Project Management Absolute Beginner's Guide, 3rd Edition

About

Features

• Teaches crucial concepts and techniques new project managers can utilize with any project, in any environment, using any tool
• The closest thing to having one's own personal project management mentor and coach!
• Includes a section on accelerating the learning curve: techniques, tools, scenarios, and hot topics for becoming an effective project manager even faster
• The first two editions of this book earned raves for their simplicity, clarity, and real-world insight - and, above all, for their friendly, mentoring style.
• This new edition has been updated to include information on the latest web project management tools and the newest version of the Project Management Institute's PMP certification.

Description

Succeed as a project manager, even if you’ve never run a project before! This book is the fastest way to master every project management task, from upfront budgeting and scheduling through execution, managing teams through closing projects, and learning from experience. Updated for the latest web-based project management tools and the newest version of PMP certification, this book will show you exactly how to get the job done, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Project management has never, ever been this simple!

Who knew how simple Project Management could be?

This is today’s best beginner’s guide to modern project management… simple, practical instructions for succeeding with every task you’ll need to perform! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:

• Master the key skills and qualities every project manager needs

• Lead projects, don’t just “manage” them

• Avoid 15 most common mistakes new project managers make

• Learn from troubled, successful, and “recovered” projects

• Set the stage for success by effectively defining your project

• Build a usable project plan and an accurate work breakdown structure (WBS)

• Create budgets and schedules that help you manage risk

• Use powerful control and reporting techniques, including earned value management

• Smoothly manage project changes, issues, risks, deliverables, and quality

• Manage project communications and stakeholder expectations

• Organize and lead high-performance project teams

• Manage cross-functional, cross-cultural, and virtual projects

• Work successfully with vendors and Project Management Offices

• Make the most of Microsoft Project and new web-based alternatives

• Get started with agile and “critical chain” project management

Sample Content

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 3 and Index)

Table of Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................1

About This Book......................................................................................................... 2

Who Should Read This Book?................................................................................... 4

How This Book Is Organized..................................................................................... 4

Conventions Used in This Book................................................................................ 5

I Project Management Jumpstart

1 Project Management Overview.............................................................................7

What Is Project Management…Exactly?.................................................................. 8

    What Is a Project Exactly?.................................................................................... 8

    Managing Projects..............................................................................................10

    An Academic Look..............................................................................................10

What Is the Value of Project Management?..........................................................13

Why Are Projects Challenging?..............................................................................14

Growing Demand for Effective Project Managers ...............................................16

Trends in Project Management .............................................................................17

Additional Resources...............................................................................................18

2 The Project Manager..............................................................................................23

One Title, Many Roles.............................................................................................24

Key Skills of Project Managers................................................................................25

Qualities of Successful Project Managers..............................................................27

15 Common Mistakes of Project Managers..........................................................28

3 Essential Elements for Any Successful Project..................................................33

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