Running Header: so this is project management in a nutshell 1

So this is project management in a nutshell

Project Management Final Paper
By Arturo Gomez Huerta
Class PM-140
Professor Brother Hansen
So this is Project management 2

Abstract
Walt Disney once said “of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating the talents of

those who work for us and pointing them toward a certain goal.” Just like Walt I have also learn

what it means to be a project manager and the responsibilities that goes with that as well as

the five Process of project management known as; Initiation , Planning, monitor & Control,

Execution , closing. Within these processes we will be able to see the 11 knowledge areas

Project integration management, project scope, project time management, project cost

management, project quality management, project quality management , project human

Resources, project communications management, project risk management , project

procurement management, project stakeholder management. With In each of the knowledge

area there is usually a part where it goes in correlation to the 5 process and I shall tell that give

a little explanation of it

As I introduce each one of these categories and explain how I have used it I will also

explain personally how they have impacted my life and how I can apply them and learn from

them in the future. Following it will be a conclusion where it will give you a challenge and

summaries version of everything I have talked about including all the references and the

appendix with all the documents that I have used in this class so I can used them for the future.
So this is Project management 3

PROCESSES

 Initiation

Beginnings something with starting something, whether it be new or something that we

had previous experience with. I think it’s always a little hard to find that drive, that
motivation to start a lot of times, we do it out of duty and out of necessity but I think
the best project start when we want to do them just out of our own free will I mean
don’t get me wrong getting pay is really nice to get pay and I am not saying you should
not seek out that but that it should not be your main priority specially when starting or
initiating a project, it is always amazing when you start something the right way, with a
good attitude and with an amazing drive, reflecting back on the days where I had the
most energy and the most drive is because I was joyous that this day was coming more
than anything I was happy that to start and the rest of the day went smoothly land
obviously not perfect but it sure was a memorable day. So good you got an idea, a
goal, a dream a project but do you think if you sit around fantasizing about that it will
just all the sudden land on our lap without having to do any effort, in your part well you
are wrong !!! With this thought it leads us to the next part of our processes in project
management.

 Planning

If anything else I have learn in this class that there is a lot, and I mean a ton of planning
that goes into project management, or the project itself, I would even go a little further
to say that planning and preparing is like 75-80% of what having a project is all about
specially been a project manager there is so much you got to do and to be involve
before you can even get down to the actually doing stuff part of the project , and in all
honestly I totally feel like that is something I really need it specially because I always
struggle with planning , I am a more do and then latter think which in occasions that is
okay but other places like everything it has its down sides, for example plans don’t
always go as plan and well if you didn’t plan anything you are not going to know what to
do because there really wasn’t any plan but also you wouldn’t even be able to come up
with a backup plan because there wasn’t any plan to start, I mean don’t get me wrong
the way of acting first and think latter is totally fun, you can get results and it makes for
great way to have stories and specially amazing entertainment point. But also like
William Dudley said “too much of a good thing can be bad”, what I meant by that is that
if you spend again all your time making these crazy plans, fill out paper work, charts and
So this is Project management 4

schedule, budgeting, etc. so how do you find the perfect combination of both initiating
(having a vision) and Planning ? well like the stairs that rocky balboa has to climb in his
personal training, Project management is just like that it is build one step by step and
you cannot take the next step if you haven’t finish the step before if you do “jump a
step” the chances of you project actually turning out successfully will be a lot less than if
you do all the steps that is required and so what is the next step you ask?

