk assessment and management.
An old adage-plan the work and work the plan, in essence this is the key to successful project management. Project Managers (PM) must first plan out the project and then monitor and control the execution of the program work. There is a tendency for projects to short change the planning process. This is a common mistake. The time spent properly planning will result in reduced cost and duration, and increased quality over the life of the project. Using tried and true best practices for a PM will provide assurance that the program /project will be beneficial and successful.
When looking at what a project manager’s role would be, it is easiest to look at practical examples. Some businesses have broken down their operations into sub-units or groups. Government contractors are very familiar with this practice. The term “Project” is a functional group gathering together to accomplish a
The allocation and cost of resources need to be carefully monitored if a project is to be delivered on-time and on-budget.
A project manager must be a skillful planner and can inspire his or her team to produce as needed. Per LaBrosse (2007), project management can be used throughout the organization to boost personal and collaborative productivity by building a standardized system that embeds best practices into the way projects are managed” (p.26).
Project Management is the art of arranging, sorting out, spurring, and controlling resources to attain specific objectives. A project is a brief endeavor intended to deliver a unique product, service, attempted to meet extraordinary objectives and goals, commonly to achieve helpful change or included quality.
Project management is defined by BusinessDictionary.com as, “Approach to management of work within the constraints of time, cost, and performance requirements.” Project management requires careful planning and studying all of the factors involved with in the project. Project Managers must first establish the needs of the stakeholders and provide a project plan which includes the cost and time frame the project will be completed. In addition, projects requirements should be clear and concise to ensure the Project Manager stays within
Project management provides reasonable scientific solutions in order to overcome difficulties and achieve success. Each project has a variety of objectives have to achieve, these objectives are vary and can be for organization objectives or for social objectives. However, the project objectives could face some obstacles could be lead to limited success. The attempt to discover the factors of project success and project failure was not easy task for both scholars and expertise. These definitions can provide a close understanding and explanation for these terms. Many project management literatures have variety definitions of project success. (Adinyira, 2012) pointed out that Pinto and Slevin (1988) defined the success as delivering projects on proper time, cost and quality. Others like westerveld, elizabith have different ideas regarding the success that are related to the judge of stakeholders and organizational management. However, nowadays success become more complex issue to determine, it is not only meeting the costs and time it is belonging to the typology and sector of the project
The completion of all phases can determine a project success. The success of a project includes the completion being completed within the allocated time period, within the budgeted cost. It must be completed at the proper performance/quality level with acceptance by the consumer. During this phases there should be minimum scope changes and no disturbance to the main work flow.
Want to see the project succeed, therefore all members must have a great leadership and personal skills, a positive attitude, and dependable.
I would also review the resources needed based on the project scope, if I need to add some additional resources as project moves.
Strategic plans are implemented primarily through projectse.g., a new product, a new information system, a new plant for a new product. The project manager is the key person responsible for completing the project on time, on budget, and within specifications so the project 's customer is satisfied. If the project is not linked to the strategic plan of the organization, resources devoted to the project are wasted and
A good project management plan takes some preparation it includes the basic concepts of proper planning, organization and great project manager management skills. It includes a variety of resources that come together to achieve a certain goal. As project manager it is imperative that he or she deliver the necessary results within the time limitation as well as within the allotted budget. Effective project managers allocate certain aspects of the project to their team in order to ensure the project’s success.
4.0 Discussion on execution of the three elements by Project Manager for the successful planning, resourcing and execution of a project.