|
Article Directory
|
+ Authors
+ Articles
|
|
|
|
Project Management Basics for Telecom
Copyright (c) 2009-2012 Nermine Shaker
Telecom projects, like any other project, need special attention if you want the project to be successful and done on a schedule. One way to proceed on a telecom project is to hire a telecom management professional to oversee the project. Another way is to use a project management software program. There are many software programs available that cover the many facets of project planning including document management, workforce management, time/expense management, client collaboration, custom forms, knowledge management, and certified email. Either way, due to the complexity of some telecom projects, it is vital to your success to use one of these options.
Since telecom projects can involve things like site selection, surveys, permitting, and a host of other things that have to be done in a certain order, project management is vital to a successful telecom project. If you are winging it, it is likely that your work will be less than desirable and you may end up with a bungled project and an unhappy customer or even worse - an unhappy boss.
What exactly is project management? It is the managing of skills and resources to accomplish a goal. There are project management principles that can be put in place, like a template, and worked through manually or you can opt for some great software that will guide you step by step through the process. The most important thing in managing a project is that everything needs to be in writing and available to everyone on the team and all that information needs to be updated constantly as events happen.
What's the Goal?
Let's take a look at what you are trying to accomplish with project management. First, you want to make sure that you know exactly what you and your workers are doing. Who are the customers and what do they need? What do they want and most importantly what do they expect? As a company with integrity that wants a long and prosperous future, you want to make sure that everyone is clear on these points. Getting a written agreement stating exactly what your customer wants and what you will provide would be a prudent move.
Assess Your Resources
Once you know exactly what your customer wants, you have to make sure that you are prepared to meet their needs. By prepared I am referring to having the time, resources and skills to give them what they want. This is where project management really begins.
Your project management will include planning, monitoring and following every activity involved in the project. You will constantly be reexamining all tasks and activities to make sure that you haven't missed anything important. This may sound difficult but once you are rolling, you will see just how using project management principles actually simplifies things. Also, once you commit to this process, I can almost guarantee that you will use some form of project management every time you work on a new project.
Planning
In the planning phase all of the known elements will be put in writing. Sound simple? Well, it might sound simple, but it is really a complex, thoughtful job. You will be breaking down the entire project into smaller segments or tasks. You will list all tasks and then put them in the order in which they need to occur. Then you will forecast scheduling of each task to the best of your ability and give an estimated completion date for each task and for the entire project. At this point you really need to look at possible risks; meaning things that might come up that could throw the schedule off. The planning phase really does need to be comprehensive. The more thorough your plans are, the easier it is to assess risks and forecast scheduling.
Scheduling
Hopefully, when you begin scheduling you will have a great team assembled and ready to go. You need to know who will be doing what and exactly when they will be doing it. Charting is mandatory in this process. A line chart showing the task and who will do it is effective here because you can put each objective on a timeline and visually capture when it is completed.
Monitoring and Re-Assessing
When the work begins, you will be the one monitoring and controlling the events. This is a crucial step that will save you time, money and embarrassment. You will measure the progress on your timeline and if you see that things are not occurring as planned, you will need to go back and make adjustments. Maybe you underestimated the time a task would take or maybe something unforeseen came up that you hadn't figured on in your risk assessment. If you are continually monitoring and adjusting, you will find that the project will progress at a nice, predictable rate and any customer would be happy with that. When all the smaller tasks are finished, you will have completed a large project with hopefully only a few problems along the way. Now you're ready for the next big project to manage.
|
Nermine Shaker is a Partner at THE SYGNAL GROUP, a telecom consulting firm that offers telecom expense management, telecom auditing and VoIP management to businesses of all sizes. Find out how to lower your telecom expenses at http://www.SygnalGroup.com/ or visit our blog at http://www.TelecomExpertise.com/
|
Follow "The Phantom Writers" on Twitter
(@phantomwriters)
to be notified when new articles are made available.
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Business Offline Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Nermine Shaker
Why Your Business Needs A Telecom Audit
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-10-22 |
Word Count: 764 |
Page Views: 1094
| Votes: 1 |
Rating: 4.00
Every new technology brings new problems and challenges.
Much as computers introduced a whole range of compatibility
issues and headaches for early adopters, modern telecom
technologies have raised a range of new issues.
Video Conferencing -- Will It Work for My Company?
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-10-16 |
Word Count: 843 |
Page Views: 794
| Votes: 1 |
Rating: 3.00
One of the wonders of modern technology is the ability to
use audio and video services to facilitate discussions
between people in different locations. This ability, known
as video conferencing, can be a major convenience in a world
where communication across the globe is necessary.
