15 Basic Project Management Principles for Successful PM

The project management principles are the an integral part of AIMS’ online course with certificate in Project Management and the executive online MBA in Project Management program.

15 Basic Principles of Project Management

There are essentially 7 project management principles that you should know about.

1. Focus on Products

The client or the customer for whom the project has been developed should have a clear idea of what they require and how they want the deliverables to be. They should be realistic about their expectations. When the client is clear about what they want or expect from the project, things become a lot easier for the managers in charge.

2. Continued Business Justification

There has to be a business justification behind every project. All projects should provide the company with a decent return on investment which makes it worth the effort, time, and investment that goes into it. There are occasions when the circumstances in the industry or in the market change during the life cycle of the project, which affects the return on investment. A decision has to be taken at such a time, as whether to continue with the project or not.

4. Manage by Exception

The sponsor of the project or the owner of the company should not be too concerned with the tiny details and they should not try to micro-manage everything. They should let the managers take charge and make the decisions within a set of pre-decided constraints. Only when the problem or issue becomes critical should it be escalated to the sponsor.

5. Manage by Stages

The project should be broken down into smaller sub-projects or stages. At the end of each stage, the sponsor of the project makes a critical decision on how to proceed further. The idea is to commit to just one stage at a time.

6. Learn from Experience

It is among the important project management principles that the manager and those involved with the project should not repeat the same mistakes every time. They should analyze what went wrong with the previous projects they worked on and learn from the lessons while planning the next project. They must not repeat past errors.

7. Tailor to the Environment

Any project management framework or methodology should be based on the specific requirements of the project. The project should be customized accordingly. Managers should never follow a methodology without considering the environment that they are operating in and the type and amount of work required. For example, a construction project with a time frame of 1 year should be based on a different methodology compared to one required to be done in 3 weeks for IT project.

8. Focus on Deliverables

The primary objective of project management should be the completion with the successful management of a project. This involves clearly defining deliverables at the start and ensuring that all activities are aligned towards achieving these end goals. Regular reviews and checkpoints should be in place to assess progress against deliverables.

9. Define Roles and Responsibilities

Clarity in project manager roles and responsibilities and other team members is critical for the smooth functioning of a project. Each team member should know their specific tasks and how they contribute to the overall project. This ensures accountability and helps in avoiding confusion and overlap of tasks.

10. Risk Management

Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks during project management is essential. By proactively managing potential risks, project managers can minimize their impact on the project. Regular risk assessments and contingency planning should be integral parts of the project lifecycle.

11. Stakeholder Engagement

Engaging stakeholders throughout the project is crucial for its success. This includes regular communication, understanding their needs and expectations, and managing their involvement. Keeping stakeholders informed and engaged helps in gaining their support and aligns the project’s objectives with their interests.

12. Continuous Improvement

Project management should always seek to improve processes, methodologies, and outcomes. This involves regularly gathering feedback, analyzing performance, and making adjustments to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Continuous improvement helps in maintaining the relevance and competitiveness of project management practices.

13. Maintain a Business Focus

Projects should always be aligned with the strategic goals of the business. This project management principle ensures that the project contributes to the overall success and growth of the organization. Decision-making should be based on the business value and benefits that the project will deliver.

14. Integrated Planning

Comprehensive planning that integrates all aspects of the project is essential. This includes resources management, project scope management, project time, cost management of projects, and project quality management. An integrated plan ensures that all elements of the project are considered and managed coherently.

15. Foster Team Collaboration

Successful projects depend on the collaboration and cohesion of the team. Encouraging open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork enhances productivity and morale. Collaborative environments lead to better problem-solving and innovation, driving project success.

Final Words

These are the 15 project management principles that every organization should incorporate into their processes, and they are essential for the success of any project.

• Project management isn’t easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment.
• You’ll need to be disciplined both in your personal life and your professional life.
• When you’re starting in project management, it can be difficult to know where to start. Follow these project management principles, and you’ll have a successful project.