PMD Pro

Book excerpt: The PMD Guide provides an introductory, independent exploration of Project Management within the context of the development sector. PMD Pro is an essential best practices guide for all non-profit organizations: international NGOs, country level and community based NGOs, humanitarian organizations, foundations, and funding organizations.The purpose of the PMD Guide is to improve development professionals' project management capacity. The Guide provides a contextualized, balanced, comprehensive, and adaptable resource to help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of projects in the development sector. It is intended for an audience that includes:* Project Managers and team members who are new to project management;* Project Managers and team members who are new to the development sector;* Development sector professionals who intend to pursue professional credentials in project management; * Consultants/contract staff operating in the development sector.The PMD Guide is organized into four sections:Section One: Projects in the Development SectorProjects pervade the culture of development organizations. As a result, project management is a critical competency for development professionals. Section One provides an introductory, high-level overview of projects in the sector, answering questions that include: * Why do projects matter? * How to define projects and project management? * How do projects fit in the larger strategic culture of development organizations? * What are the roles/responsibilities of the project manager and the project team? * What competencies are required to be a successful project manager?Section Two: Phases in the Life of a Development ProjectIn project management, as in much of life, a secret to success is balance. Section Two of the Guide explores the importance of balanced project management through the entire life of the project. Following a brief introduction that introduces the concept of the phases in the life of the project, Section Two of the Guide explores each of the six phases in the life of the project, including: * Project Identification and Design* Project Set Up* Project Planning* Project Implementation* Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Control* End of Project TransitionSection Three: Project Management DisciplinesTo succeed, project managers in the development sector need to develop an array of project management disciplines that must be applied through the entire life of the project. Section Three explores six discipline areas of project managers in the development sector, including:* Scope Management* Time Management* Project Resource Management* Risk Management * Project Justification Management* Stakeholder ManagementSection Four: Adapting the PMD ProThe PMD Guide is NOT a template to be applied indiscriminately to all projects and by all organizations. It is important to remember that each development organization is unique. Furthermore, within a single organization, projects will vary considerably in terms of value, complexity and risk. Even in situations where two projects seem to be similar, the environments in which projects are implemented are unpredictable and field realities can vary significantly from the scenarios anticipated in plans made just months earlier. Recognizing that development organizations and their projects are unique, Section 4 examines approaches project managers can employ to adapt the PMD Pro project management approaches to the context in which their projects work.