97 Things Every Project Manager Should Know

Chapter 56. Don't Fall into the "Not Invented Here" Syndrome

CDT, CCE, MScPM. Dr. Paul Giammalvo

PROJECT MANAGEMENT is nothing more than a set of processes, and when integrated and combined, these processes result in a methodology. And those processes/methodologies have nearly unlimited application.

There are five sets or groups of processes associated with project management:

• Initiation. Those processes that authorize or recognize that a project exists.

• Planning. Those processes that enable us to identify what needs to be done and how to go about doing it.

• Executing. The actual execution of processes identified in the planning phase to produce results.

• Monitoring and Controlling. Those processes where we assess whether the project is progressing in accordance with the plan.

• Closing. Those processes that identify whether what we did was done on time, within the allocated budget, and in substantial conformance to the specifications so that the project achieved the results for which it was undertaken.

The information technology sector has been particularly reluctant to look at what others are doing in project management. It doesn't appear to adapt or adopt "best practices" from those sectors that are more advanced or mature in order to increase the success rate of IT projects.

The two great sectors to use as benchmarks are medicine and commercial aircraft piloting. Why? Because both medicine ...