Unit VIII Article Critique
Best Practices in Project Management
By Joan Engebretson
Tamara Bowman (214846)
Columbia Southern University
Professor Daniela Das

Best Practices in Project Management The article “Best Practices in Project management” by Joan Engbretson (2008) covers the project manager’s responsibilities, training and certifications, and breaks into short segments the best practices in project management. The segments are as follows: (1) Entrance control; (2) Contract review; (3) Kick-off meeting; (4) Materials; (5) Documentation; and (6) Closeout (Engebretson, 2008). The responsibility of a project manager is to oversee the project from cradle to grave; time of sale to final delivery and to ensure that cost and delivery targets are both realistic and are met (Engebretson, 2008). Suggs’ work (as cited in Ghattas & McKee, 2001), The project manager must define the result, anticipate every step needed to get to that result, how long each step will take, and put the plan into place and do what is needed to maintain schedule. Project managers are vital to the success of a project. Good ones will get the project done on time within cost and will address any issues/constraints along the way.
There are many organizations that offer training and certification in project management. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is noted as desirable for project managers. I have known several people who have gotten their PMP certification; definitely worth the effort and a plus on a resume’. Along with PMP there is the Certified Security Project Managers (CSPMs). The CSPM program requires continuing education credits after certification (Engebretson, 2008). By following best practices learned during certification, project managers are well-equipped to bring a project to fruition within schedule and budget. Continuing credits help