LS – ES (or LF – EF). The definition of a critical path is a sequence of assignments having a zero reserve.
Terms of reference is a transition from the planning (definition, drawing up a plan) to the implementation (organization, control, termination). As shown later, the terms of reference is the foundation for internal consistency of the project providing the basis for all administrative decisions. Let’s consider the terms of reference, paying focusing on its parts and their use as controls. The terms of reference of the project is to receive:
• A description of the challenge, the general approach to solve it and the expected benefits resulting from it;
• Full description of the project assignment, time and resources required;
• A detailed description is required for the administration to decide whether to proceed to the stages of the project;
• A dynamic tool for the project manager and the project team to be used for decision making throughout the project;
• Reference documentation for administrative control;
• A means to familiarize new members of the project team with the project and prepare for its implementation;
• A report for representatives of your organization who are not involved in the project directly, but should be aware of it.
An assignment is an obvious key document in the project. The terms of reference should be understandably written and used by the leadership, the project managers, the members of the project team, and other managers, as well as specialists who need this information. The terms of reference consists of:
• Project name;
• Project objectives;
• Project Manager;
• Project owner or stakeholders;
• Project team.
• Assignments consist of three subsections: the number, a short but meaningful title, and a description. It should contain specific statement activities to be carried out.
• Estimated start and termination dates;
• Project implementation schedule;
• Project estimate summarized at the assignment level;
• Metrics and criteria for achieving goals;
• Additional terms.
All projects involving financial aspects of profit may require a thorough assessment of the project impact on income and expenses, before the project is approved.
Schedule and progress is a chart indicating the start and finish dates and the planned duration for each work package. This schedule and progress is usually depicted as a Gantt chart and network graphs specifying the logical sequence of the execution of work packages. The planning process group includes the following processes:
• Developing a project management plan;
• Content management plan;
• Collecting requirements;
• Definition of content;
• Creating a hierarchical operational structure;
• Developing a schedule management plan;
• Definition of operations;
• Determining the sequence of operations;
• Evaluation of operational resource;
• Estimation of the operational duration;
• Scheduling;
• Developing a cost management plan;
• Estimating;
• Budgeting;
• Quality planning;
• Development of a human resources management plan;
• Communication planning;
• Risk management planning;
• Risk identification;
• Qualitative risk analysis;
• Quantitative risk analysis;
• Risk response planning;
• Procurement planning;
• Development of a stakeholder management plan.
Executing
This phase deals with the main project activities, i.e. writing the code, erecting the building etc. Following the developed plans leads to the previously defined content of the project, and the selected metrics are controlled. In the second part of this phase, the product is tested, it is checked for compliance with the customers and stakeholders’ requirements. During testing, the product deficiencies are identified and fixed.
This phase includes the allocation of responsibilities to carry out the assignments. Creating an effective group is both: an art and a science. To create an effective project team, one should consider not only the technical qualifications of the project manager and the members of the project team, but also their critical roles and interpersonal relationship. The selection of a project manager and team members will not be perfect – there is always a risk in any HR decision. The main goal when choosing a project manager is to appoint an experienced and competent person who is able to get the final result duly and meet the project requirements with the resources available. From this point of view, all the basic qualities of an effective project manager can be attributed to one of the following five categories:
• Education and experience;
• Leadership and strategic thinking;
• Technical competence;
• Ability to work with people;
• Proven managerial skills.
The choice of project team depends on the following factors:
• The objectives and goals of the project;
• The nature of the activities to be performed;
• the qualifications required for hiring, assigning, obtaining authority, control, communication and performing the required activities at each stage of the project;
• Availability of appropriate personnel in the organization where the project will be carried out.
It is important for the project manager and the members of the project team to know that the newly formed teams go through go through the five stages of team development which are:
• Forming stage takes place when the team first meets each other, breaks ice build relations.
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