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Project Management 101: “What is Project Management?”
- Jim Cassidy
By: Andrew Leech
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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As a graduating senior from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, the last lecture that I thought I would be interested in at this year’s Project Management Challenge would be “Project Management 101: What is Project Management”. Yet, as I found myself listening to Jim Cassidy explain the
basics of Project Management, I became very interested. He dove right in by explaining some major terms, including the Project Management Institute, Project Management
Professional – PMP, and the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). Following this, Mr. Cassidy explained that in order to be a Project Manager, one must know that a project is defined as “a temporary endeavor to create a unique product or service.” He explained that a project has a finite end while the program that it is in will continue on. Mr. Cassidy went on saying that projects come and go, but you have to be able to roll with whatever is thrown at you.
One of the most important points that I was able to take away from the lecture was the open discussion that ensued when talking about leading people on your team. Knowing your management style increases your ability to relate to your team. There are three management styles to choose to
implement in your office: Autocratic, Participatory, and
Laissez-faire. But, knowing your management style is only the first step. Having the ability to adapt your style to the project at hand is what separates a good Project Manager from a great one. You may have people on your team who are very independent and do not need a manager to look over them at all times, while have other people who are the opposite and need more attention. This places you in a
situation where you need to best estimate what type of
management style best fits your project and your people.
Another great tip that I attained from Mr. Cassidy was to always sit down after a project and write-up a “Lessons Learned” report. This will not only help you as a Project Manager to learn from your mistakes but for others who may try to pick up the project later down the road.
On a final note, I would like to thank the people at NASA for allowing me to participate in this year’s Project Management Challenge and Mr. Jim Cassidy for teaching a student, who is used to taking Aerospace Engineering 400-level courses, a little thing or two in “Project Management 101: What is Project Management.”
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Curator:
NASA Official:
Last Updated: April 16, 2008 |
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