How you can use ICT tools in project planning and management.
To first get to understand these ICT tools which can be used in project planning and management, we need to highlight on certain important aspects such as the following:
Information Communication Technology (ICT): Information and communications technology or information and communication technology,usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers,middleware as well as necessary software, storage- and audio-visual systems, which enable users to create, access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.
In other words, ICT consists of IT as well as telecommunication,broadcast media, all types of audio and video processing and transmission and network based control and monitoring functions.
Project Planning: This is part of project management which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts and other tools to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment.
Project Management: This is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals.
Tool: A device or implement, especially one that is physical in nature, used to carry out a particular function or task. Also a tool can be defined as a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose.
ICT Tools: These are tools that have an input and output and we must be able to process with it. The inputs are the tasks and the outputs are the results. All these are processed by the ICT tools. These tools can also be used in controlling and monitoring functions.
ICT tools are majorly the tools that have a core relation to technology and can be used or adopted in the project planning and management.
The main purpose of ICT in project planning and management means implementation of ICT equipments and tools in planning and management processes as a media and methodology. The purpose of ICT tools in project management and planning is generally to familiarise with the use and workings of computers, and related ICT tools.
Uses of ICT tools in Project Planning and Project Management.
There is exists a wide range of application of ICT tools in project planning and project management. These tools aid / help in the planning and management process of the project and can be used by either the project manager or the project team and also putting into consideration the management and the stakeholders of the project.
These ICT tools used in project planning and project management are as outlined below:
1. Computers.
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates / processes information or data and it has the ability to store, retrieve and process data. The computer as an ICT tool can be used to type documents, send emails, and browse the internet. It can also be used to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations and much more.
Computers can be used in project management and planning in the sense that the project plans and proposals details can be stored in the computers so as to enable easy accessibility and use. The computers can also be used to input data and store data pertaining to he project for project manager and the project team.
2. Phones.
A phone (mobile phone or telephone) is a communication device used between two or more people in two different locations (anywhere in the world now - thanks to satellite phones).It is used for two people to talk to each other. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other.
Phones can be used in project management and planning to convey the messages between the project manager, project team, stakeholders and also even the management. Phones enhance communication in the project work at very efficient, fast and reliable way.
3. Printers.
A printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. A computer printer is a computer peripheral device that produces a hard copy (permanent human-readable text and/or graphics, usually on paper) from data stored in a computer connected to it. A printer is used to print anything that you want, like pictures or documents or data.
Printers can be used in project planning and management in the process of printing the blueprints, proposals and project documents for project undertaking.
4. Scanners.
This a device that optically scans images, printed text,handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of thedesktop (or flatbed) scannerwhere the document is placed on a glass window for scanning.
Scanners can be used in the process of scanning documents and sending them to the necessary and appropriate stakeholders of the project undertaking.
5. Fax Machines.
A fax (short forfacsimileand sometimes calledtelecopying) is the telephonic transmission of scanned-in printed material (text or images), usually to a telephone number associated with a printer or other output device. The original document is scanned with a fax machine, which treats the contents (text or images) as a single fixed graphic image, converting it into a bitmap. In this digital form, the information is transmitted as electrical signals through the telephone system. The receiving fax machine reconverts the coded image and prints a paper copy of the document.
Fax machines are used in project planning and management to send the necessary project details to project stakeholders over a long distance at a faster speed and time.
6. Internet.
The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
In project planning and management, the internet can be used to do / conduct online research on the project being undertaken by the project team so as to get the necessary information and details pertaining to the undertaken project.
7. Projectors.
Projector is a device designed to take an image from a video source and project it as faithfully as possible onto a screen or other surface. An object used to project rays of light, especially an apparatus with a system of lenses for projecting slides or film onto a screen.
In project planning and management, the projectors are used during the presentation sessions of the project undertaking so as to create a general view to the audience on a wider perspective of what the project entails.
8. Cameras.
A device for recording visual images in the form of photographs, movie film, or video signals. A device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies.
In project work, the cameras can be used to take sample pictures of the project undertaking and use the them to monitor the project progress and scope.
9. Interactive Whiteboards. (IWB)
This is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen,finger,stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.
Interactive whiteboards play a major role in project management and planning in that they are greatly used / utilized in the presentation sessions of the project to the relevant audience and stakeholders who have major interest in the project undertaking.
10. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
A palmtop computer, orpersonal data assistant,is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an electronic visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet,intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.
The PDAs are greatly used in project planning and management by the project managers to convey information due to their portability in nature.
11. Application Software’s.
These include the applications such as Microsoft Office, Access, Word and PowerPoint. Also project management software such as SPSS. Application software and tools are greatly utilized in the whole of the project work from planning to the management phases of the whole project. From the documents being prepared by these softwares and tools to the final output.
Conclusion.
In summary of all these, there is an existing relationship in the integration of ICT tools in project planning and management. These tools have made / aided in simplifying the tasks of project planning and management. Also they have made the project very much accessible and efficient.
