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Project Management Software
Developing Project Objectives
As
a project manager, one of the most important things that one can do is
to help create the project objectives. The objectives are what give the
project direction. Additionally, project objectives provide a measuring
stick as to the effectiveness of the project. When the project’s
objectives are met, then one can qualify the venture as a success. It
is an empirical way of keeping track of progress made and whether or
not what should have been done was actually done.
Developing
project objectives should be done during the initiating and planning
processes of the project management. During the initiating portion, the
objectives should be stated rather broadly, more of a definition of
what needs to be accomplished. During the planning stage, the
objectives are more narrowly defined, and become a part of the process
in actually determining how the project will be accomplished and what
steps are necessary.
While the project
manager should be in charge of stating the project objectives clearly
to team members, there is no reason why team members should not
participate in the development of objectives. It is true that most of
the team members are not chosen until the planning, or even the
executing, stage, but input from potential project team members or from
the few members already selected can help them feel a sense of
ownership in the project, and encourage them to take pride in the
process. And, of course, the project manager must listen to input from
superiors. In fact, her or his supervisors might have defined the broad
objectives during the initiating phase.
Project
objectives should be clear and concise. They should use as few words as
possible to succinctly communicate what the project is meant to
accomplish. If the objectives are muddled, or if it is difficult to
formulate them, that is a sign that maybe the project is not necessary.
Good objectives also show progress. It is not a detailed description of
each little task, but rather what one is shooting for at the end.
Smaller objectives, to help reach the larger objectives, can help the
task seem more manageable. The key, however, is to make sure that the
objectives guide the members to make measurable process, and that all
the members clearly understand what they should be doing to help the
team accomplish the objectives.
Project
management software can be helpful in keeping the objectives in mind,
as there is often space for the objectives to be listed. This way they
can be compared to the schedules and the budgets to ensure help the
project manager ensure that he or she is on track. Some
industry-specific project management software programs also come with
tools to help project managers develop the project objectives. However,
no software program can truly replace a human in determining what
really needs to be done, and how to do it.
By getting input from various stakeholders, as well as other project
team members, and by thoroughly understanding the aims of the project,
a project manager can put together a list of objectives that can guide
the project to a successful outcome.
Article by Remedysoft, Inc.
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