Environment plays an important role in the existence and survival of human beings. A healthy environment full of forests not only makes our surroundings pleasant but also provides us various other benefits. Unfortunately, a large number of forests have been cut down in the past few decades due to increase in the world’s population. This has resulted in an increase in the temperature of earth. The government of various countries has stepped forward to ensure health living by growing new forests and plants. When it comes to the forests then only one name comes in our mind that is NSW state forests which are considered as the best managed forests in the world.

NSW forests are managed in such a way to not only ensure the provision of forest products but also give a healthy environment to our ancestors. These forests have been managed by following the latest forest management standards. The guiding philosophy behind these forests is the ecologically sustainable forest management (ESFM). It involves various strategies and action plans for maintaining the forests.

The success of NSW forests lie in the fact that they are being monitored by highly skilled and experienced professional who follow the Australian Forestry Standard – AS 4708:2007 (AFS). These professional are certified and registered foresters that ensures the growth of high quality timer and other forest products not only for meeting the current needs but also the future needs. Australian forestry standards have been adopted by various other countries for promoting the growth of forests in their country. Apart from the general maintenance, a team of professionals are also hired to save NSW forests from any type of damage caused due to fire, pests, domestic grazing etc.

NSW forests are monitored by following the environmental management system (EMS) which is certified to ISO 14001 standards. These standards measures and supervise the environmental performance. The management of NSW forests adopts continual improvement cycle for ensuring the continuous improvement. This cycle basically consists of 4 main steps. In the first step, action plan is made in order to improve those areas which need any upgrading. In the second step, the action plan is being implemented. It is then evaluated and analyzed in order to measure the success rate. If the plan gives required results then the plan is being followed on permanent basis. The main purpose of using this improvement lifecycle is to enhance the productivity per acre of land.

NSW forests are contributing a lot towards the economy of the country. Apart from saving the environment, it has provided a health place for recreational activities. It has promoted green trend throughout the world. People quote the NSW forests for explaining the advantages of an efficient management system. The local and federal government has helped a lot in making NSW forests what they are now.

According to the recent statistics, NSW forests contributed $38 million towards the economy. These forests gave rise to social development, economic development, nature conservation and natural heritage. NSW forests are an example of efficient management and people of Australia are proud of it.

Whenever we define the duties of a project manager then we simply say that he is the one who plans, organizes and controls the resources required for completing a project successfully but have you ever thought about the human nature of a project manager?  Apart from planning, controlling and leading, a project manager should also behave humanly with his team. Although, it seems a little thing but it has a great impact on the working and efficiency of all the team members.

Project Manager Should Remember the Human Element

Team work is the essence of a project management. A project manager have to work efficiently in a team environment and this can only be done by keeping in mind the human element of his personality. By a human element, I mean to say that he should do planning, organizing and leading by keeping in mind that being a human being his team members may have some limitations. I have personally seen various project managers who make unpractical strategies that are impossible to achieve. This not only increases stress and de motivation among the team members but also decreases their efficiency.

Thinking and Acting on Human Grounds

Now when we have come to the point that it is very important for a project manager to behave humanly then the next question arises that how can a project manager think and act on human grounds? Following are some the things by doing so you can ensure a good humanly relationship with you team.

Understanding the Problems of Team Members

The most important thing you need to do is, understanding the problems of your team members as it will increase their confidence. You need to understand their personal as well as professional problems that may create hindrance in their work. By doing so, your employees will feel honored and happy on getting so much importance.

Know About the Psyche of Team Members

If you actually want to get your required results within minimum time then you need to know the psyche of every team member so that you may treat them according to their nature. You may divide your team members on the basis of their personality. Every person has specific skills and abilities and you have to take benefit from those skills. This is only possible when you know about your team members in depth.

Be Practical

The stamina of every person is different from the others. If one person can perform any task within 30 minutes then it is not necessary that the other person will also do it within the same time. You should divide the job tasks according to the working capacity of every individual. Setting an impractical goal has more harms then benefits. You should have a practical approach towards everything.

Good Communication

The success of a project mainly depends on an effective communication so being a project manager; you should have excellent communication skills. Instead of using a third mean, you should directly communicate with all your team members as it will decrease the chances of any misunderstanding about the project.

Encourage the Team Members

An efficient project manager is the one who encourages his team members to share their ideas and thoughts for improving the whole process. It has two benefits. Firstly, it will increase the confidence of team members and secondly it will help you to get innovative ideas.

Avoid Bossy Attitude

By a bossy attitude, I mean that you should not misuse your power against the team members. Some of the project managers force the team members to follow their decisions without listening to them. You should avoid doing so.

Why Choose Residential Buildings than a House?

The choice between having apartment over a house is a daunting one to make. This is why you have to be careful in making the final decision. Here are some the things you may want to consider whenever you need to choose between having apartment rather than a house.

