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The Daily Insight

What methods can be used to effectively manage projects?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Mar 17, 2026

Here are five of the best that every project manager should know in order to control their projects and steer them to successful ends.

  1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Projects big and small can feel overwhelming at first glance.
  2. Gantt Chart.
  3. PERT.
  4. Critical Path Method (CPM)
  5. Kanban.

What are the five project management techniques?

No matter the specifications, though, these five project management techniques are used time and again for a reason.

  • Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) The PERT technique is widely favored because of its visualization component.
  • Waterfall.
  • Kanban.
  • Critical Path.
  • Extreme.

What is project management stages?

The 5 basic phases in the project management process are: Project Initiation. Project Planning. Project Execution. Project Monitoring and Controlling. Project Closing.

What are tools and techniques in project management?

Some of the tools and techniques that can be used in programme and project management are outlined below.

  • SWOT – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. SWOT analysis diagram.
  • Stakeholder matrix. Stakeholder matrix.
  • Cause and effect diagram.
  • Risk map.
  • Summary risk profile.
  • Decision tree.
  • Radar chart.

    What every project manager should know?

    Communication. Project managers must have strong communication skills to be able to convey messages to clients and team members.

  • Leadership. Strong leadership skills are critical for project managers.
  • Organization.
  • Negotiation.
  • Team management.
  • Time management.
  • Risk management.
  • Problem-solving.

What does a project manager do on a daily basis?

Your daily tasks as a project manager are likely to include the following: Gathering requirements, deliverables, and timeframes from stakeholders. Agreeing on priorities with clients. Planning your resources.

What makes a great IT project manager?

THE DEFINITION OF A “GOOD” IT PROJECT MANAGER IS A MOVING TARGET. The art/leader side requires strong communication, vision, and interpersonal skills; the science/manager side requires detailed knowledge of methodology and tools, plus strong analysis and problem-solving skills.

What are the three main characteristics of a project?

A project has several characteristics: Projects are unique. Projects are temporary in nature and have a definite beginning and ending date. Projects are completed when the project goals are achieved or it’s determined the project is no longer viable.

How do you control the progress of a project?

How to Effectively Measure Progress on Your Project

  1. Create a Project Outline. Working with team members to create a project outline can be a great way of tracking project progress.
  2. Establish Goals and Milestones.
  3. Check in Regularly.
  4. Ask How You Can Help.
  5. Establish Clear Deadlines.

What are tools and techniques?

A tool is a specific, tangible item such as a template or software program, used in performing an activity to produce a product or result. A technique is a defined systematic procedure to produce one or more outputs, which may also use one or more tools.

What is the first thing you do as a project manager?

As a first-time project manager, you can make sure your schedule and resources work by: Preparing a work scope statement, and a work-breakdown structure. Communicating with top management to make sure you get the resources you need. Using a tool like Office 365 for project and task management.