 Executing

Lights, Camera ACTION!!! Or in this case Initiate, Plan, EXECUTE!!! Much like in a movie
after the idea and script is written, after the camera’s and lights are set up then the real
magic happens, it has been said that the acting is what gives magic to the whole movie
over, I mean you will need the special effects, sounds, sets and everything else but the
physical acting is the heart of the project. If you are A.D.D. like me has a hard time
standing still and always has to be doing something productive or that you enjoy with
your hands. Then you love this part of project management, the executing part is where
you get the ball rolling and people are working in the project. All those hours of
dreaming, planning and preparation are actually going to pay off and you will be able to
see the result of that. It is exiting where ever you plant something and you see the first
little plant just sprout! You just go crazy and can’t wait to keep going. In this part you
start to see progress, things are been built or organized and you just feel like everything
is going all right. But what if.. I mean heaven forbid, what if one day you come to your
construction site of a new building and you have found out that one of the big
machinery broke down and it’s going to take weeks to get it fix!, What if you walk in to
the bakery that you own and the oven has broken down and you have about 10
wedding cakes you got to deliver and not as much food in stock, or what if your run out
of lemons in you brand new lemonade stand and the school that you are standing in
front of is about to get out in 30 minutes and you know that there are some loyal kids
that have been waiting until the end of the day to go get a glass of your famous
lemonade! What do you do then do you panic and jump ship or do you go and take the
next step of project management.

 Monitor and Control

So wait don’t jump ship just yet there is still hope! There is something that can totally
help you in times when things look like they are going to fall apart and that the logical
answered at that point is to just give up. It is a two part way to this process first is
Monitoring. Monitoring is just every day by day you have to be looking out for
possible risk it is making sure that things are been done the way we had previously said
in the plan we made earlier in the process not only that you see if there is anything that
could possibly go wrong and before it does you can make a plan to act accordingly so
that the project can run more smoothly, this can be done either at the beginning of the
project or as you come and detect problems before they actually happen. Not only does
So this is Project management 5

this benefit yourself but everyone else that is participating in this project, because
maybe one part of the project that is failing cannot go on without another part of the
project to be completed first and if that part of the project is in critical stage where lots
of things are going wrong and we have to spend time looking for a solution instead of
already having one laid out before us then we would be in serious trouble with the
sponsors as well as management and other people that are expecting the project to be
done by a certain time period. The other part to this process is call Control, much
like monitor control is also checking up on things making sure that everything is running
smoothly, something to think about with these two process is that a lot of reports and
forms are involve in this process, a progress report on how the team and the part of the
project is doing this could be once a month or weekly however the project manager
feels like it’s appropriated. Having an inventory list, time schedules, change control
plans etc. There always has to be a way to check for progress and process, and it is
better if it written because let’s be honest we as humans tend to forget a lot of thing
specially the very details of things and so if we write it down somewhere then we will be
set. Well this is awesome we can control and monitor the project fix a problem if it
does come up, but well even thought this is fun and all we are trying to get to a goal.
Also I do want to move on to other things in my life, which leads us to the final process.

 Closing

So you’re in a concert and everything is going great the band is been playing for 8 hours
the excitement is going off the roof, a couple of people try to go on stage but they had
security guys stopping them, everything is going awesome, and all the sudden the band
just drops everything stops playing whatever song they are playing and then they
leave…. Kill the moment, leaving the rest of the audience just really confuse and
wondering if this was a part of the show and leaving them with a feeling of emptiness,
everyone saying “what happen to the Big finally ? The last song? Taking this concert
analogy to the terms of Project management every project needs a begging and an
Ending. Closing consist making sure every part of the project is done meaning finish and
good to go so that when we have to transition ate the project to another person we can
do it with easiness and no problem. This is where you basically present the finish
product and the board agrees with what you have deliver is what was written and
agreed upon the first time. There should be a smooth transition from the person that
has work on the project and the team and the people who are going to used it full time.
Also prices had to been agreed upon before it was starting but here in this part is where
really money is discuss just because it is done and maybe it was said that they need it a
little more than what they ask for and so they had that recorded and they said that they
were going to agree upon it in the final part of the project. Last but not least here it is
where you and the whole team does some sort of celebration or finally, to thank
everyone that worked so hard for this project to come alive and that they are really put
their hearts and souls into it. Not only that but it lets them know that we appreciate
them ant that they really did their best for this project. Some of the celebrations or
So this is Project management 6

recognitions can be, trips to somewhere, gifts or discounts, parties, lunches, dinners,
even raises or bonuses. So finally we got the project done deliver and finish so as
we can see here the process are not that hard but within each process there is
knowledge areas, specific things or material that you got to implement, most of these
are templates and things that just facilitate you in a way the process of project
management.