Hosted PBX - What Is It and Do I Want One?
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-10-14 |
Word Count: 882 |
Page Views: 799
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 1.50
You know how important telecommunication services are to
your business. They let you communicate efficiently with
colleagues, workers and customers. They also allow you to
serve your customers' needs directly by giving them direct
access to your goods and services.
Understanding Your Telecom Bill
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-09-30 |
Word Count: 1271 |
Page Views: 938
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 2.67
For most business owners, just looking at your phone bill
can cause panic or dread. Instead of checking line by line
for accuracy in the invoice, you probably look at the total,
sigh, and write a check. With all the new services
available, you need to understand your invoice so you don't
get overcharged or billed for something you're not getting.
Telecom Expense Management - Spotting Telecom Billing Errors
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-09-03 |
Word Count: 932 |
Page Views: 1423
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 3.00
Whether a business has only ten employees making a few long
distance calls a day, or is a burgeoning enterprise with
hundreds of employees conducting thousands of calls and data
transfers every hour, it is important for that business to
carefully manage their telecommunication costs.
5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Telecom Consulting Firm
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-09-03 |
Word Count: 884 |
Page Views: 1606
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 1.50
With all the different aspects involved in
telecommunications for today's businesses, hiring a telecom
consultant firm is a necessity. With the advent of computers
and high-speed Internet, there are many choices for a
company's telecom needs. It is important not only to keep
up to date on the latest telecom technology but also to do
so in the most cost-effective way; otherwise, a company will
lose out in today's competitive market.
Negotiation - Basic Techniques for Telecom Expense Management
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-09-01 |
Word Count: 795 |
Page Views: 1768
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 3.00
Everyone has to negotiate at one stage or another. These
negotiations could be in the form of promotions, sales
calls, hiring, and more. For companies, negotiations are in
the form of contracts, business deals and cost management.
The rule of thumb for most negotiations remains the same
although the situation, process, and result may be
different.
Hosted PBX - Is It Right For Your Company?
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-08-28 |
Word Count: 755 |
Page Views: 1117
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 2.00
Today there is a better alternative available to the
traditional PBX phone. This alternative is hosted PBX
systems. PBX stands for Private Branch eXchange. With
traditional PBX, an incoming call can be routed through
switchboard hardware to different extensions throughout the
company. This hardware is usually kept somewhere on company
premises.
Tame Your Telecom Spending
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-08-19 |
Word Count: 872 |
Page Views: 757
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 2.00
Telecom spending can be a very large part of a company's
operating costs. Companies are always looking to keep their
costs under control and telecom spending is one of the more
difficult areas to manage.
Telecom Disaster Planning - What You Need to Know to Get Started
Written by: Nermine Shaker |
Distributed: 2009-08-05 |
Word Count: 780 |
Page Views: 691
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 2.40
What if your company couldn't use its computers for a day?
How about your phones? Any phone system outage, even if
it's a short one, could result in financial losses and
inconvenience for your business. Can you afford this
disruption? Most businesses can't.
All of Author's Articles on this site: Nermine Shaker Articles
Most Recent "Business Offline" Articles
How To Build a Strong and Powerful Business During a Recession
Written by: Trey McMartin |
Distributed: 2011-11-10 |
Word Count: 987 |
Page Views: 466
During a recession, most business owners pull the reins on
advertising budgets, fearful of what tomorrow might bring...
Those who remain fearful have forgotten what made them the
success they are today... They have forgotten that they have
a God-given talent to overcome the incredible obstacles in
their paths.
SEO Lessons from Local Businesses
Written by: Trey McMartin |
Distributed: 2011-11-09 |
Word Count: 945 |
Page Views: 871
More than once in the six years that I have been providing
SEO services for websites, I have had the opportunity to
discuss with individual business owners their search engine
optimization needs. Now and again, I run across an
individual business owner who is quick to say that SEO is
absolutely worthless. When confronted with such an absolute
statement, I like to press for details. It has been my
experience that people who speak in negative absolutes will
have a horror story to share.
Where Will FDA Target Next? What IVD Manufacturers Should Know Before Their Next FDA Audit
Written by: Norm Howe |
Distributed: 2011-09-12 |
Word Count: 706 |
Page Views: 353
Medical device manufacturers are always interested in knowing
what FDA's next area of focus will be. Well, if you're an In
Vitro Diagnostic manufacturer you might review your measurement
systems.
