Project management concepts and applications

Project Management

One of the ways that a project manager could use the data described in the article to keep the project on track is by prioritizing the respective components of the project. The prioritization aspect of Microsoft Project is important for when "projects are tight and fewer resources are available" (Robb). Additionally, it is possible to make sure that the resources devoted to one project do not overlap with those of another by using software such as Mariner. Lastly, Mariner's approval system is vital to the ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget because it provides a means of getting permission to implement certain elements of a project.

The project management software discussed in the article entitled "Projecting project management" by Drew Robb can improve a mid-project status report to the sponsors by providing the framework for that report. Specifically, Microsoft Project can provide a "high-level view of the schedule" (Robb) that can be incorporated in a presentation in which the project's report is given. This information could help to provide some nice visual assurance of the status of the project, including the fact that (ideally) the project is being completed according to its schedule. It is vital to demonstrate this assurance -- at a high-level -- to those who are funding projects.