Projects are a big part of almost every type of business. Most organizations break up different types of work into projects to help ensure they get done in the most efficient and economical way possible. A project is a set of tasks that is interconnected and designed to help achieve a specific goal. Projects should have a fixed end point in place. It could be an end date or a set of things that needs to be completed before the project is considered complete. In addition, projects can be done in groups or on an individual level, depending on the specific goals in mind.
Project Managers
Most facilities will have project managers who are dedicated to leading different projects through to completion. They will develop the steps, which need to be taken, get the resources together for the project, and help guide it until it has been finished. Depending on the nature of the project, a single project manager could run several different projects at the same time. This is because, in most cases, the project manager isn’t responsible for the actual work involved, but simply making sure the work gets done properly.
Projects managers typically break a project down into five steps which are:
- Initiation – This is the phase of the project where it is evaluated to see whether or not it should move forward. This step includes cost/benefit analysis and a variety of other steps to help understand how the project will be managed.
- Planning – If a project makes it through the initiation phase, it will be sent in for planning. This is where the project manager will set the goals, assemble the team, and create a detailed plan on how the project needs to be completed.
- Launch – The launch of the project is where the project manager will provide the responsibilities of each team involved and gather any required resources together. Everyone can then start working on their piece of the project.
- Monitoring – The actual completion of the work is done in this phase. The project manager will have to monitor the activity to make sure everything is going according to plan.
- Completion – The last phase of the project is where everything is completed and there is a final assessment of the project.
Project management is an essential part of all projects. Without someone to manage all the planning, and be responsible for ensuring each step goes smoothly, it can be difficult to have a successful project. Having a person assigned to each project provides a single point of contact for anyone who has a question or problem with how a particular project is going. It also provides the leadership necessary to complete projects well.
While it is possible to run projects without a project manager, it isn’t as easy as most people would think. Trying to get everyone working together without a strong leader who has the authority to direct; the project will typically end up with major problems. In most cases, a good project manager will reduce the amount of time a project takes, and improve the overall results of any given project.
Additional Resources
- Safety Committee– creativesafetysupply.com
- Project Management is Important for Continuous Improvement– kaizen-news.com
- Why Does Six Sigma Projects Often Fall Short of Expectations– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- Implementing and Using a Visual Management Board– aislemarking.com
- Lean Six Sigma Checklist for Success– lean-news.com
- Lean Manufacturing Implementation – The First 5 Steps– iecieeechallenge.org
- Applying Hoshin Kanri– 5snews.com
- Facility Maintenance– safetyblognews.com