Project Management Training: New Paradigms
Any task which has a fixed beginning and a definite end is termed as a project. In today's world, most work is based on project methodology. Therefore, it is imperative that we develop an understanding of projects and the management tools and techniques used in order to meet the project objectives. Project Management training goes beyond the realms of training restricted to water-tight compartments of technology, management etc. Projects may involve all these fields and project management training must therefore include training across the domains.
Taking the case of a software development project. Only after a proper explanation is provided will the project be initiated. For this to occur, there must be a legitimate requirement for the outcome being desired to be project result. Planning for the project begins with understanding the requirements. The business analyst handling that client/relationship sets forth the requirements in a software development project. Using cases, the requirements necessitate to be tested. A variety of requirements analysis software is obtainable in the market. Once the requirements have been determined and documented appropriately, the next stage of project management begins.
Project completion requires resources and these resources carry a price tag as well. A project which takes out maximum value at minimum cost is considered as a good project. Project Managers use time allocation and management techniques to manage these resources. One way of doing this is through use of project management templates. Such templates often come along with worksheet software applications or are developed separately using these software tools. Hence, a good project management training must include training sessions on worksheet software tools for effective project management.
All projects involve two-way communication throughout the entire process of the project. Feedback loop is plays a very important part to project managers to understand the present status of project. This state of the project affects the future project plan. Hence in every project management training, hands on use of communication tools used by that project must be included and this will reap huge rewards as communication training goes beyond mail software training and one must stress the importance of timely checks throughout the cycle of the project.
Effective resource management involves proper allocation of right reosurces capable of doing tasks in a coherent manner in order that the project objectives are met. Human capital impacts Project cost directly or indirectly. Hence training in project management must include sessions on human organizational behavior, costing and human resource management. Such training must also include sessions on quality, value engineering and theory of constraints. The purpose of these theories are not just for educational purpose, but also for imbibing them as a practical guidelines for achieving the project goals. Therefore project management training must include tasks which involve application of the important learnings from the sessions.
More recently,trainers have started using specially designed computer games, in order to illustrate the project management concepts.These games involve the learner and at the same time ,make him use exclusively ,the project management technologies and its concepts.Such game based training is desired to have a quantifiable effect to a certain extent,using course assessments.The training should not only cover the traditional project management techniques but also try to involve the user to perform functions,using the project management technologies himself.
Project management training helps in understanding of project management tools and techniques. Planning a software development project requires understanding the requirements, before the next stage. Project Managers use time project management templates for allocation and management techniques to manage resources. Feedback is essential for managers to understand the projects current status, as the future planning depends on it. Projects also involve humans, due to which project training must include sessions on human behavior and other operational aspects. Some trainers have started illustrating project management concepts by using specially designed computer games. These games have the involvement of the learner, by having him perform tasks using the project management technology.
Published May 16th, 2007
Filed in Technology