1. Know your priorities.

   Selecting between having an apartment or house is not always about taste. People have several reasons in choosing one option above the other and the most probable cause depends on their priorities. Some find it comforting to be liberated by not disturbing anyone while some want to have accessible neighbours who are just another step away who can be relied upon whenever they need something.

2. Identify your requirements.

   Your requirements might be different from others. That is why you have to know yours for you to make choices that can satisfy your needs. The best options come with those that are able to provide you exactly with your required qualities and capabilities.

3. Compare each option.

   To help you figure out which option might best suit your needs, you have to look at the pros and cons.

   • Security – Be certain you have chosen the one that can secure you and your family. Some find having a house is more secure than living in an apartment because you can be free inside your home. While some feel more secure with apartments because security services are included in it.
   • Privacy – If you do not want other people to intervene in your life then you have to make sure to choose the one that can protect your privacy. Living in an apartment can trim down your privacy. One step and you are in the neighbouring apartment by which almost all of your conversations will be heard unless you are talking in minimum and the walls are sound proof. Otherwise, you have to make sure that you are aware of what you are doing and what you are saying.
   • Cost – Apartments offer less maintenance cost because you do not have to spend on maintaining your garden, your dining or even your living room. Moreover, you are not the one that will shoulder repairs whenever necessary because the landlord will do it for you.
   • Convenience – In terms of convenience, people might include different factors to consider. Like for instance, the location can bring you convenience if it would be just a walk away from the city or from work.

People have different needs, priorities and preferences by which determine their choice for which between having a home or apartment is more suitable or not. Be guided by these points for you to find sure fire satisfaction in your investment.

Contingency planning

Basically, this option entails having a Plan B or a “just in case” plan. If you have a good contingency plan, you’ve already significantly minimised the risk if something goes wrong in the original plan. For example, choosing a preferred supplier is one thing but it is also important to have the contact details of other suppliers who offer the same product even if they charge slightly higher rate.

Risk Mitigation

If it is possible to reduce risk, it is important to do so. Risk mitigation involves making a judgment based on the probability of success of failure of a project. This method also foresees the consequences for the project or company if something goes wrong. It can be the loss of time, loss of money, or loss of manpower. Risk mitigation tries to minimise the losses associated with these.

Risk Monitoring

Having an adequate system that tracks risks probability can be highly beneficial. In order to be effective though, the system should also be flexible enough to evaluate the probability at different stages of the project. Monitoring entails accepting a level of deviation from the initial plan; in essence, the project manager determines whether the variance is acceptable.

• Plan – once you know which tasks have to be given priority, the next step is to plan on how to accomplish these. This involves getting all the necessary resources including team members, tools, and equipment for the task to push through.
• Delegate – if you’re in a position to delegate, do it. Routine tasks can be handled by your subordinates, which will give you time to think, strategise, and focus on the things that really matter.
• Set Deadlines – this is especially important in project management. Whatever task you’re working on, having a deadline will ensure that the project will be completed with some time to spare.

People with certain personalities, especially the creative types, may sometimes lack organisational skills. With these tips though, it shouldn’t be a hindrance in letting you achieve your potential.

Project Cost Management includes the processes involved in estimating, budgeting and controlling costs so that the project can be completed within the approved budget. The budget is the most important single measure of project performance, and in the end, schedule and quality are reducible to budget. The briefing and design process carried out during the Scope Management process of the project effectively sets the budget.

The reduction of uncertainty through time has an important effect on the project budgets. Budget estimates made early in the project life cycle are relatively inaccurate compared to those made later as more information becomes available regarding the precise work to be done and the current market level of prices.

The Project Cost Management process includes the following:
1. Estimate Costs – The process of developing an approximation of the monetary resources needed to complete project activities;

2. Determine Budget – The process of aggregating the estimates costs of individual activities or work packages to establish an authorized cost baseline; and

3. Control Costs – The process of monitoring the status of the project to update the project budget and managing changes to the cost baseline.

These processes in practice may overlap and interact with each other as well as with other project management processes. On some projects, especially ones of smaller scope, cost estimating and cost budgeting are so tightly linked that they are viewed as a single process that can be performed by a single person over a relatively short period of time.

1. ESTIMATE COSTS
Estimate Costs is the process of developing an approximation of the monetary resources needed to complete project activities. Cost estimates are a prediction that is based on the information known at a given point in time. The reduction of uncertainty through time has an important effect on project budget estimates. Budget estimates made early in the project life cycle are relatively inaccurate compared to those made later as more information becomes available regarding both the precise work to be done and the current market level of prices.

