A project consists of a series of tasks to achieve an end goal performed by deploying manpower and resources in a given time frame. It could be a construction project, say building a housing complex or a theatre. It could be construction and commissioning of a manufacturing plant, say a bottling plant for cold drinks. It could be a software project, say computerization of a commercial bank.

A project has a leader or a manager. It is assigned a certain cost. Some activities of a project are linear and consecutive. Some run parallel to other activities. Project Evaluation and Review (PERT) and CPM (Critical Path Method) are the OR techniques to manage a large complex project.

As organisations move towards digital transformation, the importance of project and programme management is increasing. What was considered overhead back office work with heavy process is now considered a means to implement strategy. It carries corporate strategy to top management strategy to middle management strategy to implementation stage. Project management delivers outcomes effectively.

McKinsey has, in a recent study, concluded that out of the top five skills needed in this decade, one skill is project management skills.

PMI (Project Management Implementation) has been founded in IT-IBM in the 1980s which offers certification in this area. The participants are from IT, finance, construction and consultancy.

Project work is fundamental to IT. The implementation of ERP and CRM requires project management. Some models which are physical at present are converted into digital. Programme management is now a big focus for PMI.

There are teams spread across geographies, managing time zones, language and cultural diversity. A project manager leads a specific project. A programme manager considers the bigger picture, and co-ordinates with the different project teams to deliver results. It is a complex team work.

There is a technical side to project management. It involves workflows, roadmaps, schedules and budgets. There is people side consisting of communication, management of stakeholders and change management. These are more complex issues.

There is another certification in risk management. There are disruptions in work, e.g. a Covid pandamic. We have to predict disruptions and spell out the steps to overcome them. The model must have resilience.

The business has to understand the threads in the environment. The competitive scene is to be appreciated. The market must be scanned for the changes. It is all a part of business acumen.

Thus it is a trio of technical skills, HR skills and business acumen.