Fundamental Principles of Project Management

Max Wideman wrote an article, Fundamental Principles of Project Management. It is interesting because he shows how fundamentals and practices differ. The article tells us that there is a lot of literature on how to do project management better but hardly any on the fundamental principles. He defines what a principle is and what a practice is. Knowing the definitions helps in understanding the difference between the two.

Wildeman describes what a principle in project management should contain. The criteria are as follows:

1. Express a basic concept or idea.
2. Be universally applicable if a successful project result is to be achieved.
3. Be capable of straight forward expression in one or two sentences.
4. Be self-evident to project management personnel with considerable experienced of practical project work.
5. Be capable of self-evident naming with one or two words.
6. Provide the basis for research, practical testing as to value, and the development of supporting ‘Practices’.

Wildeman goes on to give 7 Fundamentals Principles of Project Management.

1. The Success Principle
   • The goal of project management is to produce a successful product.
2. The Commitment Principle
   • A mutually acceptable commitment between a project sponsor and a project team must exist before a viable project exists.
3. The Tetrad-Tradeoff Principle
   • The core variables of the project management process, namely: product scope, quality grade, time-to-produce and cost-to-complete must all be mutually consistent.
4. The Primary Communication Channel (or Unity-of-Command) Principle
   • A single channel of communication must exist between the project sponsor and the project team leader for all decisions affecting the product of the project.
5. The Cultural Environment (or Suitability) Principle
   • An informed management must provide a supportive cultural environment to enable the project team to produce its best work.
6. The Process Principle
   • Effective and efficient policies and procedures must be in place for the conduct of the project commitment.
7. The Life-Cycle Principle
   • Plan first, then do.

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