The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management

The all-inclusive guide to exceptional project management that is trusted by hundreds of thousands of readers--now updated and revised

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy to Read Handbook for Beginners and Pros, 6th Edition is a comprehensive guide to real-world project management methods, tools, and techniques. Practical, easy-to-use, and deeply thorough, this book gives you the answers you need now. You'll find cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of the field's leading experts, delivered in short, lively segments that address common management issues. Brief descriptions of important concepts, tips on real-world applications, and compact case studies illustrate the most sought-after skills and pitfalls you should watch out for. This sixth edition now includes:

• A brand-new chapter on project quality
• A new chapter on managing media, entertainment, and creative projects
• A new chapter on the project manager's #1 priority: leadership
• A new chapter with the most current practices in Change Management
• Current PMP certification study tips

Readers of The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management also receive access to new video resources available at the author's website.

The book teaches readers how to manage and deliver projects on-time and on-budget by applying the practical strategies and concrete solutions found within. Whether the challenge is finding the right project sponsor, clarifying project objectives, or setting realistic schedules and budget projections, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management shows you what you need to know, the best way to do it, and what to watch out for along the way.

Auteur

ERIC VERZUH is President of The Versatile Company, which provides project management training to thousands of professionals each year. His clients include major government agencies, large and small companies, and nonprofit organizations in such diverse industries as transportation, aerospace, health care, education, and information technology. EVerzuh@VersatileCompany.com

Contenu

Acknowledgments xiii About the Author xv Preface xvii Part 1 Introduction Chapter 1--Project Management: A Platform For Innovation 2 A Timeless Leadership Toolset 3 Project Management is Keeping Pace with Global Change 4 Project Management is an Essential Leadership Skillset 5 Successful Projects Deliver Value 6 The Art and Science of Project Leadership 6 A Practical Checklist for Successful Projects: How This Book Will Help You 8 Beyond the Book: Tools for Application and Continuous Learning 12 End Point 13 Stellar Performer: OrthoSpot 14 Stellar Performer: PM4NGOs 15 Chapter 2--Project Leadership: People Before Process 16 The Project Leadership Challenge 17 Build a Team Culture Suited to a Journey of Discovery 19 Temporary Teams Form Before They Perform 21 Build Personal Authority and Influence 24 Project Leaders Need Political Savvy 25 Your Decision to Lead 26 End Point 28 Chapter 3--Foundation Principles of Project Management 29 Projects Require Project Management 29 How a Project is Defined 30 The Challenge of Managing Projects 31 The Evolution of a Discipline 32 The Definition of Project Success 36 Project Management Functions 38 Project Life Cycle 40 Organizing for Projects 43 Project Managers Are Leaders 44 End Point 45 Stellar Performer: Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center 46 Chapter 4--Agile and Waterfall: Choose A Development Process 51 Defining Value: A New Lens for Judging Projects Informs the Development Process 52 Choose a Product Development Process That Delivers Value 53 Best Practices for Capturing Requirements Are Integrated into a Product Development Process 57 A Development Process is Not Project Management 58 Waterfall or Agile: Which Delivers the Best Value? 58 Common Agile Practices 63 Common Agile Benefits 65 Choosing Between Agile and Waterfall Development 67 Innovation Projects Experiment to Discover Desirability and Viability 69 Product Development Methods Influence Project Management 70 End Point 71 Stellar Performer: The Lean Startup Innovation Movement 72 Part 2 Defining The Project Chapter 5--Project Initiation: Turn A Problem Or Opportunity Into A Business Case 78 Project Initiation's Place in the Project Life Cycle 79 A Mini-Analysis Phase or a Complete Project 79 The Role of a Project Manager in Project Initiation 80 A Business Case Defines the Future Business Value 81 Business Risk and Project Risk 82 Managing Requirements is Tightly Linked to Project Initiation 82 Common Principles for Project Initiation 84 Project Selection and Prioritization 89 Basic Business Case Content 90 Designing a Realistic Initiation Process 94 Project Leadership: Focus on Value 94 End Point 95 Fast Foundation in Project Management 95 Stellar Performer: The Logical Framework Approach 96 Chapter 6--Engage Your Stakeholders and Win Their Cooperation 105 Stakeholder Focus Throughout the Life of the Project 106 Stakeholder Management is Risk Management for People 108 Stakeholder Roles on Every Project 109 Stakeholder Roles: Project Manager 109 Stakeholder Roles: Project Team 110 Stakeholder Roles: Management 111 Stakeholder Roles: The Customer 114 Affected Stakeholders Can Make Crucial Contributions 116 Engage Affected Stakeholders 118 Lead the Stakeholders 118 End Point 119 Fast Foundation in Project Management 119 Chapter 7--Write The Rules: Manage Expectations and Define Success 121 Project Rules Are the Foundation 122 Publish a Project Charter 124 Write a Project Charter 126 Responsibility Matrix 134 End Point 136 Fast Foundation in Project Management 138 Part 3 The Planning Process Chapter 8--Risk Management: Minimize The Threats To Your Project 143 All Project Management is Risk Management 145 The Risk Management Framework 147 Step One: Identify the Risks 149 Step Two: Analyze and Prioritize the Risks 153 Step Three: Develop Response Plans 159 Step Four: Establish Contingency and Reserve 165 Step Five: Continuous Risk Management 166 Unexpected Leadership 167 End Point 168 Fast Foundation in Project Management 168 Chapter 9--A Work Breakdown Structure Makes A Project Manageable 170 Defining the Work Breakdown Structure 171 Building a Work Breakdown Structure 175 Criteria for a Successful Work Breakdown Structure 177 Work Package Size 181 When Very Small Tasks Make Sense 182 Planning for Quality 183 Breaking Down Large Programs 184 Contractors or Vendors Can Provide a WBS 185 End Point 186 Chapter 10--Realistic Scheduling 188 Planning Overview 189 Planning Step Two: Identify Task Relationships 190 Planning Step Three: Estimate Work Packages 195 Planning Step Four: Calculate an Initial Schedule 201 Planning Step Five: Assign and Level Resources 208 Small Projects Need Smaller Plans 220 End Point 221 Fast Foundation in Project Management 222 Chapter 11--Manage Agile Development With Scrum 223 Scrum is a Framework 225 Scrum at a Glance 225 Managing the Product Backlog 230 Make the Plan Visible: Task Boards and Burndown Charts 232 Key Factors for Scrum to Be Effective 235 Scrum and Project Management 236 End Point 236 Chapter 12--The Art and Science of Accurate Estimating 238 Estimating Fundamentals 239 Estimating Techniques 245 Building the Detailed Budget Estimate 255 Generating the Cash Flow Schedule 262 End Point 263 Fast Foundation in Project Management 264 Stellar Performer: Tynet, Inc. 265 Chapter 13--Balance The Trade-Off Among Cost, Schedule, and Scope 269 Three Levels of Balancing a Project 270 Balancing at the Project Level 271 Balancing at the Business Case Level 281 Balancing at the Enterprise Level 285 End Point 286 Stellar Performer: Seattle Mariners Baseball Park 287 Stellar Performer: Boeing 767-400ER Program 291 Chapter 14--Managing Creative Projects: Insights From Media and Entertainment 294 Lessons from Film, Television, and Video Production 295 Lessons from Creating Video Games 299 Lessons f…