Frequently Asked Questions

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. **

**Paraphrased from PMI website

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. **

**Paraphrased from PMI website.

• Better understanding of the project’s purpose
• Use of tools and processes for defining and controlling project scope
• Managed project risks
• Ability to identify, monitor and track deliverables and milestones
• Improved communications and reporting
• Improved project documentation that could be used for other similar projects
  Pre-defined project objectives, stated measurements, and improved documentation that will allow the organization to gather metrics and to analyze specific areas of improvement
• Maximization of team members and customers contributions to projects; consistency in project approach allows them to develop an understanding of how projects work and their role in the project
• Usage of common, consistent project management terminology when discussing projects

The project manager uses the appropriate level of project management methodology, processes, and documentation to ensure that project health can be assessed and decision-makers have accurate information. A project manager increases the chances of successful project implementations by: facilitating the identification and mitigation of risks associated with a project, communicating status and issues, managing project expectations at all levels, improved project scoping, and generally approaching projects in an organized and efficient manner.

Some of the responsibilities of project managers include but are not limited to:

• Providing project management support and services to the organization’s projects
• Maintaining the organization’s project portfolio
• Identifying training needs
• Reporting on those projects that meet the specific criteria (ex. LFC)
• Scope control and budget management
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Assuring the quality of the project management process
• Communicating with other stakeholders involved in the project
• Project status reporting and forecasting
• Resolution of conflicts within a project
• Coordinating with the technical manager and associated team members
• Ensuring the project’s product delivers the required results

The LUC PMO can assist you in a number of ways.  We can help as much or as little as you need:

• If you simply need templates for documentation or have questions regarding best practices, we can provide access and answers.
• If you need project management mentoring, we can create a plan to help you at the level you need.
• If you need a hands-on project manager to run your project, we can assign a resource.

Please contact us at pmo@luc.edu to get started.

Please see our list of Project Management Templates.

We recommend using the Project Checklist to get started.