Online Fax - 10 Reasons To Get An Online Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins |
Distributed: 2011-09-12 |
Word Count: 560 |
Page Views: 366
Online faxing is the new more modern way to fax. If you or your
company is not using an online fax service, here are 10 good
reasons why you should get it.
Best Effort Essential for the Job Interview
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-30 |
Word Count: 676 |
Page Views: 445
Interviewing will determine if you are the right person for the
job. These tips will help you make the job interview a success.
Go Green With Your Career Search
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-28 |
Word Count: 636 |
Page Views: 361
Many of the qualities of green living, like recycling and
sustainability, can apply to a career search, even if the
career is not directly associated with green industries.
ReCareer in the Second-half of Life
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-26 |
Word Count: 525 |
Page Views: 423
| Votes: 1 |
Rating: 3.00
Many of us worked the first half of our life to "fit" the
job description. ReCareering is about finding the right fit,
being selective, being creative, being fulfilled and being
intentional about how you spend your time.
Up in the Air
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-24 |
Word Count: 678 |
Page Views: 426
When looking for work or changing careers, go beyond researching
on the internet and reading articles. Find out how you can learn
from the art of listening and having a conversation.
Salon and Spa Owners: Which Monk Are You?
Written by: Dan Lok |
Distributed: 2011-07-05 |
Word Count: 477 |
Page Views: 464
Too many salon and spa owners are carrying around a lot
hurts, regrets, guilt, past failures and fears about the
future. But no one is forcing you to carry these emotional
rocks, so put that sack down!
The Single Most Profitable Day You Spend on Your Spa or Salon!
Written by: Dan Lok |
Distributed: 2011-06-30 |
Word Count: 470 |
Page Views: 569
Salon and spa owners need to combine their marketing plan
with marketing systems. A marketing calendar plans out
strategies for a year, and is instrumental to the success of
your spa or salon.
Most Viewed "Business Offline" Articles
How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
Written by: Mark Silver |
Distributed: 2008-07-15 |
Word Count: 821 |
Page Views: 36741
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.83
There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very
own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very
alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be'
written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm...
might there be a better way to get a book written?
The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
Written by: Judy Murdoch |
Distributed: 2007-05-09 |
Word Count: 1522 |
Page Views: 33878
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 3.60
From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books.
Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises
people. Curious? Read on.
The Bizarre History Of The HOLLYWOOD Sign
Written by: Morris Timlen |
Distributed: 2008-11-05 |
Word Count: 1211 |
Page Views: 28586
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 3.32
The most famous sign in the history of mankind is the one that
graces the side of the hill above Hollywood, California. As
famous a landmark as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De
Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris France, the Great Pyramid of
Giza in Egypt, The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint
Petersburg Russia, and the Statue Of Liberty in New York City,
the Hollywood sign is known around the world as the symbol of the
American movie industry.
What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
Written by: Casey Moher |
Distributed: 2008-08-05 |
Word Count: 930 |
Page Views: 16093
| Votes: 68 |
Rating: 3.16
In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me
that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many
will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on
it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you
can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?
Selecting Between a 401(k) And 403(b) For a Nonprofit
Written by: Daniel Lamaute |
Distributed: 2007-10-11 |
Word Count: 333 |
Page Views: 6841
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.65
Newly released IRS regulations impose several new requirements
and fiduciary responsibilities on employers with 403(b) plans.
While the regulations generally don't take effect until January
1, 2009, there are some provisions that apply sooner.
Pitch A No-Hitter With Baseball-Themed Flower Gifts
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2007-12-25 |
Word Count: 413 |
Page Views: 6112
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 1.94
Want to send a gift to the baseball fan in your life that's sure
to knock one out of the park? Send flowers with a baseball
theme! Everyone loves flowers and when you personalize them to
include the recipient's favorite hobbies, like baseball,
they're sure to make an even greater impression.
Never Write A 'Thank You' Letter Again
Written by: Perry Maisin |
Distributed: 2008-08-12 |
Word Count: 971 |
Page Views: 5871
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.29
When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who interviewed at
fortune 500 companies and succeeded at landing a great job. One
day, I saw him sitting in the student union with a stack of
cards. The cards said 'thank you'. He opened each card and
signed his name. The inside of the card was blank. I asked him
what he was doing and he told me that it was important to send a
'thank you' to every person you interviewed with. He believed
that that was the difference between getting the job and being
passed over.
Conducting Effective Career Aspiration Discussions with Employees
Written by: Andria L. Corso |
Distributed: 2010-03-10 |
Word Count: 690 |
Page Views: 5332
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 1.88
Enhance your talent management and development programs
through conducting career aspiration discussions with your
employees. Find out where they want to grow their career to
determine if it matches your business needs. This will
enable you to differentiate your employee development to
grow the future leaders of your company.
