Managing Multiple Projects

Managing Multiple Projects

by Michael S. Dobson, Deborah Singer Dobson
Released September 2011
Publisher(s): AMA Self-Study
ISBN: 9780761215288

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Book description

Let’s face it — who among us has only a single project? Multiple projects are the norm, not the exception, and there are very good reasons why this is so. A lot of projects simply aren’t big enough to justify the investment of a full-time project manager: having only one is impractical. Depending on the availability of resources, a multiple project environment can accomplish substantial work while lowering the overhead burden of project management by consolidating processes.  In this book, you will learn how to recognize the characteristics and to manage effectively in each of these situations, how to plan and organize your work, how to influence other people who may not report to you in an official supervisory capacity, and how to get results. This is an ebook version of the AMA Self-Study course. If you want to take the course for credit you need to either purchase a hard copy of the course through amaselfstudy.org or purchase an online version of the course through www.flexstudy.com.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. About This Course
  6. How to Take This Course
  7. Pre-Test
  8. 1 The Challenges of Multiple Project Management
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Introduction to Managing Multiple Projects
      1. Projects + Operations = Work
      2. Characteristics of Your Multiple Project Environment
      3. Challenges in Your Multiple Project Environment
    3. Managing Programs and Portfolios
      1. Difference Between Programs and Portfolios
      2. Portfolio Management
      3. Program Management
    4. Operational Work and Time Management
    5. Recap
    6. Review Questions
  9. 2 Applying Single Project Management in a Multiple Project Environment
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Introduction to Project Management
    3. The Project Environment
    4. The Project Life Cycle
    5. Project Initiation
      1. From Problem to Project
      2. The Triple Constraints
      3. User Needs and Requirements
      4. Project Charter
    6. Recap
    7. Review Questions
  10. 3 Project Life Cycle Issues in Programs
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. The Multiple Project Life Cycle
    3. Common Issues Managing a Program of Independent Projects
      1. Challenges in Managing a Program of Independent Projects
      2. Opportunities in Managing a Program of Independent Projects
    4. Common Issues Managing a Program of Interdependent Projects (Very Large Project)
      1. Skill Set of Project Managers
      2. Analyze Interdependent Failures
      3. Manage Tradeoffs
    5. Recap
    6. Review Questions
  11. 4 The Tools of Project Planning
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. From Initiating to Planning
    3. Statement of Work
    4. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
    5. WBS Dictionary
    6. Using a Work Breakdown Structure in Managing Multiple Projects
    7. Recap
    8. Review Questions
  12. 5 Project Scheduling
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Schedule Development
    3. Network Diagram
      1. Forward and Backward Pass
      2. Critical Path and Float
      3. Gantt Chart
    4. Recap
    5. Review Questions
  13. 6 Resource Loading and Leveling for Single and Multiple Projects
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Approaches to Scheduling Multiple Projects
    3. Resourcing the Project Plan
    4. Resource Loading
    5. Resource Leveling
      1. Leveling the Schedule
      2. Leveling Resources
      3. Compressing Schedule
    6. Resource Scheduling
    7. Resourcing Multiple Projects
    8. Recap
    9. Review Questions
  14. 7 Advanced Scheduling Techniques for Multiple Projects
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Jigsaw Puzzles, Least Resources, and the Critical Chain
    3. Priority-Setting Strategies for Managing Multiple Projects
    4. Least-Resource Scheduling
      1. Lay Out Time-Fixed Projects First; Determine and Schedule Resource Requirements
      2. Identify Available Resources for Remaining Projects
      3. Schedule the Least Resource; Fit the Final Schedule Together
    5. Critical Chain Project Management
      1. Searching for Resource Dependencies
      2. Project Buffer, Feeder Buffers, Resource Buffers
