project management tips
about
It is our belief that successful projects can only be achieved through applying sound project management techniques. How could they not?
This section describes issues relating to managing projects. They are drawn from the course that Pamela teaches at Humber College 
Institute of Advanced Learning and Technology, as well as many discussions with fellow writers.
Should you have other questions, feel free to contact us and we will post the answer to this section on a periodic basis.
frequently asked questions
Should you still use project management processes if there is not a team — just one person?
As a lone writer you can definitely reduce the number of processes that you need. If you are the writer and project manager, as the term "lone writer" implies, then the project management processes you need are the ones that you deem necessary to meet your deadlines and quality standards. So, obviously weekly team meetings with yourself are not necessary! You may still require estimating, scheduling, and status reports (to give to the client).
I'm interested in tips and techniques to handle difficult/out of control projects where you are constantly a ”victim of events”.
Identify your processes as well as role and responsibilities very clearly at the beginning of the project in writing, and reinforce these items throughout the project. If a client works outside of these processes or adds functionality, then you can bring this to their attention and provide an additional estimate for the out of scope work.
How do you deal with management (methods and strategies) that does not think project management is worth the extra time at the beginning of a project?
Companies that say “just do it” without allowing the writers to find out what “doing it” really means in terms of processes, responsibilities, and scope are difficult working environments. That being said, there may be some miscommunication about how much extra time is needed at the beginning of a project, or how project management techniques will benefit the project overall. Find out the manager's key concerns and strategize to address them. Perhaps this will mean implementing project management techniques in an informal basis over time.
How accurate is a cost estimate expected to be? How much can you go over or under and still be considered “accurate?”
If you are not accurate, then you are simply not accurate. However, the question you have about accuracy may relate more to concerns about accountability and work performance. Very rarely are estimates ever 100% accurate. Most companies take into consideration extraneous variables such as unforeseen issues, company-wide issues that impacted your deliverables, changes to the project scope, and so on. Keep track of these kinds of issues on your projects as they form part of the final project report.
How many years of experience does it take before being able to handle a project manager position?
It depends on the type of experience you have rather than how long you have had it. Generally, after five years you can be considered for senior positions including project manager. It is beneficial to pursue project management designations (www.pmi.org), mentor and train junior people, and assume project management responsibilities.
about the photo
This photo of the thorny Scottish thistle was taken in the Scottish wilderness. Many writers tell us that introducing project management principles in their company is difficult. If you will pardon the pun, it is a thorny issue. We understand this. Explain the benefits of project management to your organization and be sure to provide specific examples of how the documentation can be produced more efficiently. Create a plan and implement it over time.
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