Project Execution

Name: Project Execution
Author: Derrick Walters

Learn to efficiently execute a project.

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Course: On-Demand

Project execution is the project phase where the highest level of effort is expended by the project team. Let's discuss what's required to manage project work, the importance of project communication, and additional topics associated with change management. We will also go over risk strategies, procurement management, team building, what it takes to engage stakeholders, and agile project management. During a project's execution, a project manager must keep a firm handle on the triple constraints; scope, time, and cost, but a better starting point is the enhanced triple constraints. Let's look at how enhanced triple constraints provide a foundation for what a project manager can do to manage project work. The enhanced triple constraints include; scope, time, cost, quality, resources, risk, and customer satisfaction. In traditional predictive SDLC or waterfall project methodologies, it's a best practice for a project manager to minimize changes to scope during project execution as much as possible. Careful scope management requires creating a change management process that's holistic, consistent, definitive, and repeatable. Random uncontrolled elaboration of project scope, in other words, requesting initially unplanned work is something that the project manager should prevent from happening during project execution. One way to do that is to carefully review all change requests. Projects using agile or adaptive project methodologies aren't as rigid on scope changes, so the management technique used in other methodologies isn't applicable for these. When it comes to scheduling in the planning process group, activities are planned and scheduled using Microsoft Project or a similar scheduling tool. Once activities are scheduled, the project manager will baseline the project before entering its execution phase. They approve the schedule along with any other changes that occur after baselining is initiated and completed using a formal process called change control. Change control involves reviewing all changes, accepting or rejecting them, storing them in a change log, and either implementing them if approved or sending them back to the originator if rejected. Project managers are responsible for monitoring work to ensure that it's completed on time in accordance with the schedule. To accomplish this, the project manager may need to apply schedule compression techniques called crashing and fast-tracking. Schedule compression means shortening the projects duration, crashing means, adding resources, and fast-tracking means, starting two simultaneous tasks that were initially meant to be completed sequentially. Regular status meetings can also help to facilitate effective schedule management. Management of costs is the process of making sure that the amount of money allocated for the project is what's actually spent on the project. The project manager can make use of earned value, cost variance, and cost performance index to keep the project on track from a cost standpoint. Quality can be viewed from two perspectives. One judges quality based on documentation. Typically, there are quality the documents that explain how the project should be implemented. If not, there may be a project management office that provides policies, procedures, and templates that explain how a project should be managed. Then there's quality from a product perspective. The project manager must make sure that the resulting product is within the customer's specifications when the project is completed. There are four types of project related resources, equipment, material, people, and cost. The project managers should check that there is an adequate level of each during project execution and that they are all used economically and appropriately. Risk, by definition, is an uncertain event that can have a positive or negative impact on project objectives. Project managers must be wary of the risks identified in the planning process and know when they could potentially happen during project execution. It's generally a good idea for the project manager to understand how the customer feels about the projects progress. They should utilize the plans they identified in the planning process group while initiating, cultivating, and sustaining a positive relationship with the customer. One project manager goal, as it relates to the customer is to maintain an open and honest line of communication between the two of them. In addition to the enhanced triple constraints, there are several processes that are implemented in the executing process group, acquiring resources, developing the team, and managing the team. During project execution, you may need to acquire additional resources. If that's the case, the resources can be developed so that they can contribute to the project success but they must be managed effectively to ensure that they are adding value to the project. Conducting procurement is also an important process to consider in the execution process group. In the planning process group, the project team is recommended to identify the procurement activities for the project, which are then to be carried out in the execution process group through conducting procurement which involves outsourcing work to a third party.

Beginner Provider : Derrick Walters 8 Lessons · 34m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

This module discusses the work involved in a project’s execution or the phase in which the project’s team spends the most effort. The module will cover the processes that are necessary to make sure that projects are completed without major issues.

What You'll Learn

Apply schedule compression techniques, including crashing and fast-tracking
Manage project communications using various methods
Perform integrated change control during project execution
Identify the three major contract types in procurement management
Apply the agile project management methodology
Manage project work, risk strategies, team building, and stakeholder engagement

Key Takeaways

Project execution is the phase in which the project team spends the most effort.
The module covers the processes necessary to complete projects without major issues.
Schedule compression can be achieved through crashing and fast-tracking.
Procurement management addresses three major contract types.
Agile project management is presented as one of the methodologies for executing project work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this module cover?

It covers the work involved in a project's execution, including the processes necessary to complete projects without major issues. Topics include managing project work, communications, change management, risk strategies, procurement management, team building, managing stakeholder engagement, and agile project management.

What schedule compression techniques will I learn?

You will learn about schedule compression techniques, including crashing and fast-tracking.

Does this module address contracts and procurement?

Yes. The module covers procurement management and teaches the three major contract types.

Does this module cover agile?

Yes. One of the learning objectives is to learn about the agile project management methodology, and there is a dedicated lesson on Agile Project Management.

What is integrated change control in this module?

The module teaches what integrated change control involves as part of its coverage of change management during project execution.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Project Management Institute (PMI®)

Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.75

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