I'm raising money for a cause I care about, but I need your help to reach my goal! Please become a supporter to follow my progress and share with your friends.
Subscribe to follow campaign updates!
In today's increasingly digitized world, businesses find it harder to eschew digital technology and connectivity.
According to Forbes, there are 1.13 billion websites worldwide, with one built every three seconds. Seventy-one percent of businesses have a website. This is around 11% higher than it was four years ago. In its survey, Gartner also found that 89% of board of directors members reported that digital is embedded in all of their business growth strategies.
Indeed, information technology (IT) projects and, subsequently, IT project advisory have become the heart of business innovation. Web development, software creation, network configuration, hardware installation, and other IT projects represent the crucial bridge between business strategy and technological advancement. However, the successful execution of these projects requires specialized project management skills.
Like standard project management, IT project management (ITPM) involves planning, scheduling, executing, monitoring, and reporting on a project to ensure it is completed within budget, on time, and to the desired quality. However, ITPM must also address an IT project's unique characteristics and challenges.
IT project management is not confined to the IT industry. Almost all industries today have an IT component, making the application of IT methods broad and diverse.
The stakes in ITPM are often high, as IT forms the backbone of some businesses. A failed IT project can bring financial ruin and significant operational consequences.
You can manage an IT project any way you want, but project managers typically follow these steps.
This initial phase involves defining the project's scope, setting a budget, and determining stakeholder requirements. The project manager must understand what the project aims to achieve and the resources needed for successful completion.
After preparing the project requirements, assembling a team to execute the project comes next. Clear communication channels should be established at this stage to foster collaboration and ensure everyone is aligned with the project goals.
At this point, the project manager plots the timeline and assigns resources. The project manager uses project planning tools like Gantt charts to outline tasks, set milestones, and determine the project's critical path.
As the project progresses, tracking actual progress against the initial plan is crucial. Regular monitoring can help identify potential issues early so the project management team can adjust plans as necessary.
Project managers can use a Kanban board to create and control workflows.
The project manager must monitor resources, particularly the team's workload, to ensure efficiency, avoid overworking team members, and maintain steady progress toward project goals.
Given the rapid pace of technological change, adaptability is particularly crucial in IT projects. As projects progress, adjustments may be needed to accommodate new requirements or changes in circumstances.
The project management team must regularly report on progress. This helps keep the team accountable, particularly to stakeholders, and facilitates identifying potential areas of concern.
IT project management is not without its challenges.
The nature of IT, particularly technology's rapid development, makes frequent adaptation necessary. Technology becomes obsolete quickly, creating a high-pressure environment that can lead to missteps.
Communication can also be an obstacle, particularly when teams are distributed or work remotely. Clear and effective communication channels are crucial to a project's success.
Further, the lack of consensus on methodology can be problematic. With a plethora of project management methodologies to choose from, such as the traditional waterfall method, agile methodology, or a hybrid of the two, identifying the most suitable approach for a particular project can be contentious but crucial to its success.
That said, mastering IT project management is vital to business success. While they present unique challenges, with the right approach and appropriate methodologies and tools, IT projects can be a significant catalyst for growth and innovation.
Given the above-cited challenges, IT project advisory can be a game-changer for businesses.
IT project advisory is a specialized service that provides strategic guidance, insights, and advice for managing IT projects. An IT project advisor leverages years of industry knowledge, best practices, and a deep understanding of IT project methodologies to help businesses align their technology initiatives with their business objectives,
Here's how IT project advisory can help organizations execute IT projects.
An IT project advisory service can provide valuable strategic guidance. By understanding your business goals, your IT project advisor can assist you in planning and implementing IT projects that align with your strategic objectives.
Your business consultant's tasks include identifying potential risks and implementing measures to mitigate them.
IT project advisors bring a wealth of experience in various project management methodologies. They can guide your team in selecting a suitable methodology based on the nature of the project, the team's expertise, and the business environment.
This approach ensures methodology consensus, increasing the likelihood of delivering the project within time and budget constraints and satisfying all stakeholders.
IT project advisors can enforce standard operating procedures on project communications. Their job includes creating robust project documentation and status reports and managing meetings.
By establishing clear communication channels, standards, and processes, IT project advisory ensures effective and efficient communication among team members. It is also instrumental in keeping stakeholders informed and aligned.
An often-overlooked advantage of working with an IT project advisory service is the opportunity for knowledge transfer and skill development. Their expertise can elevate the capabilities of your in-house team, providing them with the skills necessary to manage future projects more effectively.
Are you a coffee distribution company, a specialty ingredients company, or a trading company in Dubai implementing IT projects (e.g., a website, ERP, or digital twin) as part of your business strategy? There are business consultants in the UAE who can help you with IT project advisory.
As businesses continue to leverage technology for growth, the need for successful IT project management is more critical than ever. Engaging an IT project advisory service can provide your organization with the necessary guidance, expertise, and strategic insight, ensuring your IT projects are aligned with your business objectives, are executed as planned, and deliver maximum value.
AUTHOR BIO
Ratheesh C. Ravindranathan is the Managing Partner at Affility, a comprehensive advisory services firm assisting clients in the UAE and worldwide with IT, risk and management consulting solutions. Being a specialist FinTech professional with over 20 years of experience, an MBA in Information Systems Management, Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Ratheesh is an expert at guiding through your business's digital transformation journey, Independent ERP Advisory, and Transaction Advisory for various M&As in this region.
Sign in with your Facebook account or email.