The discussion on a semi-commercial blog (a blog hosted by a product based company) presents the notion that PM 2.0 enabled by Web 2.0. While a pretty good start at a marketing campaign for the product, the critical missing element is "what does a project manager do when she is doing project management?"
Here's a sample of previous advice.
- What Activities Take Place During the Management of a Project?
- Essence of Project Management Part 2
- Three Core Processes of Project Management
- Project Management v. Systems Engineering
Now the thread here is that the processes of project management are pretty much independent of the tools used to implement those process. Oh yes, Web 2.0 tools can improve the visibility, possibly increase the cohesion between the team members.
But can these tools make these improvement in the absence of the proper execution of the core processes of project management?
I'd say from personal experience and the experience of our staff, the answer is a resounding NO. We have clients that have invested 10's of millions of dollars in tools and still are OTB (Over Target Baseline). They're in the ditch despite the investment in tools - many time in the current collaborative tools.
Tools "may" be necessary for project success, by they are far from sufficient to success. Core project management process are little changed since the advent of modern practices built around earned value and program risk (probabilistic risk).Even the supposed "agile" project management practices, follow the core processes of project management
- Define what "done" looks like
- Define what work is needed to get to "done"
- Identify the needed resources, risks, and their mitigation and retirement
- measure progress in units of physical percent complete in periods small enough to take managerial actions to stay on track
- Produce an estimate to complete and estimate at completion for cost, schedule and technical performance every reporting period
- Answer the question - how long am I willing to wait before I find out I'm late?
Pick what every tool works for you.
DO NOT start with the tool. Start with the working process, back into the tool. Ignore all the sales pitches that tools solve the problem. They do not.
An Example of Project Management
Just to close out notion of project management, here's a sample job description from a local Denver company. This is typical of the types of project management roles, where tools are secondary to the project processes.
Minimum 15 years Project Manager or related project experience managing large VA hospital programs in excess of $500 million. A Bachelors degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management is required, with an advanced degree and professional license preferred. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications to include Word and Excel, as well as knowledge of construction scheduling software. Excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary.
