Project Management Basics Every New PM Needs to Know

Adriana Girdler

New to project management? Here’s what you need to know before you get started Are you a new project manager or soon to be project …

New to project management? Here’s what you need to know before you get started

Are you a new project manager or soon to be project manager looking for a breakdown of project management basics? If you want to start managing successful projects as soon as possible, there are a few basics you’ve got to understand before you get started.

Today, I’m sharing with you exactly what those basics are!

1 – Know the 5 phases

You may have heard about the 5 phases of project management. These phases include initiation, planning, execution, monitor and control, and closing. If you don’t know what each of these words mean, you’ve got to make sure ahead of time that you fully understand them. Each of these phases also has specific templates associated with them that you’ll want to make sure you’re familiar with. To have a successful project, you need to fully understand these phases and the templates that go with them.

2 – It’s all about planning

A project manager is the one who needs to put the plan in place. They need to set the tone for the project. Even though the whole team works together on the project, the PM needs to take initiative on the creation of goals, objectives, scope statements and scheduling to ensure everyone is on the same page.

3 – Have the right documents

It’s important to have the right documents to support project planning. So, the project manager must ensure they have templates like the charter template, scope template, calendars and Gantt charts. Having the right documentation not only sets the project manager up for success but sets the whole team and project up for success as well.

Where to get more information

I know it seems like there’s a lot to remember here, and that can be overwhelming. What are all these documents and templates I’m talking about? What about the lingo that you don’t yet understand? Not to scare you, but these aren’t all the basics you need to know; there’s more. But here’s the GOOD NEWS: I’ve made it REALLY EASY for you to access all you need!

I’ve put together a video for you on this topic. Not only does it include more tips (like what project terms you need to understand and who you can turn to for help throughout the project), it also includes information about WHERE you can get these additional resources so that you truly are set up for success.

So, if you need those resources, please follow me over to YouTube and watch this quick video I’ve made for you! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find everything you need to understand the basics of project management in 5 minutes. See you there!


I really hope that you found this helpful – and if you did, it would mean so much to me if you would share it on your social media.

Meanwhile, if you really are committed to mastering your next project, do consider taking my SLAY Project Management online course where I show you step-by-step how to successfully manage a project, plus you get access to every template you will need, along with detailed video instructions on how to fill them out.

-Adriana

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Adriana Girdler is a project manager, productivity specialist, entrepreneur, professional speaker, facilitator, visioning wizard, and author. As President of CornerStone Dynamics, Adriana is one of Canada’s prominent business productivity and project management specialists—helping both individuals and businesses do what they do, only better. She is a certified master black belt lean six sigma with over 20 years’ experience improving how companies work.

She also holds both PMP (project management professional) and CET (certified engineering technologist) designations. She’s a Tedx speaker, as well as a HuffPost and Thrive Global contributor. She has been interviewed on Global, CBC, CTV, CHCH, 680News Radio, Newstalk 1010, Sirius XM and published in the Globe and Mail and numerous industry magazines. WANT ADRIANA'S FREE ONLINE TRAINING? In 45 min, learn Adriana's 5 project management secrets she use on EVERY project. Sign up for the Free Webinar here: THE FAB FIVE FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

SLAY Project Management

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5 Sections and 24 step-by-step HOW TO Videos! The only 5-hour on-line course that teaches you the PRACTICAL side of project management. This course will guide you step-by-step on HOW to successfully run a project and provides you with all the templates and tips you need to be successful.

Fab 5 Fundamentals

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Why Projects Fail?

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