In brief, project management objectives are the successful development of the project’s procedures of initiation, planning, execution, regulation and closure as well as the guidance of the project team’s operations towards achieving all the agreed upon goals within the set scope, time, quality and budget standards.
Projects are temporary and, in a sense, unique endeavors. Temporary because they only happen once and have a specific duration and unique in that they are not routine enterprises, but a set of procedures intended to produce a singular product, outcome, service or result.
At the core of all projects lies the element of collaboration tools and communication, with all stakeholders, the clients, the project team, the organization or even the wider community. To this end, project management is where all processes meet, the central focal point from which all procedures derive, are specifically defined, scheduled and organized, following which they are communicated and assigned and subsequently followed up on and evaluated.
What are the objectives of project management, a closer look:
- The successful development and implementation of all project’s procedures. A project, regardless of its size, generally involves five distinctive project life cycle phases of equal importance: Initiation, Planning and Design, Construction and Execution, Monitoring and Control, Completion. The smooth and uninterrupted development and execution of all the above phases ensures the success of a project.
- Productive guidance, efficient communication and apt supervision of the project’s team. Always keep in mind that the success or failure of a project is highly dependent on teamwork, thus, the key to success is always in project collaboration. To this end, the establishment of good communication is of major importance. On one hand, information needs to be articulated in a clear, unambiguous and complete way, so everything is comprehended fully by everyone and on the other hand, is the ability to be able listen and receive constructive feedback.
- The achievement of the project’s main goal within the given constraints. The most important project constraints are, Scope in that the main goal of the project is completed within the estimated Time, while being of the expected Quality and within the estimated Budget. Staying within the agreed limitations always feeds back into the measurement of a project’s performance and success.
- Optimization of the allocated necessary inputs and their application to meeting the project’s pre-defined objectives, is a matter where is always space for improvement. All processes and procedures can be reformed and upgraded to enhance the sustainability of a project and to lead the team through the strategic change process.
- Production of a complete project which follows the client’s exclusive needs and objectives. This might mean that you need to shape and reform the client’s vision or to negotiate with them as regards the project’s objectives, to modify them into feasible goals. Once the client’s aims are clearly defined they usually impact on all decisions made by the project’s stakeholders. Meeting the client’s expectations and keeping them happy not only leads to a successful collaboration which might help to eliminate surprises during project execution, but also ensures the sustainability of your professional status in the future.
Project management is a flourishing field that keeps growing in knowledge and interest at a considerable rate. Understanding project management objectives in-depth is the first step to success, as you will fully realize what it takes to be efficient, effective and competitive in a shifting, complex and at times unpredictable environment. Due to the nature of project management, which differs from typical management by the innovative, unique and multidisciplinary character of most projects, it is generally agreed that it requires its own tools and techniques. Keep in mind that these tools and techniques do not apply to all projects, so make sure you choose wisely and adjust accordingly.
