Project Management Jumpstart

An informative introduction for those considering a career in project management
 
Project Management JumpStart offers a clear, practical introduction to the complex world of project management, with an entertaining approach based on real-world application. Fully revised to align with a Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge -PMBOK Guide(c), 6th edition, this book provides an overview of the field followed by an exploration of current best practices. The practical focus facilitates retention by directly linking critical concepts to your everyday work, while the close adherence to PMBOK guidelines makes this book the perfect starting point for those considering certification to earn either PMP or CompTIA Project+ credentials.
 
Project management is a top-five, in-demand skill in today's workplace, and the demand has spread far beyond IT to encompass nearly every industry; any organization that produces goods or services, whether for profit or not, has a vested interest in ensuring that projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the satisfaction of the client--this is the heart of the project management function. Let Kim Heldman, bestselling author of PMP Study Guide and CompTIA Project+ Study Guide, walk you through the basic principles and practices to help you build a strong foundation for further training.
* Understand current project management methods and practices
* Explore project management from a practical perspective
* Delve into illustrative examples that clarify complex issues
* Test your understanding with challenging study questions
 
Trillions of dollars are invested in various projects around the world each year, and companies have learned that investing in qualified project management professionals pays off in every aspect of the operation. If you're considering a career in project management, Project Management JumpStart provides an excellent introduction to the field and clear direction for your next steps.

List of contents

Introduction xiii
 
Chapter 1 Building the Foundation 1
 
The Project Management Journey 2
 
Is It a Project? 3
 
Where Are We Going? 4
 
A Bird's-Eye View 5
 
Know the Structure of Your Organization 8
 
Benefiting from Project Management Practices 14
 
Tools of the Trade 16
 
Understanding Project Processes 18
 
Twenty-first Century Project Management 23
 
What's Old Is New Again 24
 
Constraints 24
 
Where Do You Go from Here? 27
 
Becoming PMP(r) Certified 28
 
Certifying with CompTIA(r)'s Project+ 29
 
Formal Education Programs 29
 
Terms to Know 30
 
Review Questions 31
 
Chapter 2 Developing Project Management Skills 33
 
A Little Bit of Everything 34
 
Communication Is the Key 35
 
Organizing Techniques 35
 
General Management Skills 42
 
People Management Skills 43
 
Communicating Your Style 44
 
Exchanging Information 45
 
Active Listening 49
 
How Many Connections Are There? 51
 
Ten Tips for Communicating Effectively 52
 
Terms to Know 53
 
Review Questions 54
 
Chapter 3 Initiating the Project 55
 
Selecting Projects for Success 56
 
How Projects Come About 57
 
Project Generators--Needs and Demands 58
 
Project Requests 59
 
Business Case 62
 
Selecting and Prioritizing Projects 64
 
Feasibility Study 70
 
Meeting the Stakeholders 71
 
Working with the Project Sponsor 71
 
Documenting Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities 73
 
Competing Needs of Stakeholders 75
 
Creating the Project Charter 76
 
Purposes for the Charter 76
 
Essential Elements of a Project Charter 78
 
Holding the Project Kickoff Meeting 81
 
Creating the Agenda 82
 
Terms to Know 83
 
Review Questions 84
 
Chapter 4 Defining the Project Goals 85
 
Agreeing on the Deliverables 86
 
Goals and Objectives 86
 
Deliverables 89
 
Discovering Requirements 90
 
The Role of the Business Analyst 91
 
Requirements-Gathering Process 92
 
Critical Success Factors 94
 
Identifying Assumptions and Constraints 96
 
Defining Assumptions 97
 
Defining Constraints 98
 
Creating the Project Scope Statement 99
 
Contents of the Project Scope Statement 100
 
Obtaining Sign-off 102
 
Creating the Project Scope Management Plan 103
 
Creating the Communications Plan 103
 
Terms to Know 105
 
Review Questions 106
 
Chapter 5 Breaking Down the Project Activities 107
 
Constructing the Work Breakdown Structure 108
 
Organizing the WBS Levels 109
 
Work Packages 111
 
Identification Codes 112
 
Outline View 113
 
Defining Tasks and Activities 114
 
Managing the Work 114
 
Activity Sequencing 116
 
Determining Milestones 117
 
Constructing the Responsibility Assignment Matrix 118
 
Estimating Activity Durations 120
 
Expert Judgment 120
 
Parametric Estimating 120
 
Establishing Dependencies 121
 
Constructing a Network Diagram 122
 
Precedence Diagramming 123
 
Activity on Node 124
 
Diagramming Method of Choice 124
 
Terms to Know 124
 
Review Questions 125
 
Chapter 6 Planning and Acquiring Resources 127
 
Planning the Project Team 128
 
Skills Assessment 129
 
Decidi

About the author

Kim Heldman, MBA, PMP, is Senior Manager Information Technology/Chief Information Officer, for the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado. Kim is the author of several books on project management including the bestselling PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide, 9th Edition. You can visit Kim's website at www.kimheldman.com.

Summary

An informative introduction for those considering a career in project management

Project Management JumpStart offers a clear, practical introduction to the complex world of project management, with an entertaining approach based on real-world application. Fully revised to align with a Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge -PMBOK Guide(c), 6th edition, this book provides an overview of the field followed by an exploration of current best practices. The practical focus facilitates retention by directly linking critical concepts to your everyday work, while the close adherence to PMBOK guidelines makes this book the perfect starting point for those considering certification to earn either PMP or CompTIA Project+ credentials.

Project management is a top-five, in-demand skill in today's workplace, and the demand has spread far beyond IT to encompass nearly every industry; any organization that produces goods or services, whether for profit or not, has a vested interest in ensuring that projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the satisfaction of the client--this is the heart of the project management function. Let Kim Heldman, bestselling author of PMP Study Guide and CompTIA Project+ Study Guide, walk you through the basic principles and practices to help you build a strong foundation for further training.
* Understand current project management methods and practices
* Explore project management from a practical perspective
* Delve into illustrative examples that clarify complex issues
* Test your understanding with challenging study questions

Trillions of dollars are invested in various projects around the world each year, and companies have learned that investing in qualified project management professionals pays off in every aspect of the operation. If you're considering a career in project management, Project Management JumpStart provides an excellent introduction to the field and clear direction for your next steps.

Product details

• Authors: K Heldman, Kim Heldman, Heldman Kim
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2018
• EAN: 9781119472223
• ISBN: 978-1-119-47222-3
• No. of pages: 368
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Mechanical engineering, production engineering; Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Business administration, companies; Social sciences, law, business > Business > Management; Projektmanagement, Qualitätsmanagement, Business & management, Quality Management, Project management, Industrial Engineering, Wirtschaft u. Management, Industrielle Verfahrenstechnik, Projektmanagement i. d. Industriellen Verfahrenstechnik, Industrial Engineering / Project Management