Estimate Costs – Inputs
The following information is generally required for formulating project estimate costs:
Scope Statement (refer to Scope Management lecture notes);
Work Breakdown Structure (refer to WBS lecture notes);
Project Schedule – the type and quantity of resources and the amount of time which those resources are applied to complete the work of the project;
Human Resource Plan – project staffing attributes, personnel rates and related rewards/recognition;
Risks – can be either threats or opportunities that typically have an impact on both activity and overall project costs;
Enterprise Environmental Factors – Market Conditions (regional and/or global supply an demand conditions) and Published Commercial Information (resource cost rate from commercial databases);
Organizational Process Assets – Cost estimating policies, cost estimating templates, historical information and lessons learned.

Estimate Costs – Tools and Techniques
Expert Judgment – guided by historical information, provides valuable insight about the environment and information from prior similar projects;
Analogous Estimating (Unit Rate) – uses values of parameters from a previous, similar project as the basis for estimating the same parameter or measure for a current project (eg scope, cost, budget, size, duration). Used when there is limited amount of detailed project information. This process generally less costly and less time consuming than other techniques, but also less accurate;
Parametric Estimating (Ratio Analysis) – Uses a statistical relationship between historical data and other variables to calculate an estimate. For example, construction costs at $2,000/m2;
Bottom-Up Estimating (Bill of Quantities) – method of estimating components of work or activities with the greatest level of specific detail;
Reserve Analysis – Cost estimates include a contingency allowance to account for cost uncertainty;
Cost of Quality – Assumptions about costs of quality may be used to prepare the activity cost estimate;
Three Point Estimates – Provide a three point cost estimate between a ‘best case’ scenario (pessimistic), a ‘worst case’ scenario (optimistic) and most likely (mode or central estimate) outcome. Uncertainty is progressively reduced through time as more information is acquired:
Trade Input – Approach the market to provide quotations for work packages. Depending on the level of information and documentation available (scope) will influence the accuracy of the quotes received.
Project Management Estimating Software – Project management estimating software applications, spreadsheets, simulation and statistical tools are becoming more widely accepted to assist with cost estimating. Such tools can simplify the use of some cost estimating techniques and thereby facilitate rapid construction of cost estimate alternatives.

Estimate Costs – Outputs
Cost Estimates – The quantitative assessment of the probable costs for all activities required to complete the project work.
Basis of Estimates – The amount and type of additional details supporting the cost estimate. Eg, documentation used, assumptions made, known constraints, exclusions.

2. DETERMINE BUDGET
Determine Budget is the process of aggregating the estimates costs of the individual activities of work packages to establish an authorized cost baseline. A Budget is a quantitative expression of management’s plans. Both implicitly and explicitly it represents the intentions and objectives of management to all levels of the organization and provides a vehicle for monitoring the implementation of plans. It enables management to assess the adherence of individuals and organizational components to the goals stipulated in the plan and thereby to provide a quantitative basis for measuring and rewarding individual and departmental performance.

Basic Features of a Budget
1. A budget will reflect a financial plan, which in turn reflects the goals set by senior management for their organization,
2. A budget will be expressed in time phased and measurable terms with specific elements of work so that performance along the way can be determined,
3. All individual elements of the organization will be aware of their portion of the overall grand budget,
4. Performance against budgets will be monitored by management and reviewed periodically with each organizational segment.
5. Good and/or bad performance against approved budgets will be rewarded and/or disciplined by management.

Contingency
The provision of amounts in a budget so as to provide for the inclusion and subsequent costing of an activity, that can not be accurately pre-assessed, or estimated, using any other formal manner. A “guessed” allowance that will require the input of management in establishing the cost/s incurred in executing that activity at a later date

Cost Performance Baseline
The cost performance baseline is an authorised time-phased budget at completion (BAC) used to measure, monitor and control overall cost performance on the project. It is developed as a summation of the approved budgets by time period and is typically displayed in the form of an S-curve.

3. CONTROL COSTS
Control Costs is the process of monitoring the status of the project to update the project budget and managing changes to the cost baseline.

Project cost controls include:
Influencing the factors that create changes to the authorised cost baseline;
Ensuring that all change requests (variations) ar acted on in a timely manner;
Managing the actual changes when and as they occur;
Ensuring that cost expenditures do not exceed the authorised funding, by period and in total for the project;
Monitoring cost performance to isolate and understand variances from the approved cost baseline; and
Monitoring work performance against funds expended.

Cost to Complete
Identifying areas of future risk with the intent of eliminating them so as to more accurately predict the cost outcome.

REFERENCES

1. PMI (2008), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 4th Ed, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA.

The video is also available on Vidz.com.au,

www.vidz.com.au/video/2409/Steven-Macdessi–Project-Manager

Date: February 2010

Steven Macdessi holds a part time lecturing position with the School of Built Environment at the University of Technology Sydney for 2010.

The subjects lectured by Steven Macdessi include Site Management, Site Establishment, Quality Management, Time Management and Human Resource Management.

The theory combined with Steven Macdessi’s years of industry experience in project management is designed to give the students of this class a practical application to the fundamentals of project management in construction.

http://datasearch.uts.edu.au/dab/staff/details.cfm?StaffId=8427

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