When planning a project timeline, no matter how large or complicated the project is, there are five distinctive phases any project manager should follow, no matter the methodology used. Each stage provides a clear and visible outline of the project at any time during the process.

In project management, dependencies are defined as tasks that require the completion of a previous task before they can be actioned, i.e. they “depend” on the previous activity. Every project has dependencies, often there are several sequences to a task which are dependent on one another. The scope of a project requires these tasks to be completed in order. 

Being a project manager can be highly rewarding, with the opportunity to work in different business sectors, such as IT, construction, engineering and retail.  There is plenty of job variation, interaction with people, working with new technologies, improving your skills and opportunities to train and further your career. We’ve highlighted below a project manager career path that can be followed, along with some useful tips to help you progress.

How many of us have watched The Apprentice and cringed at the way the project manager runs their team? At a guess, I’d say hundreds, and I bet most of them have said, “I can do better than that!” Well, of course, that may be possible, but then again, it may not. Even if you have a project management qualification, there’s no guarantee you can successfully run a project.

In business, two heads are generally better than one. Although you often need to have a single person in charge of a project for it to run smoothly, multiple people or teams collaborating on the task can help a business achieve results fast.

Ask any company owner what their most valuable quality is, and many of them will say it’s their ability to lead. Being able to inspire members of staff can help you to get the best out of your team, push employees that little bit further and drive your company on to real success.

Good project management skills are incredibly useful in virtually all industries. From finance to fine arts and events to accounting, most businesses need people who can manage projects effectively and successfully. You might be looking for ways to enhance your project management technique. If so, take a look at these seven essential skills every successful project manager should have.

The importance of emotional intelligence (EI) in business, particularly in leadership, is well understood. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can get the most out of their employees. In so doing, they propel projects and businesses to ever greater heights.

As a project leader, you’re required to chair meetings before, during and after any major project. To ensure everyone is on the same page and working in the right direction, you need to plan these meetings effectively. But how do you plan and execute a project meeting structure that works?

When things get busy in the office, it can be a real challenge figuring out how to manage multiple projects. There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get it all done.