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Project Management

Lecture February 25, 2010

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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Overview
• What is Project Management?
- What is a project? - Successful and failed projects - Critical success factors of PM

• Structure of the lecture
- Agenda - People - Administration

• The Case

- Content of the Case Study - Schedule - Deliverables

• Summary and Outlook

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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What is a project?

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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Working Definition “Project” I
• A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. Temporary means that the project has an end date. Unique means that the project's end result is different than the results of other functions of the organization. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project)
• A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service (PMI, PMBOK)

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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Working Definition “Project” II •Must make a distinction between terms:
- Program - an exceptionally large, long-range objective that is broken down into a set of projects - Task - set of activities comprising a project - Work Packages - division of tasks - Work Units - division of work packages

•A specific, finite task to be accomplished

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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Characteristics of a Project •Have a supported purpose/importance •Performance specifications (form, fit, function) •Known (bounded) solution •Have a life cycle with finite due date •Interdependencies •Uniqueness •Resource requirements and tradeoffs •Stakeholder Conflict

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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What is project management?

Prof. Dr. Christian Marxt© 2010

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Definition • Project Management:
- The science and art of solving a given problem within predetermined time and resource parameters. - “Shouldering just enough risk to escape with your career intact!!!”

Prof.