KNOWLEDGE AREAS

 Project Integration Management

So in this knowledge area you initiated with developing a project charter, which is basically
a document that says that a project is going to happen and lets the project manager know
with the written prove that he can start to work. Without a signature consent then you can
get into some legal problems! And you don’t want to start that way in a project.
Planning process of this knowledge area is Develop a project management plan this is
what is going to help you know your way around as you both execute the project and
control it! Executing this part is just direct and manage project work, make sure you
let them know who the leader is and a good leader always listens and helps out everyone.
Monitoring and controlling is all about well monitoring and controlling the work done in
the project as well as integrated change control and lastly closings in this knowledge
area consist of just closing the phase of the project.
 Project Scope
The scope really is where you document a list of goals and deliverables, task and cost as
well as deathliness very important this you talk with the sponsors as well than the other
major manager involve with the each individual part of the project. Some of the things
include a Scope management plan, a collect requirements part, defining the scope and
creating a WBS (Work Break down Structure). Make sure everything is validated and
control.
 Project Time management
It has always been said that the most important resource that we will never get back is
Time, everything is measured and revolves around time it is the one thing that we cannot
make more or buy it just is what it is. Some of the things that go into this knowledge area
are: Plan Schedule management, Define Activities, Put activities in right order, Estimate
activity resources, Estimate activity durations and develop a control schedule.
 Project Cost Management
I don’t mean to sound like Mr. Crabs but money, money, money!! A lot of things we do for
money I mean it is critical to our essential living and same with our project an inflow of
So this is Project management 7

resources and outflow is what needs to happen to keep the project in good stead condition.
Some of the things that go in this area are: Plan cost management, Estimate costs,
Determine Budget, and Control cost.
 Project Quality Management
Yeah guess what the phrase “Quality is better than Quantity” so we certainly want to do it
as fast as we can and If there is a certain quantity involve with it as much as we can as well
but none of that will eventually matter because if its crappy quality they will just tell us to
redo it or asking for their money back and we will for sure get a bad reputation. In this area
a Management Quality plan is need it, as well as a preform Quality assurance and a control
Quality.
 Project Human Resource Management
Have you ever looked over at the pyramid of Egypt, the Great Wall of China or ancient
Temples? Pretty huge monuments right? I meant some of them have stand the test of time
and against all odds of nature we can still see them. But you know what is even crazier that
all those historical monuments where build by people, I mean yeah a lot of them where
force into it and had no other choice but think about it! Without all of that Man power
those things will have never been built! So beside the point that humans are fascinating
they are a vital resource for our projects. Something to take into consideration as we are
going with this area are: Human Resource Management Plan, Acquire Project team,
Develop Project Team and Manage Project Team.
 Project Communications Management
Charades is a fun game I mean trying to figure out what the other people are trying to say
with only using hand motions and mumbling, but can you imagine doing that for a whole
project sure it would be entertaining but a lot of things would not get the way they were
supposed to, and just like in charades people will be so frustrating with each other. Moral of
the story Communication is a vital part of Managing a Project and carrying it out. To be
more effective make sure you got a Communication Management Plan as well as you
control and manage the communication.
 Project Risk Management
We do live in a fallen world were risk and dangers are everywhere. The risk of asking that
girl you like in class, the danger of losing your job, the risk of falling from the top bunk of the
bed. I mean these are real risk and it could happen to anyone at any time. It doesn’t
necessary have to do with the years of experience you have or positions you are in there are
other factors that we don’t necessary have control over so we have to think about these
things make an arrangement to prevent them the most we can and be prepared for the
worst something that we have to do when dealing with risk are these: Management Risk
Plan, Identify risks, preform Qualitative risk analysis, preform quantitative risk analysis, Plan
risk responses and control risks.
So this is Project management 8

