A project is nothing without good organization. As a result, managers use several methods to manage projects while respecting budget, resources and deadlines with the collaboration of their team. To do this, they follow various project management methods. What is Project Management? What methods should be applied to establish projects and deploy them? What steps should be taken to manage a project well? How to manage your projects well when you are a manager or project director? How to train? We explain everything to you in detail.

How to define project management?

Project management, or project management, consists of organizing the progress of a project from A to Z, from its design phase to its final phase. To do this, it is necessary to define the objectives, the necessary human and material resources, the budget, the deadlines and the possible constraints.

What are the main stages of project management?

Managing projects cannot be improvised. Each project being totally different from another, there is no miracle method to succeed in a project. The most appropriate method should be selected for each project. However, some major steps are generally found from one project management technique to another:

• Design: we determine the objectives to be achieved by thinking about the constraints that could affect the smooth running (human resources, deadline, tools, budget, technology, etc.).
• Planning: is the project feasible? It’s time to plan it and determine its timeline (which milestones need to be reached and when?). The project is fleshed out during this stage: each stage is described, everyone’s roles are determined. Human resources are commissioned if the necessary skills are not present among the actors of the company (search for new employees, speakers, intervention of freelancers, etc.).
• Execution: once the roles and means have been defined, the action plan fixed beforehand is executed.
• Control: the manager works closely with his team to ensure that the planned schedule is respected. To do this, he can, for example, organize weekly meetings to take stock.
• Closing: we polish the last details and we finish the project.
• Assessment: the teams meet to evaluate the success of the project. What worked? What difficulties were encountered? What could be improved in the future?

What method to adopt for its project management?

Here are the different methodologies used by managers and professionals who need to manage a project. Note that each project manager manages the project for which he is responsible according to his skills, needs and preferred methods:

• The traditional method: called the cascade method. Each step is followed in chronological order. We do not move on to the next stage of the project without the previous one being completed. Everything is planned in advance, the schedule and the roles of each are meticulously defined. No room for the unexpected. This type of method cannot take into account the changing needs of a client or a context and does not tolerate any unforeseen events.
  The Agile method: the customer’s needs are placed at the heart of the projects. This flexible method consists of dividing a project into several small projects, so that the client can validate each step as it goes. The Agile method is a perfect way to ensure customer satisfaction and a minimum of returns at the end of the project.
• The PERT method: the PERT method consists of listing the tasks necessary for the success of a project and linking them together (chronology and dependence of the tasks on each other). We often use mind mapping for this. A start date and an end date are assigned to each task so that the end date of the project can be determined precisely.
• Lean management: all waste must be eliminated to achieve the best possible performance and satisfy the customer. This involves delivering high quality work while limiting time, cost and resources. This method allows you to achieve good results with tight deadlines, a small team or a meager budget.
• The Scrum approach: as with the Agile method, the client actively participates in the project. The team meets every day in a daily scrum (or sync meeting) to track the progress of the project. This method is based on several fundamental elements, namely defined roles, artifacts, events and rules.

There are many other project management methods, such as the PRINCE2 method or the critical path method. Note that the use of management tools is also essential for the success of a project. Each project or each method may require the use of different tools (management software, dashboards, project monitoring tool, diagrams, software for managing schedules and project actors, schedule of deliverables and other software for managing the project…).

How to train in project management?

Driving a project is learned: it is impossible to lead projects or manage a project portfolio overnight. Defining a project, following a project plan and controlling its smooth running requires acquiring specific skills. It is possible to train in project management by doing a master’s or an MBA (Master of Business Administration), a bac +5 diploma prepared in a business school. Adults who do not wish to resume long studies can also follow a short course for adults as part of a continuing education process. IPAG Business School’s project management training can be taken over a two-day period and gives access to a training certificate. It is an ideal training to develop your skills quickly by learning project management and project management.