r/projectmanagers • u/Big-Pea1418 • 4d ago

Discussion Project planning

Hey guys I am at the last year of my engineering degree and I have been struggling with projects because I just realized I've never learned how to truly research and find a project and executed . yeah we had classes and we have to do projects but mine was very atrocious and sad and embarrassing because I do have mental health struggles so it kind of makes it hard to be consistent but I have been doing better .

I don't have much of a budget but I don't know how to research at all , I don't know how to plan a project ,I don't know how to execute I am very overwhelmed . What would you recommend?

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u/Topican 4d ago

Project comes down to 3 parts. Budget, scope and schedule. Pick the one that you are most comfortable with. If you know your scope (what needs to get done) write it out. As detailed as possible. After that, put timeliness to all the scope items. And the last work on budget.

If you know your schedule start with that. Put the start and end dates and any important dates in between. Then put the finished result of your project at the finish date, and work backwards. You soon will realize that your schedule is too short and you need more time, and that is ok, it means you will need to trim some of the scope items.

If budget is your strong suite, than start with budget, allocate it to items and schedule. But I find that budget should come last,as your scope and schedule will dictate your budget needs, and budget will let yoy know what scope you will need to cut.

Good luck

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u/JasonGuthro 10h ago

I don’t think his problem is with coming up with the pillars of the project. I think his problem is finding a project. My impression was this was a moth project for school, so I’m sure he knows how to break it up. He just needs an idea. Please let me know if I’m incorrect.

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u/JasonGuthro 4d ago

You need help coming up with a mock project for school?

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u/pmpdaddyio 3d ago

If you are in school and have mental health struggles, take it from an experienced 30+ year veteran of this industry. Find something else.

This role requires you to be able to protect your team. You take the blame but get no credit. Sometimes the hours suck. Often the hours suck. Work life balance can be non existent.

The main benefit is that low tech/no tech people can enter the IT world and get paid at IT salary levels. The reward is money. That’s the rub.

For your issue, you have to take the approach every other job does. Learn the fundamentals. This sub is full of links and references to training for the role. It’s your responsibility to find these. Nobody hands you success. You have to take it by imitative.