 Project Procurement Management

Procurement is probably one of the newest concepts that I had to spin my head around in
the PMBOK it defines it as “the processes necessary to purchase or acquire the products,
services or results needed from outside the project team” So her you have to be looking at
outside sources and channels, beneficiates and just the prices or things that you on your
own can not get. Something that you got to take into consideration as you go into this area
are the following: Procurement Management Plan, Conduct Procurements, Control
Procurements, and Close Procurements.
 Project Stakeholder Management
This area we did not talk about as much but it is center in the stakeholders the things that
you have to do are identify the stakeholders, Make a stakeholder management plan to see
where they fit in with the rest of you project and identify their role towards this project,
next is having the stakeholders engage in your project and you engage in them as much as
you can, and of course always try to control stakeholders engagement. Remember they may
not be always there to see every day by day things but they are as much part of your project
as any other member especially because they are giving their resources and things to help
you with your project.
 Closing/handing over the project
Again!? Well yes again not because this also involve in closing all the 11 knowledge areas
and like the process it is very similar but as well as closing you got to make sure you hand or
present the project to the people that wanted it so you have to create a closing
management plan, and close the project this involve the celebration and the other things
we already talked about earlier.
PERSONAL APPLICATION
So learning this things have been very nice and it has certainly expanded my knowledge
and I learn a lot about project management but what good is that knowledge if I don’t apply it
in my every day to day life? There are at least 3 parts of my life that I can think to apply it in my
Spiritual, Professional and Personal life. First professional Life this is the easiest to think of
and even to apply to after this semester I am considering of a project manager career and I was
thinking that my mayor business manager goes along with that, I obviously want to start and
have my own business at one point I know that starting up a business in itself is a really big
project and these skills that I have learn here in PM-140 Class have benefit me tremendously I
know that over my career and professional life specially as a manager of some sort I will have
many projects that I will be in charge of so because of that I will try to do my best to learn these
principles and remember them, if not everything for sure the basics of them. Second is my
personal life this is an area where I know it is a little more difficult to apply but I feel like if I try
to see every day of my life as a project one day at the time then it is applicable, as well as
looking over my goals and my personal progressions that is totally a project just because usually
those things will have a beginning and a closing. Another personal application for the things I
So this is Project management 9

have learn more than anything is that I learn how to plan more and honestly that has been
something I lack a little but as I try to get better and keep on going I will be able to be an more
effective planner. Last but not least is the spiritual side of the personal application, and
honestly with that I think it’s a lot of things, it certainly is a project of trying to be like the savior
every day but within each of our own personal callings and our own personal growth in this
track that we call mortality there are a lot of projects that the lord has set us apart to do some
of those are , Family history, Temple attendance, Learning and reading scriptures helping other
come closer to Christ as you become closer to Christ everything is a project but honestly I think
if I need to take anything from this is that no matter what the project is, the only thing that
needs to really be with a true intention and honest to goodness heart. I feel like as long as you
know where your heart is in the project in whatever project no matter how big or small, the
project will turn out fantastic and in all honestly if you don’t do all the steps yeah there might
be some troubles but as long as you put your all then you should be fine.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion there are a lot of thing in project management a lot of process, a lot of planning, a
lot of knowledge areas and I am not going to lie they are a little hard to get everything in right
but honestly if you follow all of them your projects will be more successful and will run
smoother last but not least remember that this information can easily be apply to your own
personal life in the future in all aspects you just have to be creative and learn where everything
goes.
So this is Project management 10

