project management log

Projects across organizations can be best termed as an army operation and a project manager the commander in charge of the operation. As the project commander he guides the projects, giving directions while setting the goals for success. A project often faces some pitfalls which can well be avoided by right goal setting. Its not some kind of rocket science that involves steering clear of project pitfalls but only application of effective measures. With measures in place a project can easily identify killer mistakes that one needs to avoid. For a project manager this is like arming himself with the right ammunition to ward of project enemies.

The foremost mistake committed in a project is lack of goals set beforehand before embarking on the implementation of the project. Most of the times each effort is put into satisfying customers by hook or crook and at times even ignoring the basic project principles. Customer satisfaction though is an important aspect of any project and final goal of a project but should involve a lot of planning and setting up of goals leading to a project success. And important question which arises how realistic are the goals of a project and the ways to achieve them. Just the starting of a project is itself a goal but all goals should be strategically aligned to the organization and the project.

Before the project go ahead any project manager should delve into the project goals and involve strategic planning before he kicks off the project. The project pitfalls can be best avoided with rigorous planning phase which counters all risks involved. As the commander of a project it becomes the sole responsibility of a project manager to shoulder the responsibility to take the project heads on and take it to the finish line. A PMP certified project leader clearly shows a better understanding of project knowledge and traits of an efficient manager. This is one of the reasons why project management training has emerged as the key. Its not only the project managers to stand to gain from project management training but anyone involved with projects at any level certainly outshines in his performance.

Attaining a PMP certification is a tough task master requiring a lot of preparation and continuous involvement. In India, AstroWix is one name to count for project management training. It is the registered education provider of Project Management Institute, USA. With over a decade long experience in this field it is a very popular name among project professionals. Moreover, it caters to all industry segments and with its introduction of online PMP certification preparation courses, it is now accessible more readily. Its PMP trainings are spread over various cities of India, with special trainings being conducted for cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc.

To know more about PMP® certification preparation, Project Management Training Visit www.astrowix.com

Every year there are countless projects which hit the rock bottom for reasons that are not new but often are the result of old mistakes getting repeated. Theres a saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail? and this just fits for all the failed projects. As a consequence most often project managers have to carry the burden on their heads of all the failed projects. Though a project manager is usually responsible for the success or the failure of the project but its not possible without the right support from the team and also the management.

As the full accountability of the project is on a project manager, the project plan plays a significant part in the path for a successful project. Often a single question is discussed as what is it that a project manager should possess to be successful. It sounds as if a certain recipe is being asked but as such there is none. It is the combination of certain ingredients of which experience is important but formal training and PMP certification has started gaining ground. PMP certification has emerged as a support for project professionals lending them with additional power. In fact it is striking the right balance between project experience, project tools and project management training.

A project manager usually wears several hats, which he regularly shuffles to handle the project. As projects get bigger, it demands a leader which not only controls the project tasks but also drives his team because it is the support and efforts of the whole team in unison that succeeds at the end of the day. Training and certification for no reason have become popular and moreover an essential as it prepares professionals to learn to take up project challenges. PMP certification from PMI, USA is one such reputed certification and an increasing number of professionals have benefitted from it.

Admittedly certifications and trainings are measure of ones competency is a fact and most of all a visible and tangible measure. Being a PMP certified shows that the professional has met certain requirements and can be entrusted with specific skills and knowledge. Attaining a certification requires project practitioners to undergo rigorous trainings and go for specific Project management training. In India, AstroWix is one name to count for project management training. It is the registered education provider of Project Management Institute, USA and has for over a decade providing training for PMP certification across major Indian cities.

To know more about PMP Certification, Project Management Training visit: - www.astrowix.com

Studies reveal an insight into some grave project pitfalls. And one such problem which commonly comes under scanner is why some projects proceed without a hitch while others flounder. The reasons abound but one reason could be the in the basic planning and direction of projects. While some projects close with success it is observed that with the best of resources some projects cannot make it to the finish mark. A close analysis amounts that these projects lack the basic project planning and often the team leadership. Here comes in the role of a project manager who can drive the project and the team towards a successful project.

