Overview

Summary of Approach

Project Stages overview

Project Organisation

Project Control

Project Reporting

Key Company Procedures

Programme Management

FAQs

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Lindsay Sherwin

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Well perhaps not frequently asked but certainly occasionally asked. These are a set of questions that people have asked, mainly about applying the project management approach to their normal work situation. We have tried to give what we feel are "best practice" answers but cannot pretend that our answers are definitive.

• When can something be called a project? Must I call all tasks a project?
• Do all projects need a single project manager?
• Have you any tips for a project manager?
• Do all projects need a project sponsor?
• Have you any tips for a Project Sponsor?
• What should I do if I become project manager of a project that someone else has already started and left?
• Should I think of using Microsoft Project? Is there any other software that would help me to manage a project?
• What is PRINCE2?
• What is a GATEWAY - as in the OGC Gateway Process?

Should I think of using Microsoft Project? Is there any other software that would help me to manage a project?

Most projects do not need anything as sophisticated as Microsoft Project. This software is really designed for complex projects where the plans and schedules need to be regularly updated. It is best suited to IT and construction projects where the detailed activities for the whole project can be listed and estimated at the start of the project.

Our experience is that it is less suited to policy and organisational projects which often must progress on a stage by stage basis. We have included a brief outline of Microsoft Project under Guidance Helpnotes-Drawing Plans.

Regarding other software. We have included some guidance on how to draw planning charts in Word and Excel under Guidance Helpnotes-Drawing Plans. Also, for some projects Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes can be valuable where there are many contacts to manage.