A project comprise a series of activities (investments) that
aim at solving problems within a given time frame with a
clear set of objectives for man’s benefit. It is an undertaking
that involves the commitment of scarce resources in the
expectation of future benefits. According to Heagney (2012:
2), a project should have a definite starting and end point
(time), a budget (cost), or a certain magnitude of work and
specific performance. Before achieving the objectives, a
project goes through several stages of a project cycle.
The Project life Cycle refers to a logical sequence of activities
to accomplish the project’s goals or objectives. Regardless of
scope or complexity, any project goes through a series of
stages during its life. The first stage is the birth phase or
Identification. In this stage the outputs and critical success
factors are defined. This is followed by a Planning phase,
characterized by breaking down the project into smaller
parts/tasks. In the Execution phase, the project plan is
executed, and lastly a Closure or Exit phase, marks the
completion of the project. The project cycle has seven stages,
each stage links with the preceding one and leads forward to
the next one. These include Identification, Preparation,
Appraisal, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation and
winding up.[...]
Table of Contents
- Chapter One: Introduction
- What is a project?
- Project Cycle
- Chapter Two: Project Planning and Analysis
- Planning for Project Implementation
- Key issues of Planning for Implementation
- Project Organization (structure)
- Project Implementation plans
- Functions of Planning
- Areas of Planning
- Role of Plans in the implementation activity
- Factors that affect plan implementation
- Why is Planning important
- Chapter Three: Project Management
- Major goals Project Management
- Types of Management in the Project Cycle
- Integration Management
- Scope Management
- Time Management
- Cost management
- Quality Management
- Project Communication Management
- Project Human Resource Management
- Project Risk Management
- Project Procurement Management
- Logical Framework Matrix
- Feasibility and Viability Analysis and Decision making
- Feasibility Study
- Feasibility Analysis and Appraisal of Projects
- Needs Analysis
- Problem/ Needs Analysis
- Need and Needs Assessment
- Capacity Assessment
- Traditional and New Project Cycle
- Chapter Four: Monitoring
- Monitoring Indicators
- Chapter Five: Evaluation
- Importance of Information gathering & Analysis
- Project Information System
- Information Users
- Kind of Information needed for Monitoring & Evaluation
- How to ensure that Information is accurate and reliable
- How to ensure that information is relevant to user needs
- How to ensure that information is available on time
- Chapter Six: Winding Up
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Report Writing
Objectives and Key Themes
This document aims to provide a comprehensive overview of project planning and management. It details the project cycle, planning processes, management strategies, monitoring techniques, and evaluation methods. The text also explores feasibility analysis and needs assessment within the context of project implementation.
- Project life cycle and its phases
- Effective project planning and analysis techniques
- Various aspects of project management
- Monitoring and evaluation methodologies
- Feasibility studies and needs assessment
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter introduces the fundamental concept of a project, defining it as a series of activities aimed at solving problems within a specific timeframe and budget, with clear objectives. It also introduces the project life cycle, outlining its various stages, from identification and planning to execution and closure. The cyclical nature of these stages, each building upon the previous one, is emphasized as crucial for successful project completion. The seven stages—identification, preparation, appraisal, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and winding up—are presented as a sequential roadmap for project success.
Chapter Two: Project Planning and Analysis: This chapter delves into the crucial aspects of project planning and analysis. It discusses the importance of meticulous planning for successful project implementation, highlighting key issues that often arise during this phase. The chapter also explores different facets of planning, including defining project organizational structures, developing implementation plans, and identifying the functions and areas of planning. It further examines the vital role of plans in the implementation process and the external factors that can impact this process. The overall significance of planning in ensuring project success is underlined.
Chapter Three: Project Management: This chapter focuses on project management, outlining major goals and various management types within the project cycle. It details specific management areas, such as integration, scope, time, cost, and quality management, along with communication, human resource, risk, and procurement management. The chapter introduces the Logical Framework Matrix as a tool for project management. A significant portion is dedicated to feasibility and viability analysis, including detailed discussions on feasibility studies, analysis and appraisal of projects, needs analysis, and capacity assessment. The chapter contrasts traditional and new project cycles, highlighting the evolution of project management approaches.
Chapter Four: Monitoring: This chapter concentrates on the critical role of monitoring within the project cycle. It details the importance and methods of using indicators to track progress and identify potential problems during project implementation. The chapter emphasizes the proactive approach of monitoring to ensure projects stay on track and meet their objectives. Effective monitoring, the chapter suggests, is essential for timely intervention and corrective action.
Chapter Five: Evaluation: This chapter explores the importance of information gathering and analysis in project evaluation. It discusses the establishment of a project information system, defining users of this information and specifying the type of data required for monitoring and evaluation. The chapter then focuses on ensuring the accuracy, reliability, relevance, and timeliness of the information gathered, emphasizing the importance of data quality for sound project evaluation.
Keywords
Project planning, project management, project cycle, feasibility analysis, needs assessment, monitoring, evaluation, implementation, risk management, resource management.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Project Planning and Management
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of project planning and management. It covers the entire project cycle, from initial planning and analysis through implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Key topics include feasibility analysis, needs assessment, and various project management strategies. The document is structured with a table of contents, chapter summaries, objectives, key themes, and keywords for easy navigation and understanding.
What are the key stages of the project cycle covered in this document?
The document outlines a seven-stage project cycle: identification, preparation, appraisal, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and winding up. Each stage builds upon the previous one, emphasizing a sequential approach to successful project completion.
What aspects of project planning and analysis are discussed?
The document delves into meticulous planning for successful implementation, highlighting key issues that can arise. It explores various facets of planning, including organizational structure, implementation plans, the functions and areas of planning, the role of plans in implementation, and factors that can affect implementation. The overall significance of planning for project success is emphasized.
What are the major goals and types of project management discussed?
The document outlines major project management goals and various management types within the project cycle. Specific areas covered include integration, scope, time, cost, and quality management, along with communication, human resource, risk, and procurement management. The Logical Framework Matrix is introduced as a useful tool. Feasibility and viability analysis, including feasibility studies, needs assessment, and capacity assessment, are also discussed. Traditional and new project cycles are compared.
How is monitoring addressed in this document?
The document highlights the critical role of monitoring in the project cycle, emphasizing the use of indicators to track progress and identify potential problems. A proactive monitoring approach is advocated to ensure projects stay on track and meet their objectives.
What aspects of evaluation are covered?
The document stresses the importance of information gathering and analysis in project evaluation. It discusses the creation of a project information system, identifies information users, and specifies the type of data needed for monitoring and evaluation. Ensuring the accuracy, reliability, relevance, and timeliness of information is highlighted as crucial for effective project evaluation.
What types of feasibility analysis and needs assessment are discussed?
The document covers feasibility studies, feasibility analysis and appraisal of projects, needs analysis, problem/needs analysis, and capacity assessment. These techniques are presented within the context of project implementation and decision-making.
What are the key keywords associated with this document?
Key keywords include: Project planning, project management, project cycle, feasibility analysis, needs assessment, monitoring, evaluation, implementation, risk management, and resource management.
- Quote paper
- Doctor Akampurira Abraham (Author), 2011, Project Planning & Management - Aspects of Development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/211504
