Overview on Project Management

Project Management is a series of methods, frameworks, and tools that are typically owned by Project Managers (obvi), Production Coordinators, Production Managers, and Producers.  
   
 There is a lot of nomenclature that's used here  (particularly in corporate and DevOps settings).  
   
 This language might feel complicated, but it's really stuff you're probably doing anyway: 
 
 ✅ Managing Calendars 
 ✅ Managing Tasks 
 ✅ Managing Workflow 
 
 Project Management is a legit and respectable profession, but the culture surrounding it can feel opaque and career-coach adjacent. Don't be scared!  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In Project Management, there are a bunch of traditional approaches that may sound familiar to you. Here's a hierarchical chart of how these things work. There are many other project management methods, but these are the ones that appear frequently in Creative Technology processes – at least, altruistically 😉. 
 
 Overall Project Management Methods 
 
 Agile or Waterfall
 
 Frameworks for Implementing an Agile Method (Flexible, Continuous Flow) 
 
 Scrum or Kanban
 
 Sprints
 
 Tasks
 
 Tools for Managing a Method 
 
 Kanban  Boards 
 Task Tracking Tools 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Structures for Implementing a Waterfall Method (Phase Based) 
 
 Tasks within Phases
 
 Tools for Managing a Structure 
 
 Gantt Charts 
 Milestone Trackers 
 Traditional Calendars 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Contextual Example 
 You can use a series of approaches to project management within a single project. 
 
 Gantt chart to manage the overall timeline of a project – this is a  Waterfall approach to time (e.g., the pre-production phase is fixed timing of 2 months) 
 Scrum Framework to manage the tasks, a Scrum approach to manage each sprint (e.g., the pre-production scrum includes the "locations search and locations acquisition" sprints) 
 Kanban boards to manage the individual tasks (e.g., Jeff : scout Central Park then do a locations report. Tony : review all of Jeff's locations reports and create a summary for the EP. EP : confirm locations and get Jeff to confirm location acquisitions). 
 
 If this all makes sense to you, congratulations, you understand the basic concepts of Project Management.  
 Task & Project Management Tools 
 The best way to stay organized is to manage your tasks as well as manage what you own (and what you don't). You can do this using a notebook. If you don't do that already, start with that. A small upgrade from there is a checklist in a notes app. Upgrading from there is a seeming chaotic wasteland with so many products to choose from!  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The tools to manage these tasks include the following software / methods :  
   
 
 Jira  
 Trello 
 AirTable 
 Miro 
 Spreadsheets 
 Shitty Notebook.  
 
   
 Most of these tools include all of the things you need to manage a project : Kanban boards, Gantt. task mgmt, etc.  
   
 Read more about admin and management tools here .  
 
 
 
 
 I (Cam) know the vibe here is cynical, but this software is actually pretty great. AirTable is incredible. Trello is a gateway drug. Google's Spreadsheets are more of a DIY but very flexible approach, and most people speak spreadsheet. Practically, I have used spreadsheets for most situations because of that accessibility. Also, some companies manage projects using Google Slides or Keynote decks because it's a presentable format. Seems wild right? In some situations, this is actually very functional!  
 Methods for organizing tasks and managing projects is kind of like being a photographer. What's the best camera to use? The one you've got right now. What's the best tool for project management? Probably: the one your team is using right now.