References

https://www.project-management-prepcast.com/pmbok-knowledge-areas-and-pmi-process-

groups

Hourine, Greg, (2012), Project Management Absolute beginner’s guide: edition3.

https://www.pmi.org/about/learn-about-pmi/what-is-project-management
So this is Project management 11

Apendix

Student Name:

Project Name:

PROJECT CHARTER

Approval
Project Name: __________________
Project Customer: __________________
Project Manager: __________________
Project Sponsor: __________________

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

PROJECT OBJECTIVES SUCCESS CRITERIA

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

PROJECT RISKS

SUMMARY MILESTONE SCHEDULE

So this is Project management 12

SUMMARY BUDGET

APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Student Name:

Project Name:

CHANGE CONTROL PLAN

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CHANGE CONTROL OBJECTIVES

TYPES OF CHANGE

CHANGE CONTROL BOARD

Name Position/Title CCB Role

So this is Project management 13

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHANGE CONTROL PROCESS

So this is Project management 14

Nick Fury
Project
Manager

Capt. Thor Natasha Clint

Dr. Bruce
Tony Stark Steve Odinson Romanoff Barton
Banner
Engineer Rogers Public Human Financial
Maintenance
Logistics Relations Resources Manager
So this is Project management 15

Student Name:
So this is Project management 16

Project Name:

PROJECT BUDGET

RESOURCE LIST

COST ESTIMATES

<Copy/Paste the estimates you created in Excel. Best if it’s done as an image>

BASIS OF ESTIMATES

COST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Hours Hourly Material

Resource Name Total Cost
Required Rate Cost

PM Team 40 20.00 - 800.00

Labor 16 15.00 - 240.00

Materials (needs to be broken out) - - 100.00 100.00

Equipment 4 15.00 - 60.00

Services 8 25.00 - 200.00

Facilities - - - -

Information Technology - - 500.00 500.00

So this is Project management 17

Total Estimated Costs $1,900.00

Total Budget $2,000.00
Difference $100.00

Student Name:

Project Name:

QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

QUALITY METRICS

MILESTONE LIST

PRECEDENCE DIAGRAM

<Copy/Paste your Precedence Diagram WITH milestones. Best if it’s done as an image>

QUALITY TOOLS

Student Name:

Project Name:

HUMAN RESOURCE PLAN

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

So this is Project management 18

PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART

<Copy/Paste your Org Chart from the template. Best if it’s done as an image>

STAFFING MANAGEMENT PLAN

TEAM BUILDING

Project:
Project Number:
Date:
Team:
Communication Management Plan
Communication is complex; a communication plan should be in writing for most projects. It must
address the needs of all stakeholders. This is included in the project management plan.

Communication Management Plan

Project Title Project Number
What Needs to be Why Between Whom Best Method for Responsibility for
Communicated Communicating Sending
So this is Project management 19

Project:
Project Number:
Date:
Team:
Stakeholder Management Plan

Stakeholder Register
Project Title Project Number
ID Name Title Department(s) Contact Impact
/ Supervisor Information Major Main Expectations Influence Role(s) in
Requirements (1 to 5) Project
1
2
3
4
5
6

Student Name:

Project Name:

RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

RISK PLAN
Description of how you manage risk in your project.

RISK LOG

1. See Risk Register

So this is Project management 20

BUDGETING

<In addition to your rules for using contingency reserves, don’t forget to list budget
resources needed for the risks above, and why>

TIMING

TRACKING

Risk Registration
Template
Risk
Iden Risk
tifica Respons
tion Qualitative Rating e

P I
Ri o m Ri
s Pr t p s
k o e Ri a R R k R
C b n sk c i is R i
a a ti C t s k e s
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s r % a nc 0 r n s e e rie
k y ) ct y ) e g e r r s
Pr
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$ Siz
1 - 0 e
So this is Project management 21

an
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So this is Project management 22

Fu
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3 - 0 s
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So this is Project management 23

s
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So this is Project management 24