No matter how experienced a professional is, there are times when he would face uphill tasks of controlling and managing projects which can go beyond his bounds. One such case is when his team members are not trained and do not have basic knowledge or project skills. Project management training certainly adds value to organizations by enhancing the knowledge base of project practitioners. Several studies suggest that after employing project management training across organizations about 60% to 91% of them have shown marked improvement of their employee efficiency and productivity. And employees with a PMP Certification helped not only assisted in their on-job performance but also enhanced their skills and knowledge base.

Now when Project management brings in a lot more value to organizations, the big step is to convince the management to agree to project management training. This task becomes more daunting in the tough economic times as this process would require cost overheads, which one will have to justify. Again the project managers role will come and it is his task to do the convincing for a go ahead for Project Management training. For PMP certification India, AstroWix is a trusted name with a rich experience of 10 years of training professionals from across all industries. PMP certification preparation requires professionals to undergo rigorous preparation and training. From PMP aspirants to organizations seeking to get their PMP certification preparation, AstroWix offers attractive training services for managers to get trained. Through its hands-on acquaintance on absolute projects, structured advance actual delivered through an alternation of seminars and workshops, it trains professionals on Project Management concepts and fundamentals, applying the results-oriented approach. Moreover, AstroWix provides customized trainings to organizations and also different modes of learning.

To know more about Project Management Training , PMP Certification India Visit: - www.astrowix.com

Before establishing a formal business relationship, wise IT project managers protect their business interests with appropriate legal contracts.

During the initial stages of project development, IT professionals often rely on informal records based on e-mails sent back and forth with the client. While e-mail does provide a record of communication between you and your customer, legally, it cant stand in for a signed project agreement that clearly outlines the scope and expectations of a project.

As part of a good project risk management strategy, its especially important to have a consulting contract or project agreement in place before any money changes hands.

A Project Agreement Is the Foundation of Project Risk Management

Having a signed IT project management agreement before you begin an engagement can reduce or eliminate complications that could spring up during your project.

Solid project agreements or contracts are a critical first step in project management, as well as a vital part of your project risk management plan to protect your business. Defining all project elements early and in writing may help prevent legal trouble down the line, saving you thousands of dollars in legal costs and countless hours in a courtroom.

A sound project contract also helps to ensure that you receive the compensation that you and your client have agreed upon. Too often, a project is well under way when a client suddenly decides not to pay, tries to lower the price of the job, or changes project terms. If any of these things happen and your interactions with your client are not governed by a contract, you could lose a lot of time and money, and your good relationship with your client could quickly go south.

Consulting Contracts for IT Project Managers

In general, consulting contracts spell out each partys responsibilities, as well as:

Compensation

Expenses

Terms

Confidentiality

Project reporting

Termination rules

For tech project managers, a consulting services agreement typically spells out the work you are to do and defines the terms of your working arrangement with the client. It lays out the limits of your responsibilities to the client, as well as the terms for your pricing and payment.

A consulting agreement also protects your intellectual property rights and establishes confidentiality standards that protect both you and your client. It limits any losses for the work you perform and prevents your client from hiring away your key employees. This type of project agreement also limits your liabilities should your client suffer any losses as a result of errors or omissions on your part.

In addition to the main consulting agreement, depending on the job, project managers may need other, additional contracts. These agreements might include employment, network installation and maintenance, staffing and placement, or subcontractor and independent contractor agreements.

Subcontractor or independent contractor agreements are particularly important because they govern the relationship between you and any subcontractors you may hire to work on a project. Such contracts clearly outline who owns licenses and intellectual property, and prohibit your subcontractor from stealing your clients business or from being hired away from you by the client.

Jim Cochran is the President of TechInsurance, a company providing risk management solutions for IT project managers. By providing specialized errors and omissions insurance for IT project managers, TechInsurance allows individuals and agencies to provide consulting services.