Project Management for Dummies

by Portny, Stanley E.

• ISBN13: 9781118497234
• ISBN10: 1118497236
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-04-22
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

The bestselling "bible" of project management In today's time-crunched, cost-conscious global business environment, tight project deadlines and stringent expectations are the norm. Now with 25 percent new and updated content, Project Management For Dummies introduces you to the principles of successful project management and shows you how to motivate any team to gain maximum productivity. You'll learn how to organize, estimate, and schedule projects efficiently and effectively. You'll also discover how to manage deliverables, issue changes, assess risks, maintain communications, and live up to expectations by making the most of the latest technology and software-and by avoiding common problems that can trip up even the best project managers. The latest information on measuring project management ROI and value to the organization (and customers) Managing Continuous Process Improvement Examples of formats used for different aspects of project management Managing distressed projects and managing multiple team projects Hierarchical decomposition and how it can dramatically improve the effectiveness of project planning and control The latest trend of embracing the use of social media to drive efficiency and improve socialization New information on managing and resolving conflicts that occur during a project Explanations of concepts tested in the PMP certification exam with study tips and practices to help you pass Project Management For Dummies gives professionals like you everything you need to be successful project managers.

Author Biography

Stanley E. Portny is a project management consultant and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). He has provided training and consultation to more than 150 public and private organizations, and he has developed and conducted training programs for more than 50,000 management and staff personnel.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Project Management 7

Chapter 1: Project Management: The Key to Achieving Results 9

Chapter 2: Knowing Your Project’s Audience: Involving the Right People 29

Chapter 3: Clarifying What You’re Trying to Accomplish — And Why 51

Chapter 4: Developing Your Game Plan: Getting from Here to There 77

Part II: Planning Time: Determining

When and How Much 105

Chapter 5: You Want This Project Done When? 107

Chapter 6: Establishing Whom You Need, How Much, and When 143

Chapter 7: Planning for Other Resources and Developing the Budget 165

Chapter 8: Venturing into the Unknown: Dealing with Risk 177

Part III: Group Work: Putting Your Team Together 197

Chapter 9: Aligning the Key Players for Your Project 199

Chapter 10: Defi ning Team Members’ Roles and Responsibilities 213

Chapter 11: Starting Your Project Team Off on the Right Foot 235

Part IV: Steering the Ship: Managing Your Project to Success 255

Chapter 12: Tracking Progress and Maintaining Control 257

Chapter 13: Keeping Everyone Informed 281

Chapter 14: Encouraging Peak Performance by Providing Effective Leadership 301

Chapter 15: Bringing Your Project to Closure 315

Part V: Taking Your Project Management to the Next Level 327

Chapter 16: Using Technology to Enhance Project Planning and Management 329

Chapter 17: Monitoring Project Performance with Earned Value Management 343

Part VI: The Part of Tens 359

Chapter 18: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself as You Plan Your Project 361

Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Being a Better Project Manager 365

Appendix: Combining the Techniques into

Smooth-Flowing Processes 369

Index 373