PF1101 Fundamentals of Project Management

Professor Low Sui Pheng

DSc(Civil), PhD, MSProjM
National University of Singapore

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Introduction to Project Management

At the end of this lecture, you should be familiar with:

1. Project Management Knowledge Areas
2. What others say about project management?
3. What are projects?
4. Definition of project management
5. Nine knowledge areas
6. Project management application areas
7. What is Program Management?
8. What is Project Portfolio Management?
9. What is Project Management Office (PMO)?

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Case Study: Apple iPhone project
1. Very successful project in tech industry.
2. Codename: started Project Purple in 2004.
3. Debut in 2007.
4. $150m development costs (excluding ideation
phase).
5. Global iPhone sales ($ billions) is phenomenal
6. Lesson 1: Ideation phase kept low-profile with
small teams experimenting on ideas. Avoid
launching full-blown project for every
conceivable idea.
7. Lesson 2: Project sponsor. Steve Jobs fully
engaged, allocate resources, make decisions.

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Case Study: Apple iPhone project
8. Lesson 3: Time. Fixed deadline for launch at
2007 MacWorld Trade Show. Team pressure
with 100% focus to go extra mile.
9. Lesson 4: Human Resources. Most talented
individuals deployed to live and breath Project
Purple.
10. Lesson 5: Quality obsession. iPhone looks and
feel easy to use.
11. Lesson 6: Proactive risk management. Make
iPod phone or touch-tablet with phone or both.
12. Lesson 7: Communication. Outside
communication forbidden. Team communication
outstanding.
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Some prize winners for class participation in lectures (no quota)

Semester 1 AY 2023-2024 (57 winners)

Semester 2 AY 2022-2023 (55 winners)

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https://www.ies.org.sg/Accreditation/EAB10249

https://www.ies.org.sg/Tenant/C0000005/PDF%20File/Accreditation/EAB%20Accreditation%20Manual%20-%20Version%20August%202020.pdf 7
(Source: Society of Project Managers and Mr Liew Mun Leong)
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(Source: Straits Times 6 April 2019 page C3)

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(Straits Times 15 June 2020, page B11)
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(Source: Straits Times, 25 Feb 2022) 11
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(Source: Straits Times)
(Source: PM Link Pte Ltd)
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(Source: PT Batam Island Marina & Funtasy Island Development Pte Ltd) 14
(Source: PT Batam Island Marina & Funtasy Island Development Pte Ltd)
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 (6 Feb 2023)
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(Source: Society of Project Managers and Mr Eugene Seah)
1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE AREAS

What is Project Management?

• Application of knowledge
• Use of processes

Project Management work typically involves:

• Competing demands
• Stakeholders
• Identified requirements

(Source: Project Management Institute)

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 2. WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT?

Bennet P. Lientz and Kathryn P. Rea (2003) International Project Management,

Academic Press, Amsterdam.

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https://linc.nus.edu.sg/record=b3759063
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 International Project Management Association

(Source: IPMA) 20
 Association of Project Management

(Source: APM) 21
 Project Management Institute

Project Management is essentially a 9-to-5 job!

1. Integration 2. Scope 3. Time
Management Management Management

4. Cost 5. Quality 6. Human Resource

Management Management Management

7. Communications 8. Risk 9. Procurement

Management Management Management

(1) Initiating (2) Planning (3) Executing (4) Monitoring/Controlling (5) Closing
(Source: PMI) 9 knowledge areas supported by 5 processes 22
3. WHAT ARE PROJECTS?
Deadlines
Resources
Budget
Scope
Upon Results
completion,
Temporary
project assignments
team
disbands

Versus
Events Create
(lasting a something
few hours)
Temporary
Projects

Much longer
deliverables like
skyscrapers
and cars

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Projects create unique products, services, etc.

Things: skyscrapers, glass, laptops, cameras, etc.

Services: new call center, better processes, etc.
Results: R&D cure for new viruses

Unique factors: stakeholders,

time, environment, etc.

Unique even if you do the same

type of projects many times
over!

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Progressive Elaboration Refinements that
project components
pass through to
reach their final
state.

Iteration is a constant.

Work Breakdown Structure

(Source: Phillips J, 2010) 25
Projects versus Operations (P&O)

Projects Operations

Short term Day-to-day

endeavors Work

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Projects and Strategic Planning

REASONS
WHY A
PROJECT
IS
CREATED
Law and Market
regulations opportunities

Special
Technology
needs

Customers

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4. DEFINITIONS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Definition:
Schedules,
supervision
monitors, and
and control of
controls
the work
project tasks
required

9 knowledge
areas:
The Project Integration
Team brings all
areas
together

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5. NINE KNOWLEDGE AREAS

1. Integration Management 2. Scope Management 3. Time Management

What needs to be
coordinated and What must be done? When should it be done?
integrated?

4. Cost Management 5. Quality Management 6. Human Resource

Management
How much will it cost? How good should it be? Who will do the work?

7. Communications 8. Risk Management 9. Procurement

Management Management
How will information be What problems may be What resources must be
delivered? encountered? obtained?

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6. PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPLICATION AREAS

• Different disciplines/industries: project

management approach is the same.

• Include: IT, manufacturing, finance, consulting,

R&D, etc.

Understanding the Project Environment - influences from:

• Physical environment

• Cultural and social environment

• International and political environment

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Relying on General Management Skills
Planning
Organizing
Controlling

Relying on Interpersonal Skills

Problem
solving Motivating

Influence the
Communicating organization

Leader-
ship Negotiations

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7. WHAT IS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT?

Manage multiple projects all working towards

common goal

A program comprises multiple projects

Project managers manage each project within

the program and report to Program manager

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Program Management

Program
Manager

Project Project Project

Manager A Manager B Manager C

(Source: Phillips J, 2010)

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8. WHAT IS PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT?

Projects can be lumped into a portfolio instead

of a program

A portfolio is a collection of projects doing

the same things

A portfolio could be within one line of business

or organizational strategy (e.g. boutique hotels)

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9. WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO)?

PMO organizes and manages control all projects

in the company

Advantage over decentralized project

management

Centralized risks, communications,

procurement, etc.

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In summary, the five PM processes are:

Initiating

Closing Planning

Monitoring &
Controlling Executing

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Different efforts in the PM processes

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 Project Management is a 9 to 5 job!

Project Integration Management ensures

stakeholders know what is going on at all times.

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The PM processes are implemented in each knowledge area
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A Systematic & Structured Approach
to learning Project Management
(embracing ambiguities and uncertainties at the same time)

You ☞

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 NUS Open House
Some examples of Project Management
jobs in various disciplines:

IPM – Project Manager

Civil – Project Manager / Director
MSE – Project Manager
Arch – Construction Project Manager
Env Eng – Environmental Project Manager

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 Quotes of the day

Humility is the foundation of all virtues, for it allows us to

approach every situation with an open mind and a willingness
to learn from others.

To learn, you must listen.

To improve, you must apply.

[The materials presented are for educational purposes only.]

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