Effective project management is a prerequisite for the success of IT projects and a way of ensuring the value delivered by the project

Have you ever come across IT projects that drag on, get out of hand and ultimately fall far short of their targets? Often, the reason is not a lack of technical expertise, but the absence of effective project management.

Effective project management is essential to ensure that IT projects remain under control and that the end result meets expectations. Project management is not just about coordination – it is a way of ensuring that projects progress in a clear, transparent and flexible manner. It is also a way of ensuring that a project is not merely completed, but actually delivers real value to your business.

What does project management actually mean in practice at Hurja? How does it make your day-to-day life easier as our client and help you achieve your goals? Let’s dive into the topic and see how Hurja’s project management is structured to support both you and your team.

The project manager keeps everything on track

A good project manager acts as the backbone of the team and ensures that every stage of the project contributes to the shared objectives. The project manager keeps everything under control, coordinates the team, manages resources and acts as a link between you, the team and other stakeholders. In practice, this means that you can trust that everything will remain under control and that the project will progress according to plan – even if there are surprises along the way.

The benefits of project management for our clients

Effective project management isn’t just beneficial for the team – it also brings significant benefits to you as a client. When a project is managed effectively, you can be confident that:

• You’ll receive a clear plan and schedule: every stage of the project has been carefully planned with your objectives in mind.
• You’ll stay up to date: You’ll receive regular updates on the project’s progress, and any challenges will be resolved in good time.
• Resources are used efficiently: The project manager ensures that the team has the necessary tools and resources at its disposal at the right time, in line with the project schedule.
• You have a point of contact whom you can always turn to: the project manager acts as your point of contact for all matters relating to the project. You don’t need to worry about who to contact – the project manager will sort this out for you, forwarding your queries to the right person if necessary.
• The end result meets the requirements: Strong project management ensures that every stage of the project supports your objectives and that the end product is of a high standard.

The project manager works in your best interests. In practice, their work frees you from having to manage the details, allowing you to focus on developing your business. This is also reflected in the comments made by Petteri Heimosen, Managing Director of our client PetterSteel, in his customer story. We have been developing an ERP system for PetterSteel for a long time.

The project manager’s unseen work in IT projects

The success of IT projects is therefore never down solely to technology or coding – it is a holistic endeavor in which every team member’s contribution is significant. In this equation, the project manager is the one who oversees the whole picture.

Some aspects of a project manager’s work are invisible to the client and even to the rest of the team, but they are vital: managing schedules and resources, coordinating different projects and meeting the client’s expectations are, for example, their responsibility. At Hurja, project managers also work closely with one another and exchange information on the status of their own projects, such as the future outlook for the projects and the extent and nature of the resources each project will require in the near future. This enables us to guarantee all our clients an efficient project workflow, in terms of both resources and schedule. As developers and designers may have several projects running simultaneously, someone needs to see the bigger picture and ensure that everything remains under control – while keeping everyone’s best interests in mind.

A project manager brings structure and clarity to projects which, without proper management, can easily go off the rails. They ensure that objectives are clear, communication is effective and resources are allocated correctly. This frees up developers and designers to focus fully on their own work. At the same time, the project manager keeps the client up to date, answers their questions and ensures that their needs are taken into account.

Without a project manager, there is a risk that behind-the-scenes tasks – such as coordinating resources, communication, and managing schedules and budgets – are left unattended, leading to delays, failed projects or an overburdened team. A good project manager acts as a buffer, preventing such problems before they even arise. The end result is not only a successful project, but also a satisfied client and a motivated team that can focus on doing their work without unnecessary distractions.

