Being a musician you are working with music in many ways: you are in an ensemble, perform with a band, you work in a studio to make a cd on your own or with help of a record company, you give lessons as a teacher etc.

Project management is the simultaneous control and monitoring of all the processes needed to reach a satisfactory end result. You can split project in prepatory, development and implementation phase. In the prepatory phase you decide what you want: you turn your ideas into a concept. In the development phase you work on your plans and adjust them. In the implementation phase you actually implement your plans.

Are you starting a new project, make sure you make a plan of action thinking of the following things:

Planning
Work out how much time you will need for each phase in the project. How long does a particular task take, who is going to do it and what will be the knock-on effects if the deadline is not met? Draw up a project planning that shows clearly what has to be done or known when. Do not forget such things as closing dates for grant applications, deadlines for venues and festivals and crew availability. Is it hard for you to organize your time? Read the article timemanagement.
 
Production and facilities
What has to be organized? What facilities do you need to arrange? Are you planning to do the production by your self? Do you already have a place to work or do you need to rent a workspace somewhere? 

Budget and monitoring
Draw up a project budget and make sure that you have enough money coming in before you enter into any financial commitments. Monitor the budget closely through the project's production phase. See also money matters. 
 
Crew and duties
Make sure that all tasks and work expectations are clearly understood. Clear communication about duties and responsibilities is extremely important. Do you know who you are going to be working with? Have the contracts been drawn up? Are you aware of your obligations as an employer? Are your working relationships as you would want them? See also labour law.

Communications
Consider who needs to know what, and when. Clear communications on all fronts are vital. You have to be able to present your plans to potential investors and producers, whilst cast, crew and suppliers want to know what you expect of them. The right approach to the public is also important. For more about that, see marketing.

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