Integrated project management

Integrated project management (IPM) is a holistic approach to project management that seeks to create a unified point of view of the project and its related components. It emphasizes collaboration and integration between all project stakeholders, including sponsors, project managers, project team members, resources, and customers. It places great emphasis on the need for project objectives to be aligned with the overall business objectives of the organization, and it requires the project manager to take a proactive role in ensuring that all stakeholders have the necessary information and resources to support the project's success.

Example of integrated project management

• An example of integrated project management is the construction of a new office building. In this case, there would be a variety of stakeholders involved, including the owner, the architect, the contractor, the subcontractors, the suppliers, and the project manager. Each of these stakeholders would need to work together to ensure that the project is successful. The project manager would be responsible for managing the overall project, including budgeting, scheduling, coordinating activities, and ensuring that all stakeholders are working together toward the common goal of completing the project on time and within budget.
• Another example of integrated project management is the development of a new software application. In this case, the project manager would need to coordinate the efforts of software developers, testers, designers, and users to create a product that meets the needs of the organization. The project manager would need to ensure that all stakeholders are working together to create a product that meets the requirements of the customer, while also staying within the allocated budget and timeline.
• A third example of integrated project management is the launch of a new product. In this case, the project manager would need to coordinate the efforts of marketing, production, finance, sales, and customer service teams to ensure that the product is successful in the marketplace. The project manager would need to be aware of the customer's needs, the business objectives of the company, and the timeline and budget for the launch. This would require the project manager to ensure that all stakeholders are working together to achieve the desired goals.

Best practices of integrated project management

1. Develop a Comprehensive Project Plan: A project plan should be developed that includes all aspects of the project, including goals, tasks, resources, timelines, and metrics. This plan should be shared with all stakeholders and updated regularly.
2. Establish Clear Communication Channels: Communication should be established between stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page. This includes setting up effective channels of communication, such as regular meetings and email updates.
3. Define Responsibilities and Roles: All stakeholders should have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. This will help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
4. Track Progress and Milestones: Progress should be tracked and milestones should be set to ensure that the project is on track. This will help to identify any areas where progress is lagging and can help to ensure that the project is completed on time.
5. Monitor the Overall Project Budget: The overall project budget should be monitored regularly to ensure that it is being used efficiently and effectively. This includes tracking all costs associated with the project and making sure that they are within the project's budget.
6. Utilize Risk Management Practices: Risk management practices should be utilized to identify and mitigate any potential risks that may arise during the course of the project. This includes developing a risk management plan and ensuring that it is followed throughout the project.
7. Foster Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaboration and teamwork should be encouraged throughout the project. This includes creating an environment where stakeholders can communicate and work together effectively.
8. Utilize Quality Assurance Techniques: Quality assurance techniques should be used to ensure that the project is meeting its goals and objectives. This includes conducting regular reviews and audits of the project to ensure that the quality is up to the standards set out by the organization.

When to use integrated project management

Integrated project management (IPM) is an all-inclusive approach to project management, which unifies all project stakeholders and resources to optimize the entire project process. IPM can be used in various situations, such as:

• When complex projects require coordination of multiple stakeholders and resources, IPM can help to align project objectives with the organization’s overall business objectives.
• When a project has large scope, IPM can help to manage resources, budgets, and timelines, while keeping all stakeholders informed of progress.
• When projects involve multiple teams and departments, IPM can help to establish communication channels between teams, ensuring a unified approach to the project.
• When projects have time-sensitive elements, IPM can help to ensure that all stakeholders have the necessary resources and information to meet those deadlines.
• When organizational change is required for a project to be successful, IPM can help to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page and working towards the same goal.

Advantages of integrated project management

Integrated project management (IPM) offers numerous advantages, including improved communication, enhanced risk management, increased efficiency, better resource utilization, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

• Improved Communication: IPM ensures that all stakeholders have the necessary information to effectively participate in the project. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page, which can improve the speed of decision making and increase the effectiveness of the project.
• Enhanced Risk Management: Because IPM emphasizes the integration of all stakeholders, it helps to ensure that all potential risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner. This can help to avoid costly delays or unexpected risks that could derail a project.
• Increased Efficiency: By streamlining the project management process, IPM can help to reduce the amount of time and resources required to complete a project. This can result in significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.
• Better Resource Utilization: IPM encourages the efficient use of resources, which can help to reduce waste and maximize the value of each resource. This can help to ensure that the project has the necessary resources to be successful.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Integrated project management ensures that customer feedback is taken into account throughout the project, which can lead to more satisfied customers. This can help to increase customer loyalty and build stronger relationships with customers.

Limitations of integrated project management

Integrated project management has certain limitations that should be considered before implementation. These include:

• A complex project structure is often required, which can be difficult to manage and coordinate.
• A unified view of the project can be difficult to achieve when stakeholders have different views and goals.
• The need for clear communication between stakeholders can be challenging to achieve.
• The project manager may not have the necessary authority to make decisions and take action.
• The cost of implementation may be high, as integrated project management requires significant resources.
• The implementation of integrated project management can be slow and time consuming.

Integrated project management — recommended articles

Applications of project management — Benefits of project management — Successful project management — Organizational project management — Traditional project management — Project management success — Governance of project management — Benefits of the project — Project management governance

References

• Schieg, M. (2009). Model for integrated project management. Journal of business economics and management, (2), 149-160.
• Vanhoucke, M. (2014). Integrated Project Management and Control: First comes the theory, then the practice. Springer.