Project management for the layman

I am sure many of us already mastered the use of Microsoft Project – we can produce good-looking Glant charts, critical path diagrams and even resource utilization reports. But I am also pretty sure that most (if not all) of us don’t know how to manage a project, even with the powerful Microsoft Project software.

So what can you do to manage a project, if you are not a professional project manager ? The books “Getting things done” and “The 4-hour workweek” both suggested one simple method to manage your projects … here is it:

1. Write down the name of the project;
2. Write down the goal or desired outcome of the project;
3. Then, spend some time, think about the project for a little while … then;
4. Write down the possible next step to do … to achieve the goal / desired outcome;
5. Lastly (!), go ahead to do that “next step” and repeat from the step 3 above.

Believe me, it is simple, it works, and it keep things moving !! Give it a try and tell me what you think.

Author: Michael Yung

Michael possessed over 30 years of experience in Information Technology with focuses on complex application development, database technologies and IT strategy. He also spent the last 20 years in Internet technology, eCommerce development / operations, web usability, computer security and Public Key Infrastructure technologies. View all posts by Michael Yung