What is Project Management?

Project management is the process of planning, organizing, executing, and controlling resources (such as time, money, and people) to achieve specific goals and deliverables within a defined timeframe.

Key Aspects of Project Management:

1. Project: A temporary effort undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

2. Management: The coordination of activities to meet the project objectives.

   
   

🔑 Five Main Phases of Project Management (as defined by PMI - Project Management Institute):

1. Initiation – Define the project and get approval.

2. Planning – Establish the scope, goals, schedule, resources, and budget.

3. Execution – Carry out the project plan by assigning tasks and managing teams.

4. Monitoring & Controlling – Track progress and make adjustments to stay on course.

5. Closing – Finalize all activities, deliver the project, and evaluate results.

   
   

🎯 Common Goals of Project Management:

• Deliver projects on time, within budget, and according to scope.

• Manage risks and stakeholder expectations.

• Ensure quality of deliverables.

• Improve team collaboration and communication.

  
  

👤 Who is a Project Manager?

A Project Manager is the person responsible for leading the project team, making decisions, managing risks, and ensuring successful delivery.

Let’s walk through a real-world example of project management in the IT industry, specifically developing a mobile app. This is more of a traditional waterfall methodology.

📱 Example: Developing a Food Delivery Mobile App

1. Initiation Phase:

• Goal: Build a food delivery app similar to Zomato or Swiggy.

• Key Activities:

  • Identify stakeholders (founders, investors, restaurant partners).

  • Define high-level requirements (user login, browse restaurants, place order).

  • Conduct feasibility study.

  • Create a business case and get approval to proceed.

2. Planning Phase:

• Key Deliverables:

  • Scope: What features the app will include in version 1.0.

  • Timeline: Project will take 6 months.

  • Budget: ₹50 lakhs allocated.

  • Resources: Assign 1 project manager, 4 developers, 2 designers, 1 tester.

  • Risk Plan: Delays due to third-party APIs; build buffer time.

3. Execution Phase:

• What Happens:

  • Developers start coding frontend and backend.

  • Designers create UI/UX.

  • Project manager holds daily stand-up meetings.

  • Modules are integrated and continuously tested.

4. Monitoring & Controlling Phase:

• Tools Used: JIRA for tracking tasks; Google Sheets for budget.

• Activities:

  • Track progress vs timeline.

  • Adjust resources if delays occur.

  • Fix bugs or bottlenecks early.

  • Ensure quality through QA testing.

5. Closing Phase:

• Wrap-Up:

  • Final version of the app is delivered.

  • App is launched on Google Play and App Store.

  • Project review meeting held to learn lessons.

  • Resources are released to other projects.

📌 Final Outcome:

• A working, user-friendly app delivered on time and within budget.

• Feedback from early users is collected to plan version 2.0.

I hope this helps to understand the role and responsibilities of a Project Manager.