Project Management: 'Your Community and Location'

Projects and Project Management are all around the world. Locations by cities, regions, countries all have their own outlooks, cultures, histories, facilities and stories to tell when it comes to projects and project management.

London is the subject of this collection. As may be seen, it has unique, extensive, diverse situations and characteristics. All the other PM locations and communities in the world are also unique! We need to know about them! And they need to celebrate themselves.

These other locations will have their own authors, advocates, ambassadors and enthusiasts. They will be young and old – experienced and setting out – with their own approaches, opinions and languages.

However they are still likely to wish to engage and encourage all those wishing to learn, live, work or pass through their location with project and project management interests, needs and outlooks – as locals, residents and from further afield.

This network of ‘PM by Community and Location’ is growing.

We would be pleased to provide links to other similar sources on similar themes.

And best wishes from ‘London’ to all authors, editors and contributors for your locations around the world.

Top Tips for Setting Up your own 'PM by Community and Location' Website

Here are some Top Tips to set up and operate a website hub of information for people and organisations interested and involved in projects and project management for YOUR community in YOUR location.

Every project is different. These guidance notes are not instructions and are largely based on experiences on the PM: London and other website and knowledge collections. But every project is different!

  1. Identify a community or location with strong or emerging credentials for projects and project management that should be better known, celebrated and appreciated – as a city, region or country. It may be YOURS!
  2. Find some enthusiasts, usually from the community or closely connected; they will have pride, energy and some availability for such a venture – as the initial resources. Might this also include a business entity, an academic institution or professional association?
  3. Identify the languages to be used – one or more.
  4. Identify the likely target users of such information. Are they just inside the community or might it be wider to attract people to the location for academia, work, entertainment, tourism?
  5. Will the likely users be reflected in the principal sections? Such as for basic information, for study, for visiting, for being members of the community, and/or other.
  6. Does all or some of the required material already exist? Is it sufficient? Is it accessible? (End of Initiative!?) Or could it be enhanced or incorporated in your initiative?
  7. Identify and collect some existing material and sources of suitable key information for example: digital and analogue, from organisations and key individuals, historic and current, static and in development, free and paid for, etc.. Is it all up-to-date, relevant and available?
  8. Devise and refine an initial overall site map or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of draft contents to accommodate the found and “missing” information.
  9. But start small and realistically with initial input of agreed material and then later build up from there.
  10. Commission the research, sourcing and writing of initial essential aspects as required – for texts, images, linked material.
  11. Identify suitable website technical expertise and available resources to define digital needs of website plus design, set-up, loading and maintaining. Consider volunteer or paid for options.  Decide if audio and video are to be incorporated.
  12. Benchmark other PM: Community and Location websites for inspirations for structures, designs, contents, etc. Plagiarise with agreement, with shared templates and/or any available support, or start from scratch. And benchmark other respected websites as well for design, functionality, dual languages. Identify other social media for links or cross-referencing plus Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
  13. Establish the commercial model. Is it all free to use? Are contributions pro bono by volunteers? Or are funds required, payments to be made, surpluses expected to be generated? Are sponsors required and advertising encouraged?  Do the templates include areas for advertising?
  14. Are outside advisers required to provide comments during development and for testing?
  15. Set a reasonable timescale to devise, produce, test, revise, launch, promote and keep developing and up to date – for available resources – then double it! Apply project management including agile techniques.
  16. Devise and implement a promotional campaign for YOUR location and community to include your website to your target audiences – via events, media, associations, academia, governments, industry, business, sponsors, alumni, presentations, flyers, etc.. Find particular milestones as primary vehicles. Be patient.
  17. Then find another community and location! Or let them find you.  Build on and share the experience.  Create, contribute, and comment.
  18. If YOU need assistance, encouragement or guidance at any stage just ask someone. Tell us of your achievements. And send us your notes.

Best wishes.

Every project is different.