Key areas of responsibility for a project manager in IT projects

• Defining objectives and requirements: Successful IT projects begin with a clear requirements specification, in which the project’s objectives, key requirements and expectations are identified in collaboration with the client. This stage is particularly important to ensure that all parties are aware of the scope of the project and its business objectives.
• Project planning: Once the objectives and requirements have been clarified, the project is broken down into manageable parts, such as timelines, resources and the budget. The planning phase also involves defining risk management strategies, technological choices and the project’s main objectives. The project manager is also responsible for breaking down tasks and allocating responsibilities among the team, so that everyone is clear about their own role and responsibilities.
• Project implementation and management: The project manager oversees the implementation of the project using selected methodologies, such as agile methods, and ensures that the development team progresses according to plan. They monitor the project’s progress regularly, make any necessary adjustments and ensure that the objectives remain clear to all parties. Agile methodologies enable a rapid response to changing needs and ensure that any challenges do not delay the project.
• Resourcing and securing resources: It is the project manager’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to the project – including staff, tools and the budget. However, this is not merely an internal task for an individual project; project managers communicate with one another regarding resourcing at an organization-wide level. This ensures that every project receives the input it needs without overloading or creating bottlenecks. This division of labor is particularly important because the input from developers and experts is limited, and there must be sufficient resources allocated to each ongoing project as agreed. For these reasons, requests for additional development and similar matters are always channeled through the project manager.
• Removing obstacles: It is the project manager’s responsibility to ensure that the team can focus on its core tasks without unnecessary distractions. If the project encounters obstacles – whether these are technical challenges, a lack of resources or communication problems – the project manager takes responsibility for resolving them. This enables the team to continue its work smoothly and efficiently.
• Communication and stakeholder management: IT projects involve many stakeholders – clients, end users, the development team and any third parties. The project manager acts as a link between these stakeholders and ensures that the flow of information is smooth and transparent. They organize reviews and weekly meetings to ensure that all parties are kept up to date with the project’s progress. Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and helps the team respond quickly to changes.
• Cost and schedule management: The project manager closely monitors the project’s finances and schedule. They track the use of resources and strive to ensure that the project remains within budget. In addition, the project manager regularly assesses how the schedule is progressing and, where necessary, makes changes to the project plan to ensure that the objectives are met. It is also their responsibility to inform stakeholders of any changes to the schedule and their impact on the project.
• Quality and risk management: The project manager is responsible for quality control throughout the project and for ensuring that the final product meets the client’s expectations. In addition, they identify any risks that may arise during the project, such as resource shortages, technical problems or scheduling challenges, and draw up plans to anticipate and resolve them.
• Final review and implementation: The project manager ensures that implementation runs smoothly and that end users receive the necessary support and training. Following deployment, a final review is held to assess the success of the project and identify any potential areas for further development.
• Reporting: The project manager documents the project’s progress and results in detail. This includes regular reports on the project’s status, costs, schedule and risks, at intervals agreed with the client. Reporting helps stakeholders monitor the project’s progress and provides valuable information for future projects. Clear and consistent reporting also promotes transparency and trust among the various parties involved in the project.

General methods of IT project management

IT project management methods can be broadly divided into two main categories: agile approaches and traditional methods. At Hurja, we utilize different methods depending on the project’s needs and objectives, so that we can always ensure the best possible outcome for our clients.

• Agile methods
  • At Hurja, we often apply the Scrum framework – one of the agile software development methodologies – which brings transparency and flexibility to our projects. In Scrum, a project is divided into several sprints of equal duration, each focused on completing a limited number of development tasks within a specific timeframe. At the end of each sprint, we review the results achieved together with the client. Regular reviews and close collaboration with the client ensure that the project stays on track and that we can respond quickly to any changes.
  • Another agile visual tool that we use when necessary is Kanban. It is particularly well-suited to managing continuous workflows and prioritizing work. With a Kanban board, the team and the client can easily track the progress of the work and see what stage each task is at. Kanban supports flexibility in projects where the workload varies or priorities change.
  • Agile methods are particularly useful in complex and large-scale projects, where requirements may evolve as the project progresses. They enable a rapid response and ensure that the project continues to deliver value to the customer.
• Traditional methods
  • The traditional waterfall model is a linear approach in which the project phases – specification, design, implementation, testing and deployment – are carried out sequentially, in accordance with precise specifications drawn up in advance. This model is clear and straightforward, making it effective for small, clearly defined projects. At Hurja, we use the waterfall model, for example, in accessibility audits or small website projects where the project requirements and objectives are entirely clear from the outset.

Agile methodologies offer flexibility and continuous improvement, while the traditional waterfall model brings stability and clarity to projects where the objectives are clearly defined. We always choose the methodology best suited to the project’s needs, ensuring the best possible outcome and smooth collaboration.

How do you choose the right project model?

Choosing the right project model depends on the project’s objectives, scope and the client’s needs. At Hurja, we often use Scrum, as its agility and transparency meet the requirements of many projects. Scrum enables rapid changes of direction and continuous evaluation, making it an excellent choice for projects where requirements or usage needs may change along the way.

Scrum sprints enable the project’s progress to be monitored closely, and each phase is assessed separately, which reduces risks and ensures quality. This model works particularly well for large-scale web service projects or the development of custom-built software, where the client’s requirements may become more specific as the project progresses. However, the nature of the project may sometimes require a different approach, such as the waterfall model for implementing simple and well-defined projects.

Hurjan’s project management adds value at every stage

Communication is the cornerstone of Hurja’s project management, ensuring transparency and the client’s active involvement. We ensure that the client receives regular updates on the project’s progress and can always be confident that any challenges will be raised in good time. Our communication methods include status updates, weekly and monthly reports, and sprint reviews, all designed to ensure that the client has a realistic picture of the project’s status.

The Scrum retrospective is one of the most important tools our team uses to evaluate the insights gained during the sprint and to discuss internally what can be improved in the next stages.

Every project concludes with a final review, during which we assess, together with the client, how well the project’s objectives were achieved. This is not necessarily just a wrap-up meeting, but also an opportunity to discuss opportunities for further development and how the project supports the client’s business in the long term. During the final review, we also go through the business benefits delivered by the project and note down any ideas for further development that have already emerged, which can then be used to plan future development phases.

Why choose Hurja as your partner for your IT project?

Our project management is client-focused and flexible, which brings tangible added value at every stage of the project. For our clients, this means clear and effective communication, transparency and project management methods that ensure projects progress in line with their objectives. Our experience, expertise and commitment to a customer-focused approach guarantee that we deliver on our promises – and more.

If you’re thinking about launching a software project or need an expert partner to support your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!