The following are some of the good rules of project management that a project
manager should abide to when managing a project:.

• Knowing What is Going On
  – A project manager must know, understand and be able to grasp what the
  project is all about before making any critical decisions which may affect the
  project. This is because many project managers do not know or understand the
  projects which they are managing.
   
• Taking Responsibility for Success or Failure of Project
  – Being a project manager requires one to take numerous responsibilities, such
  as being the mediator, the one who is being blamed, the pacifier, the slave
  driver, the unreasonable, and many more. The project manager should be the one
  to accept the responsibilities should the project encounter problems or
  difficulties.
   
• Having a Good Work Breakdown Structure
  – It is important for the project manager to have a good work breakdown
  structure (WBS) because it is the most critical document to keep projects
  right on track and not lose its focus during the implementation stage.
   
• Controlling the Project
  – Controlling the project after the planning stage will determine its outcome
  and success. Project managers are advised to use methods which are most
  comfortable to them, because it would be of no point when they do not know how
  to control the problems although the best methodologies are being adopted.
   
• Performing Cost Management
  – It is essential for the project manager to manage the project as accordingly
  within the given budget so as to ensure that the allocation is not overshot
  and problems would not be encountered when it comes to collection of payment.
   
• Identifying and Determining the Criteria and Expectations of Project
  team Members
  – As a project manager, one would have to determine and list down the
  expectations of the team members as well as the criteria that they consider
  and look for in a project, such as costs, time, usability, or other factors.
   
• Getting Sign-Offs
  – Sign-offs should always be obtained, be it for a phase or for requirement
  documents, as it depends on how projects are implemented and the type of
  deliverables in the particular organization. A sign-off serves as a good
  compass to let the project manager know that something is not right with the
  project, especially if he/she is unable to obtain a sign-off.
   
• Gaining Experience through Communication with Upper Management
  – Project managers should also harness the opportunity to approach the senior
  project managers, asking them about existing project problems within the firm
  and getting their input on how to proceed on with the project
   
• Reducing Use of Emails
  – As project management involves a lot of coordination and communication, and
  hence, it is only sincere that appointments and negotiations be made through
  phone calls. Emails should only be used for distribution of information as
  clients or anyone involved with the project, as most people do not fancy being
  confronted or corrected through mass emailing.
   
• Understanding Culture and How Projects are Managed
  – For a project manager who is managing and dealing with a project that
  involves cross-country resources, it would prove crucial to spend some time
  understanding the differences in culture and how projects are being managed in
  that country. In respect to this, the project manager would first have to
  understand how others work before forcing your way through.
   
• Maintaining Spirit of Integrity
  – Project managers would always have to maintain their integrity to ensure
  that projects can be successfully carried through, particularly when the going
  gets tough, difficult decisions would have to be made, and pressure is abound.

Source: Business Computing, Computimes, the News Straits Times newspapers,
19th February 2004