If a full-fledged project management course doesn't fit your schedule or your budget, check out the new edition of 'Improving Your Project Management Skills". Based on the hugely popular American Management Association seminar of the same name, this ultrapractical reference offers powerful and repeatable project initiatives that improve processes, streamline productivity, and cut costs dramatically. You'll get tools, tips, charts, lists, and never-fail advice for: planning and budgeting; defining project scope; project scheduling; implementation; performance measurement; leadership and staff issues; work breakdown structures; alignment with business goals; risk assessment and management; communication; and, project closure. Now completely revised and updated, the book is consistent with the most recent edition of "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK[registered])" and includes dozens of current practices and real-world examples. Equal parts learning tool and workplace reference, "Improving Your Project Management Skills" puts the power of a world-class project management seminar right in your hands. Contents 6 Introduction to the Second Edition 10 PART 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOUNDATIONS 12 Chapter 1. The Core Concepts 14 Project Management Vocabulary 15 Why Project Management? 16 Classic Functions of Project Management 18 Processes in the Life of a Project 20 Knowledge Areas 21 PART 2: INITIATING 24 Chapter 2. Defining and Authorizing the Project 26 The Role of Stakeholders in the Authorization Process 27 The Business Case for Undertaking the Project 27 The Goal Breakdown Structure 29 Project Charter 33 PART 3: PLANNING 34 Chapter 3. Collecting Requirements and Defining Scope 36 The Five Processes of Project Scope Management 37 Collecting Requirements 37 Creating a Scope Statement 43 Example Scope Document 51 Chapter 4. Creating a Work Breakdown Structure 56 The Work Breakdown Structure Is an Outline 57 Considerations in Creating Work Breakdown Structures 58 The Work Breakdown Structure Is a Validation Tool 60 Work Breakdown Structures Are Flexible 63 Techniques in Creating Work Breakdown Structures 66 Verifying Scope 68 Controlling Scope 68 Chapter 5. Defining and Sequencing Activities 70 Defining Activities 70 Sequencing Activities Using Network Diagrams 71 Identifying Dependencies Between Activities 73 Defining Activity Relationships 74 Sample Network Diagram 77 Chapter 6. Estimating Activities 80 Using the Work Breakdown Structure 81 Steps in Estimating Activities 82 Estimating Methods 83 Guidelines for Estimating 84 Considering Risk in Estimating: Using Three-Point Estimates 89 Precision of Estimates 92 Duration-Based vs. Resource-Based Estimates 93 Building Contingency in Estimates 93 Improving Estimates over Time 95 Chapter 7. Scheduling Activities 96 Scheduling Activity Dates 96 Project Float 99 Accelerating Project Schedules 100 Chapter 8. Identifying Resources and Budgets 104 Identifying Resources 104 Balancing Resources 106 Creating a Project Budget 112 Chapter 9. Compiling the Major Components of a Project Plan 114 Project Charter 115 Project Scope Statement 115 Schedule Plan 116 Resource Utilization Plan 119 Budget Plan 120 Milestone Plan 120 Organization Plan 120 Risk Management Plan 121 Communication Plan 121 PART 4: EXECUTING, MONITORING, AND CONTROLLING 124 Chapter 10. Executing Projects 126 Project Kick-Off Meeting 127 Project Control 127 Project Meetings 127 Project Control Process 128 Monitoring Project Work 130 Collecting Project Information 131 Schedule Importance 131 Labor Hours 136 Data Analysis 140 Change Control 142 Sources of Change 143 Chapter 11. Monitoring and Controlling Projects 146 Establishing a Project Baseline as a Control Point 147 Measuring Performance: Earned Value Analysis 147 Chapter 12. Leading and Directing Project Teams 154 Leading Others 154 Directing Others 161 Managing Others 162 Conducting Meetings 163 Interviewing Others 167 Chapter 13. Managing Risk 172 Identifying Risk 173 Assessing and Prioritizing Risk 175 Responding to Risk 177 Acting on the Response Plan 180 PART 5: CLOSING 182 Chapter 14. Closing a Project 184 Project Closure: The Final Process 184 Ensuring Project Requirements Are Met 186 How Projects Can End 187 Administrative Closure 190 Contractual Closure 191 Initiating Project Closure 191 Lessons Learned 192 Finance and Administration Records 194 Performance Reporting 195 Staff Release 195 Appendix A: Learning Resources 196 Appendix B: Glossary 200 A 200 B 201 C 201 D 203 E 203 F 204 G 205 I 205 L 205 M 206 N 206 O 206 P 206 Q 209 R 209 S 210 T 211 U 212 W 212 Index 214 A 214 B 214 C 215 D 215 E 216 F 216 G 216 H 216 I 217 K 217 L 217 M 217 N 217 O 217 P 218 Q 219 R 219 S 220 T 221 V 221 W 221 Based on the bestselling American Management Association seminar! If a full-fledged project management course doesn't fit your schedule or your budget, check out the new edition of Improving Your Project Management Skills. Based on the hugely popular American Management Association seminar of the same name, this ultra-practical reference offers powerful and repeatable project initiatives that improve processes, streamline productivity, and cut costs dramatically. You'll get tools, tips, charts, lists, and never-fail advice for: Planning and budgeting • Defining project scope • Project scheduling • Implementation • Performance measurement • Leadership and staff issues • Work breakdown structures • Alignment with business goals • Risk assessment and management • Communication • Project closure • And much more Now completely revised and updated, the book is consistent with the most recent edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) and includes dozens of current practices and real-world examples. Equal parts learning tool and workplace reference, Improving Your Project Management Skills puts the power of a world-class project management seminar right in your hands!
If a full-fledged project management course doesn’t fit your schedule or your budget, check out the new edition of Improving Your Project Management Skills. Based on the hugely popular American Management Association seminar of the same name, this ultra-practical reference offers powerful and repeatable project initiatives that improve processes, streamline productivity, and cut costs dramatically. You’ll get tools, tips, charts, lists, and never-fail advice for:
Planning and budgeting • Defining project scope • Project scheduling • Implementation • Performance measurement • Leadership and staff issues • Work breakdown structures • Alignment with business goals • Risk assessment and management • Communication • Project closure • And much more
Now completely revised and updated, the book is consistent with the most recent edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) and includes dozens of current practices and real-world examples.
Equal parts learning tool and workplace reference, Improving Your Project Management Skills puts the power of a world-class project management seminar right in your hands!
Offers repeatable project initiatives that improve processes, streamline productivity, and cut costs dramatically. This title provides you with tools, tips, charts, lists, and advice for: planning and budgeting; defining project scope; project scheduling; implementation; performance measurement; leadership and staff issues; and, project closure.
