Project managment overview and definition Projects are singular, but non-routine, events with precise objectives which

must be achieved within a set timeframe. Projects are broken into a set of activities designed to fulfil the stated objectives. Examples of projects include the building of a house, the holding of an event like a party or even something as simple as completing a school assignment. Project Management requires the organisation of people, equipment and procedures in an appropriate way to get a project completed within a set timeframe and budget. A Project Manager is responsible for the coordination of all these resources in order to achieve the project objectives. The following need to be considered when planning a project
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Purpose and aim of the project Resources available both human and material Costing, human and time constraints The tasks, procedures or activities required to complete the project

Project management techniques are used by organisations because they ensure that organisational objectives and system objectives are being met in a timely, accurate, relevant and complete manner. They provide a way of controlling people, resources and procedures, and clearly identify the tasks that must be completed and the desired completion time. Project Management History Project Management is not a new concept. Even in the time of the Ancient Egyptians a form of project management was needed to coordinate the construction of the great pyramids. Modern project management tools were, however, not developed until the early 1900s with the creation of the GANTT chart method. Further refinement in project management tools came about in the 1950s with the development of the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). These three tools form the basis for documenting and managing the progress of projects. All of these tools produce graphical representations of projects, and all current project management software includes these components.

Even before the time of the Pyramids humankind has had to devise plans for completing set projects.

Interviews with Project Managers Clarke Stevenson coordinated the development of a resource for international students at Monash

University. He answered some questions about his role as a Project Manager. The resource he created can be viewed at: http://www.monash.edu.au/intoff/. Vanessa Duis, 29, works as a Project Manager coordinating CD-ROM and Internet content. She works to extremely tight deadlines within a multimedia organization alongside a variety of developers, designers, film-makers, authors and editors. Read her comments about how Project Management techniques are used within the multimedia industry.