Five Steps for Developing Your Project Management Structure

Here are selected highlights, including five steps for developing your project management structure, four keys to creating a sound budget estimate, and five tips for building the right team:

1. Projects should be unique undertakings. Like installing an entertainment center in your home, they should not be repeated frequently. If so, then there is a fundamental problem with your approach to project management.

2. Maturity tracking must be taken into account to evaluate a project's long-term benefits. Ask: "How will this project help us tomorrow?" This will allow your organization to pursue planned, not chaotic, growth.

3. All projects must have a quantifiable quality deliverable. If the predetermined, measurable goals are not met, the project cannot be considered complete.

4. Metrics, however, are not simply a project afterthought. Measurement of likely success is needed throughout the project-execution process, in addition to completion.

5. Projects are driven by competing constraints. These constraints include but are not limited to scope, quality, schedule, budget, resources and risk. Any one factor can impact the others. A strong project manager maintains firm oversight over all.