Digital project management (DPM) predominantly takes place online and involves combining multiple technologies which requires an in-depth knowledge of the online world.
Essentially, it is the use of technology and digital tools to plan, organise, and oversee projects.
It involves creating detailed project plans, facilitating team collaboration through digital platforms, employing agile methodologies, and utilising data for tracking and reporting to ensure both efficient project execution and delivery.
Why choose digital project management?
Choosing Dapth to manage your digital projects will benefit both your project and organisation - as we have comprehensive experience in managing digital projects and will bring this expertise to the forefront.
If you choose Dapth as your digital partner, we will manage the various resources throughout the digital project.
Our digital project management offering
We will effectively project manage your digital project, from discovery through to implementation and post-implementation analysis, using best-in-practice management tools to increase organisational performance and success. We use collaboration, communication, timesheets, checklists, asset management, and calendar-based tools.
Benefits of digital project management
There are several key benefits to digital project management, including:
- Adaptability – DPM supports agile methodologies – which allows teams to adapt to the ever-changing requirements of projects
- Efficiency – Faster execution of projects, streamlines project processes, reducing manual tasks and paperwork.
- Transparency – data and progress reports are easily accessible which provides clear project insights
- Collaboration – digital tools facilitate real-time remote communication, enhancing teamwork regardless of staff location
- Informed decision-making – DPM provides data-backed decisions, allowing teams to track progress, identify issues, and make necessary adjustments
- Resource optimisation – Digital tools help allocate and manage resources more effectively, reducing waste and optimising project budgets.
- Continuous improvement – Data analysis and feedback mechanisms foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Alternatives to digital project management
Traditional project management methods can be used as an alternative to digital project management. There are many alternatives to digital project management such as traditional project management, for example, Waterfall or Critical Path Method (CPM). They’re more sequential and have been used for decades throughout certain industries.
DPM is a project management approach that involves having a project plan and timeline in project management software. It also involves a team working together online and making changes based on agile methods. Additionally, DPM involves using data to track progress and report. Essentially, DPM leverages the digital landscape to streamline project processes, enhance communication and ensure project delivery is efficient Some key aspects include:
Project planning
This is the most crucial aspect. Create a plan, define your scope and the work breakdown structure for successful execution. The plan should identify the steps and resources needed to reach the objectives.
Resource management
Effective resource management involves the scheduling and allocation of tasks and resources, to the best-qualified members within the project's budget. Project resources play a vital role in moving a project from the 'raw stage' to completion. Some examples of project resources include people, information, tools, money and time.
Communication
Clear, effective communication is vital to project success. A communication plan is essential before beginning a project. It’s crucial to identify the key stakeholders involved and communication channels to be used.
- Encourage and respond to team member questions
- Provide frequent project updates to both stakeholders and the project team
- Use team communications software and online collaboration tools, especially to facilitate remote team communication
- Waterfall –Working best for simpler projects which can be broken down into logical steps, this approach involves finishing one phase before moving onto the next.
- Agile – This methodology breaks down the project into ‘sprints’ – smaller phases, working best for complicated and technical projects.
- Kanban – Uses a visual board and cards on the ‘Kanban’ that team members work through to track project tasks and progress, works best for chaotic and small projects
- Scrum – Ideal for complex projects, it divides work into short sprints for easy management and tracking of tasks.
Digital projects can be either narrow or wide. Narrow projects are small in scope and could include software development, digital marketing, website design, and search engine optimisation. Wide projects, on the other hand, are larger and continuous, and often lead to more projects. Examples of wide digital projects include process transformation, domain transformation, and business model transformation projects.
Digital project management doesn’t have to be difficult. When done well, it is an opportunity for both the client and the agency to steer success. However, a common issue in digital project management is lack of strategy. These types of projects require careful thinking, forethought, and team collaboration.
Here are some tools that can help:
- Gantt Charts: These bar graphs visually depict all project activities on a timeline, with dependencies and milestones broken up into phases. Digital versions can be updated easily (often automatically and shared among the project team).
- Kanban boards: These visualise the workflow by representing activities as cards and defining each production cycle phase as a column. Digitising Kanban boards means not everyone has to be there physically to update them.
- Project calendar: Stakeholders can use this to stay updated on progress, and project teams can check to ensure they’re meeting deadlines.
- Task lists: These are helpful for tracking things you need to do over the course of the day or long term and are a helpful tool for charting work that a team member must complete by the end of the day.
Digital project managers are responsible for assigning tasks, setting deadlines, meeting regularly with the team and stakeholders, and working to remove any bottlenecks that slow down work. They are also equipped to handle conflict resolution; just as traditional project managers do.
The role of a digital project manager is crucial as they act as a bridge between all the stakeholders involved in a project. With their expertise, they can achieve optimal results that may not be possible otherwise. From conceptualisation to planning, execution, and testing, digital project managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project until it is delivered to the end user.
Managing a digital project involves overseeing the subject matter experts on your team to ensure that they deliver on the items that your digital project is executing. A digital project manager's role is to ensure that the project is completed within the given timelines, budget, and quality standards while ensuring that the team stays productive.
What are the benefits of partnering with Dapth?
- Our digital team will lead and implement your project from beginning to end – no outsourcing anything.
- We proactively teach you how to manage your own website, removing the reliance on us or any web developer.
- When you are ready to evolve your website and execute on your strategies, the same team are ready to partner with you.
What is the next step?
Talk to us and see how we can transform your digital projects to the next level.
Are you ready to take the next steps towards your digital revolution? Contact us today to set up a free consultation and see how we can transform your digital projects to the next level.
Enough about us.
Is it time for a coffee?
