PROJECT MANAGEMENT: AN ENGINEER'S APPROACH

Project management is a very old invention. Since the beginning of time as we know it, someone had to manage building of the pyramids, the design and construction of the great ancient cities or other projects that can still be seen. Modern project management is both a "fancy" and a most needed job. Project managers have different background education and may attend specialized courses and certifications. Young engineers may be faced with the challenge of managing projects on their first job. This article aims to give young engineers working in production or research a head's up, without the pretention of being a complete guide. The theoretical issues addressed are combined with the author's personal experience as a project manager, from small projects during his studies and internships to being a manager at a middle-sized IT corporation.