The Pros And Cons Of Postcard Marketing-direct marketing offline
Written by: Cheryl Miller |
Distributed: 2006-11-29 |
Word Count: 675 |
Page Views: 4001
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 2.60
Postcard marketing is one of the oldest methods of marketing. Its
concept is simple but can be quite effective. It is just sending
out your message to your mailing list on a postcard. Postcard
marketing is a powerful and cost effective way to advertise and
will keep building in momentum when done correctly.
The Tea Room Business Plan – First Steps And Start Up Basics
Written by: Marcus Stout |
Distributed: 2007-03-22 |
Word Count: 1218 |
Page Views: 3703
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 2.63
Every venture starts with the first steps and a business plan for
a quality tea room is no exception. Well thought out first steps,
properly implemented, will pay dividends in the business
operations of the tea room in later years.
Highest Ranked "Business Offline" Articles
Why Businesses Need Receivable Factoring In Cash Flow Management
Written by: Toby Seibert |
Distributed: 2007-08-08 |
Word Count: 866 |
Page Views: 1887
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 4.60
In today's business environment, many businesses need to
fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to
improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing
challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that
must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the
business.
Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener |
Distributed: 2007-07-09 |
Word Count: 640 |
Page Views: 1550
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 4.40
What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?
Business School for Non-Business Minds: Got a NAICS Number?
Written by: Melissa Mashtonio |
Distributed: 2008-04-15 |
Word Count: 423 |
Page Views: 1637
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 4.40
I’m a journalist. I spent a lot of my career in the news
business. As my career has progressed, I’ve spent time at small
and large companies, and I have sat through dozens of business
meetings wondering what the heck the “money” people are talking
about. They used acronyms as if they were a foreign language.
The Problem With Swiping Sales Copy
Written by: Scott Bywater |
Distributed: 2009-12-03 |
Word Count: 480 |
Page Views: 1062
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 4.40
This is what people miss when they try to simply "swipe"
sales copy from another advertisement.
Equal Opportunity Pizza Ordering
Written by: Rudy Vener |
Distributed: 2007-10-19 |
Word Count: 629 |
Page Views: 1547
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 4.38
With online ordering, your menu and restaurant suddenly become
accessible to both the deaf and blind customers in your
community.
The Secret To Making Successful Business Connections
Written by: Kate Smalley |
Distributed: 2006-10-11 |
Word Count: 672 |
Page Views: 1661
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 4.00
If you have a hard time making successful business connections,
don't despair. Anyone can be good at meeting people-if they use
the right technique. The whole secret to making a positive
connection is knowing how to attract people and inspire them to
want to give you a chance.
How to Build a Really Great Business? (Super Success Secrets from a Legendary Business Master)
Written by: Chet Holmes |
Distributed: 2007-01-15 |
Word Count: 1523 |
Page Views: 1647
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 4.00
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval.
Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater
emphasis on pure performance?
Get the Balance Right
Written by: Rich Thawley |
Distributed: 2009-01-28 |
Word Count: 638 |
Page Views: 1499
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 3.91
Do you build your business around your family or your family
around your business? The choice is yours.
Online Copywriting Makes Content as the King
Written by: Steven Gerber |
Distributed: 2006-12-11 |
Word Count: 560 |
Page Views: 1671
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.86
The inverted pyramid is basically the placing of 4 W's in the
primary sentences of the articles, supported by the other W and H
on the following discussions. Four W's consist of what, when,
where, and who. The other W which stands for why on the other
hand, follows on the succeeding paragraphs, including the
elaboration for the H which also stands for how, if necessary.
Interview Coaching: A Home-Based Business on the Cutting Edge
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2007-08-24 |
Word Count: 1400 |
Page Views: 1413
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.86
You name it - Blackberry, Skype Connection, Cell Phone, iPhone -
these are the tools of this trade. Who would believe that someone
with a home-based business could reach out to someone in a far
away country and work with a client via a Blackberry and a cell
phone?
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 841
Total Views: 955
Views This Month: 28
Views Last Month: 35
Article Rating: 3.50 of 5
Votes Cast: 2
Author Overall Stats:
Times Viewed Overall: 18252
Author Rating: 2.58 of 5
Votes Cast Overall: 105
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Article Title Search:
Widow Search
Right Blinker
Google
Yahoo!
Zuula
Bing
Cuil
Last Distribution Date:
2009-09-01 09:12:00
|
|
|