Traditional Management Methods
Project management employs techniques that have evolved over time to plan activities, monitor progress, and accurately estimate the start and end dates of projects. The primary objective is to achieve the desired results within a predetermined timeline while adhering to the specified budget, all conforming to the project specifications.
Traditional management systems were formally introduced in the 1950s, despite their existence for thousands of years. We have witnessed the construction of monumental structures like the pyramids in ancient times, and the development of railroads traversing continents over the past 300 years—both are examples of traditional project management practices.
This management approach relies on the fundamental phases of a project without any additional complexities. These phases typically include project initiation, proper planning, timely execution, effective control, and a proper closure process. Consequently, traditional project management is often favored for sequential projects that do not require changes along their course.
Project Steps
Entrepreneurs and investors recognize the necessity for sound project management to keep pace with rapid technological advancement and the increasing demand for new initiatives. This realization has led to the development of methodologies for organizing work and enhancing project pathways, prompting the establishment of dedicated teams for project initiation planning and for structuring the tasks of their personnel in a systematic manner.
Gantt Chart
The widely recognized Gantt chart, developed by Henry Gantt, is celebrated as a hallmark of traditional project management. The Gantt chart provides a comprehensive overview of the project prior to its commencement, facilitating the creation of project plans through software tools like Excel, in lieu of outdated manual methods or magnetic blocks. This chart offers numerous benefits, chief among them being the organization of all ideas and plans within a single framework and timeline.
The upper section of the Gantt chart is designated for the time scale, while the left side lists project activities, with each task represented by a distinct bar. The accompanying columns display the duration of each task along with its start and end dates. The Gantt chart conveys essential information, including:
- Project start and end dates.
- Project tasks.
- Personnel responsible for each task.
- Proper methods for task interdependencies.
- Time required for each task.
The Gantt chart remains a contemporary standard used across various projects today, significantly aiding project management teams in tracking milestones and personnel along with project schedules. Additionally, it enhances understanding of the relationships between different tasks, keeping project teams informed of their responsibilities and timelines to ensure successful project completion.
Project Management Triangle
Project management is frequently constrained by administrative and financial limitations. These constraints are encapsulated in the project management triangle, utilized for decades in traditional project management practices. It is impossible to manage any project without monitoring these constraints and striving to maintain balance among them. Within the triangle lies the quality of the project, which is the ultimate goal of any initiative; any imbalance among its three components results in diminished quality. The three corners of this triangle include:
- Scope
The scope of the project outlines all steps involved in its development and execution, determining what will be accomplished, the challenges faced, and what is beyond reach. This constitutes the foundational phase of a successful traditional project.
- Time
Managing processes and implementing necessary changes in a timely manner represents the second component of the triangle: time. This poses one of the greatest challenges for project managers and their teams. While controlling time is not feasible, achieving desired outcomes is possible through meticulous scheduling.
- Cost
Establishing and adhering to a budget is crucial in executing any project—this represents the third element of the project triangle. Proper management of costs and setting an accurate budget facilitate precise execution of the project through defined steps.
Quality
The establishment of new projects ensures the presence of quality management systems, which can be divided into two parts:
- Continuous Quality Management
This aspect seeks to eliminate administrative gaps in project execution steps while enhancing overall performance and quality.
- Process Quality Management
This form of quality management emphasizes business and financial operations, focusing on analyzing and compiling project-related financial data to inform management for performance improvement without exceeding budget limits.
Modern Project Management
Modern project management distinguishes itself from traditional approaches by employing software and technology throughout most phases of a project. It emphasizes the importance of tools and processes, documenting every step of the workflow, encouraging collaboration among team members, and adapting to ongoing changes in project scope.
Some key benefits of modern project management include:
- Enhanced work quality.
- Increased transparency in projects.
- Flexibility in prioritizing tasks.
- Accurate forecasting of costs and expenditures.
- Early delivery of projects beyond client expectations.