Improving your project management skills, second edition

 Content: Contents        Introduction to the Second Edition 1       PART 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT     FOUNDATIONS 3    Chapter 1. The Core Concepts 5    Project Management Vocabulary 6    Why Project Management? 7    Classic Functions of Project Management 9    Processes in the Life of a Project 11    Knowledge Areas 12       PART 2: INITIATING 15    Chapter 2. Defining and Authorizing the Project 17    The Role of Stakeholders in the Authorization Process 18    The Business Case for Undertaking the Project 18    The Goal Breakdown Structure 21    Project Charter 24       PART 3: PLANNING 25    Chapter 3. Collecting Requirements and Defining Scope 27    The Five Processes of Project Scope Management 28    Collecting Requirements 30    Creating a Scope Statement 34    Example Scope Document 43       Chapter 4. Creating a Work Breakdown Structure 48    The Work Breakdown Structure Is an Outline 49    Considerations in Creating Work Breakdown Structures 50    The Work Breakdown Structure Is a Validation Tool 53    Work Breakdown Structures Are Flexible 55    Techniques in Creating Work Breakdown Structures 59    Verifying Scope 60    Controlling Scope 62       Chapter 5. Defining and Sequencing Activities 63    Defining Activities 63    Sequencing Activities Using Network Diagrams 64    Identifying Dependencies Between Activities 66    Defining Activity Relationships 67    Sample Network Diagram 70       Chapter 6. Estimating Activities 72    Using the Work Breakdown Structure 73    Steps in Estimating Activities 74    Estimating Methods 75    Guidelines for Estimating 77    Considering Risk in Estimating: Using Three-Point    Estimates 82    Precision of Estimates 85    Duration-Based vs. Resource-Based Estimates 86    Building Contingency in Estimates 86    Improving Estimates over Time 87       Chapter 7. Scheduling Activities 89    Scheduling Activity Dates 90    Project Float 93    Accelerating Project Schedules 93       Chapter 8. Identifying Resources and Budgets 97    Identifying Resources 97    Balancing Resources 103    Creating a Project Budget 105       Chapter 9. Compiling the Major Components of a    Project Plan 107    Project Charter 108    Project Scope Statement 108    Schedule Plan 109    Resource Utilization Plan 110    Budget Plan 110    Milestone Plan 110    Organization Plan 113    Risk Management Plan 114    Communication Plan 115       PART 4: EXECUTING, MONITORING, AND     CONTROLLING 117    Chapter 10. Executing Projects 119    Project Kick-Off Meeting 120    Project Control 121    Project Meetings 121    Project Control Process 121    Monitoring Project Work 123    Collecting Project Information 124    Schedule Importance 125    Labor Hours 132    Data Analysis 132    Change Control 135    Sources of Change 137       Chapter 11. Monitoring and Controlling Projects 139    Establishing a Project Baseline as a Control Point 140    Measuring Performance: Earned Value Analysis 140       Chapter 12. Leading and Directing Project Teams 146    Leading Others 146    Directing Others 154    Managing Others 155    Conducting Meetings 155    Interviewing Others 159       Chapter 13. Managing Risk 164    Identifying Risk 165    Assessing and Prioritizing Risk 167    Responding to Risk 170    Acting on the Response Plan 172       PART 5: CLOSING 175    Chapter 14. Closing a Project 177    Project Closure: The Final Process 177    Ensuring Project Requirements Are Met 179    How Projects Can End 180    Administrative Closure 183    Contractual Closure 184    Initiating Project Closure 185    Lessons Learned 186    Finance and Administration Records 188    Performance Reporting 188    Staff Release 189       Appendix A: Learning Resources 191    Appendix B: Glossary 195    Index 208