You've been given a project to run. You know you need to get it right, but you don't know what you need to do and in what order to make sure it all runs smoothly and you come out of it looking great. You need Project Management Step by Step.
Almost every manager and businessperson finds at some time they need to complete a task that has sufficient complexity and importance that an ad-hoc approach to getting it done is just not enough.
Managers in this common situation need the structure and rigour of a project management approach, yet very few managers are formally trained in project management or have the inclination, time or finances to become trained. They need an approach they can feel confident is sufficiently robust to ensure their success, but also simple enough to be immediately applicable. Project Management Step by Step provides the solution to this problem; a practical and immediate way to become a competent project manager.
The author of this book has also developed an interactive project management game with Totem Learning, which can be played as a stand-alone learning experience or used as a case study in a more extensive project management training course.
The game is PC based and costs £30 per user for a license, with discounts for larger orders. Find out more at http://www.totemlearning.com/onlinetrainingcourses/projectmanagementskills/
Acknowledgments
Preface to the second edition
Introduction
Step 1 - Understand the Basics
1.1 What is a project?
1.2 What is project management? What is your role?
1.3 The project's customer and stakeholders
1.4 The project team
1.5 Delivery and deliverables
1.6 The five dimensions of a project - scope, quality, time, cost, risk
1.7 The stages of a project - a lifecycle
Step 2 - Define the 'Why' and the 'What'
2.1 Complete the Project Definition
2.2 Check your role
2.3 Agree the Project Definition with your project customer
Step 3 - Create Your Project Plan
3.1 Brainstorm a task list
3.2 Convert the task list to a skeleton plan
3.3 Estimate times, add dependencies and delays
3.4 Add in who will do what
3.5 Build the plan into a schedule
3.6 Work out costs
3.7 Add in milestones and contingency
3.8 Review and amend - can you do it, should you do it, is there a better way?
3.9 Review the plan with your project customer
Step 4 - Manage Delivery
4.1 Start the project
4.2 Plan your day
4.3 Collect information and reports
4.4 Monitor and manage progress
4.5 Identify and resolve issues
4.6 Identify and manage risks
4.7 Manage changes
4.8 Take action to ensure the project's success
4.9 Keep your customer informed
4.10 Update the Project Plan or Project Budget
Step 5 - Complete Your Project
5.1 Test the deliverables
5.2 Implement deliverables
5.3 Provide support to your customers
5.4 Release resources
5.5 Review for next time
5.6 Celebrate!