To first get to understand these ICT tools which can be used in project planning and management, we need to highlight on certain important aspects such as the following:
Information Communication Technology (ICT): Information and communications technology or information and communication technology,usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers,middleware as well as necessary software, storage- and audio-visual systems, which enable users to create, access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.
In other words, ICT consists of IT as well as telecommunication,broadcast media, all types of audio and video processing and transmission and network based control and monitoring functions.
Project Planning: This is part of project management which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts and other tools to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment.
Project Management: This is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals.
Tool: A device or implement, especially one that is physical in nature, used to carry out a particular function or task. Also a tool can be defined as a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose.
ICT Tools: These are tools that have an input and output and we must be able to process with it. The inputs are the tasks and the outputs are the results. All these are processed by the ICT tools. These tools can also be used in controlling and monitoring functions.
ICT tools are majorly the tools that have a core relation to technology and can be used or adopted in the project planning and management.
The main purpose of ICT in project planning and management means implementation of ICT equipments and tools in planning and management processes as a media and methodology. The purpose of ICT tools in project management and planning is generally to familiarise with the use and workings of computers, and related ICT tools.
Uses of ICT tools in Project Planning and Project Management.
There is exists a wide range of application of ICT tools in project planning and project management. These tools aid / help in the planning and management process of the project and can be used by either the project manager or the project team and also putting into consideration the management and the stakeholders of the project.
These ICT tools used in project planning and project management are as outlined below:
1. Computers.
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates / processes information or data and it has the ability to store, retrieve and process data. The computer as an ICT tool can be used to type documents, send emails, and browse the internet. It can also be used to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations and much more.
Computers can be used in project management and planning in the sense that the project plans and proposals details can be stored in the computers so as to enable easy accessibility and use. The computers can also be used to input data and store data pertaining to he project for project manager and the project team.
2. Phones.
A phone (mobile phone or telephone) is a communication device used between two or more people in two different locations (anywhere in the world now - thanks to satellite phones).It is used for two people to talk to each other. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other.
Phones can be used in project management and planning to convey the messages between the project manager, project team, stakeholders and also even the management. Phones enhance communication in the project work at very efficient, fast and reliable way.
3. Printers.
A printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. A computer printer is a computer peripheral device that produces a hard copy (permanent human-readable text and/or graphics, usually on paper) from data stored in a computer connected to it. A printer is used to print anything that you want, like pictures or documents or data.
Printers can be used in project planning and management in the process of printing the blueprints, proposals and project documents for project undertaking.
4. Scanners.
This a device that optically scans images, printed text,handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of thedesktop (or flatbed) scannerwhere the document is placed on a glass window for scanning.
Scanners can be used in the process of scanning documents and sending them to the necessary and appropriate stakeholders of the project undertaking.
5. Fax Machines.
A fax (short forfacsimileand sometimes calledtelecopying) is the telephonic transmission of scanned-in printed material (text or images), usually to a telephone number associated with a printer or other output device. The original document is scanned with a fax machine, which treats the contents (text or images) as a single fixed graphic image, converting it into a bitmap. In this digital form, the information is transmitted as electrical signals through the telephone system. The receiving fax machine reconverts the coded image and prints a paper copy of the document.
Fax machines are used in project planning and management to send the necessary project details to project stakeholders over a long distance at a faster speed and time.
6. Internet.
The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
In project planning and management, the internet can be used to do / conduct online research on the project being undertaken by the project team so as to get the necessary information and details pertaining to the undertaken project.
7. Projectors.
Projector is a device designed to take an image from a video source and project it as faithfully as possible onto a screen or other surface. An object used to project rays of light, especially an apparatus with a system of lenses for projecting slides or film onto a screen.
In project planning and management, the projectors are used during the presentation sessions of the project undertaking so as to create a general view to the audience on a wider perspective of what the project entails.
8. Cameras.
A device for recording visual images in the form of photographs, movie film, or video signals. A device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies.
In project work, the cameras can be used to take sample pictures of the project undertaking and use the them to monitor the project progress and scope.
9. Interactive Whiteboards. (IWB)
This is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen,finger,stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.
Interactive whiteboards play a major role in project management and planning in that they are greatly used / utilized in the presentation sessions of the project to the relevant audience and stakeholders who have major interest in the project undertaking.
10. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
A palmtop computer, orpersonal data assistant,is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an electronic visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet,intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.
The PDAs are greatly used in project planning and management by the project managers to convey information due to their portability in nature.
11. Application Software’s.
These include the applications such as Microsoft Office, Access, Word and PowerPoint. Also project management software such as SPSS. Application software and tools are greatly utilized in the whole of the project work from planning to the management phases of the whole project. From the documents being prepared by these softwares and tools to the final output.
Conclusion.
In summary of all these, there is an existing relationship in the integration of ICT tools in project planning and management. These tools have made / aided in simplifying the tasks of project planning and management. Also they have made the project very much accessible and efficient.
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