Tell me about project management please

[Caligula]

What exactly is it? I'm trying to work out if my very basic project management skills are enough to apply for something.

Thanks

[CarlyP]

directing.overseeing.keeping to (and making)deadlines. working out the project plan. sometimes doing some of the practical tasks.

[Caligula]

So basically just drawing up a list of objectives, timelines, allocating responsibilities, reporting and measuring effectiveness?

[CarlyP]

YEP! of course this is all done across different people and departments and is harder than it sounds!

find out what software they use and if you have any knowledge of this. always helps.

Cx

[Mascaraohara]

What area is it in?

There will also be things like

managing the budget
collecting and analysing performance data
quality
people care
managing 3rd parties

[iota]

MOH - you forgot to mention Nagging

[cod]

i thnk its beign bossy
iw anted to be one for a week thenfoudn otu its a real job

[iota]

on a motre serious note : change control

[Nightynight]

There's quite a lot of estimating, eg how long will each job take, and how much will it cost (person hours, cost of equipment etc).

Also you have to be able to chair meetings effectively! Keep weekly project meetings to max 1/2 an hour, and keep minutes.
And do stuff like finding out whether each member of your team is behind or not, without getting their backs up.

[Caligula]

This all sounds quite manageable.

Famous last words

I've done quite a bit of this but not across departments. I know that's a completely different process, because no f*ker outside of your own dept ever wants to co-operate, do they?

[Mascaraohara]

iota - Change Control...

[CarlyP]

it helps to nod alot, make notes, and email with a suitably non-commital point later.

you have to find the 'angle' for the other depts/ it may not 'affect' them directly, but it may benefit them down the line.

[LeahE]

Planning as well as doing -- planning and controlling communications, relationships with clients and suppliers, scope, schedule, risks, managing your team, procurement, managing costs, and ensuring (buzzword alert!) Quality. Trick is doing them all at once...