As seen in the image above, the Triple Constraint is the framework for evaluating the competing demands of time, cost and scope. In any project these three constraints are interdependent with a shift in one affecting at least one other. For example, if a team decides to move a project’s finish date forward, the need to hire more staff to do so will increase the costs of the project. Alternatively, the project’s initial scope may also be decreased because of the elimination of several features and functions to ensure it is ready by the new deadline.
In this way, the triple constraint is very important because it sums up the essence of what project management actually is. In simple terms, the discipline of project management is the science of making intelligent tradeoffs between time, cost and scope, and all of these factors combine to make the final product’s quality.
Describe the Two Primary Diagrams Most Frequently Used in Project Planning
The two primary diagrams used most frequently in project planning are the;
- PERT Chart
- Gantt Chart
A PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) Chart is a graphical network model that outlines a project’s tasks and the relationship between them, In this way, the chart defines the dependency of project tasks before the project is completed, with arrows between boxes showing what needs to be done before the next stage can begin. Most importantly, the PERT chart also shows the project’s critical path. This path, often displayed in red, is the path from start to finish that passes through all the tasks that are critical to completing the project in the shortest time possible.
A Gantt Chart is a simple bar chart that depicts the project tasks against a calender, with tasks listed vertically along the y-axis and the project’s time frame horizontally on the x-axis. This type of chart not only represents the project schedule, but also allows managers to compare actual progress against the planned duration.
Identify the Three Primary Areas a Project Manager Must Focus on Managing to Ensure Success
In order to ensure success project managers must focus on the three primary areas of;
- People
- Communication
- Change
The task of managing people is perhaps the most crucial to any project manager’s success, with them being responsible for not only resolving conflicts within the team, but also balancing the needs of the project with the personal and professional needs of the workers, In saying this, the management of communication is also vital. By planning what and how they will communicate as a formal part of the project plan, the project manager can distribute timely, accurate and meaningful information to their team and better facilitate feedback between members. Additionally, successful organisations and people must also be able to anticipate and react to change. In the dynamic world of business, change is a fact of life and so, successful project managers ensure that there is a sufficient change management system in place to document and adapt to changes that may occur during the project.Outline 2 Reasons Why Projects Fail and Two Reasons Why Projects Succeed
Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions that an organization can make is in regards to which projects they should invest time, energy and resources into. When it comes to project management there are many factors that can determine whether a project to either fails or succeeds.
Two of the main reasons a project will fail revolves around a lack of executive sponsorship and failure to align the project with organisational objectives. Unless a project addresses the business’s strategic objectives it is likely to fail because it won’t have the support of the whole organisation. Similarly, although the Project Management Institute (PMI) defines an executive sponsor as the person or group who provides the project’s financial resources, they must do more than just review invoices and inquire into the status of the project. Unless the executive sponsor demonstrates a clear commitment and accountability to the project themselves, they cannot expect the rest of the team to show the same and the project will fail.
In the opposite way, an executive sponsor can also be one of the reasons a project succeeds. When they champion the project to others, sharing the vision and benefits of the completed job and use their influence to gain and direct essential resources, executive sponsors can help projects succeed. Similarly, good communication is also another reason why projects succeed. When there is clear communication both horizontally and vertically amongst the project manager and group, team members share objectives and are able to work towards common goals.
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