      3. Managing the Buffer
    6. Recap
    7. Review Questions
  15. 8 Planning for Risk
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Risk and Project Management
    3. Risk Management Processes
    4. Issues and Concepts in Risk Management
      1. Triple Constraints Issues
      2. Business Risk vs. Insurance Risk
      3. Opportunity and Threat
      4. Residual and Secondary Risk
      5. Degree and Area of Risk Tolerance
    5. Risk Identification
      1. Document Analysis
      2. Interviews
      3. Assumptions Analysis and Brainstorming
      4. Plan Analysis
    6. Risk Analysis
      1. Decision Trees
      2. Risk Buckets
      3. Filtering Technique
      4. Completing Risk Analysis
    7. Risk Response Planning
      1. Modifying the Plan for Risk
      2. Contingency Planning
    8. Risk Monitoring and Control
      1. Implementing the Risk Response Plan
      2. Updating and Maintaining the Plan
      3. Managing Residual Risks, Surprises, and Problems
      4. Managing Contingency Allowances and Reserves
    9. Recap
    10. Review Questions
  16. 9 Planning for Cost, Quality, Communications, Procurement, and Human Resources
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Comprehensive Project Planning
    3. Cost Planning
      1. Cost Estimating
      2. Cost Budgeting
    4. Quality Planning
    5. Human Resources Planning
    6. Procurement Planning
    7. Communications Planning
    8. Recap
    9. Review Questions
  17. 10 Execution, Monitoring, and Control
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Execute, Monitor, Control
    3. Project Execution
      1. Building the Project Team
      2. Managing Tasks and Deliverables
    4. Monitoring and Control
      1. Baselining Your Project
      2. Managing Risks
      3. Managing Scope, Quality, and Change
      4. Updating the Plan or Baseline
    5. Earned Value Project Management
    6. Recap
    7. Review Questions
  18. 11 Closeout for Single and Multiple Projects
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Closing Time
    3. Closing Processes
    4. Transition Processes
      1. Deliver the Final Product or Service
      2. Obtain Customer Approvals
      3. Provide Training and Orientation for Users and Operators
      4. Transition Responsibility for Operation and Maintenance
      5. Establish Support Systems and Provide Support
    5. Administrative Closure
      1. Close Out Contracts
      2. Submit Final Invoices
      3. Release Project Resources for Other Work
      4. Close Project Files and Finalize Internal Administrative Procedures
      5. Celebrate Success and Reward Team Members
    6. Salvage Processes
      1. Measure and Ensure Customer Satisfaction
      2. Perform a “Lessons Learned” Review
      3. Identify Opportunities to Reuse and Recycle
    7. Typical Problems in Closing a Project
    8. Checklists and Planning for Closeout
    9. Closing Out in the Multiple Project Environment
    10. Recap
    11. Review Questions
  19. 12 Developing Your Personal Action Plan for Managing Multiple Projects
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. From Single Project Management to Multiple Project Management
    3. Standardizing in a Multiple Project Environment
    4. The GREAT Model
    5. Your Action Plan
    6. Recap
    7. Review Questions
  20. Answers to Exercises and Case Studies
    1. Exercise 2-2. Hierarchy of Constraints
    2. Exercise 2-3. Write a Project Charter
    3. Exercise 4-1. Write a Statement of Work
    4. Exercise 4-2. Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
    5. Exercise 4-3. Fill Out a Task Information Sheet
    6. Exercise 5-2. Critical Path
    7. Exercise 5-3. Gantt Chart
    8. Exercise 6-1. Determining Required Resources
    9. Exercise 6-2. Resource Leveling a Project
    10. Exercise 6-3. Compressing the Schedule
    11. Exercise 6-4. Resourcing a Multiple Project Schedule
    12. Exercise 7-2 Least Resource Scheduling
    13. Exercise 7-3 Critical Chain
    14. Exercise 8-1. Risk Identification
    15. Exercise 8-2. Risk Buckets
    16. Exercise 8-3. Risk Response Planning
    17. Exercise 9-1. Prepare a Bottom-Up Cost Estimate
    18. Exercise 9-2. Resource Assignment Matrix
    19. Exercise 9-3. Communications Plan
    20. Exercise 10-1. Building the Project Team
    21. Exercise 10-2. Tracking Gantt Chart
    22. Exercise 12-1. Standardizing Your Multiple Project Approach
    23. Exercise 12-2. Your Action Plan
  21. Bibliography and Recommended Reading
  22. Glossary
  23. Post-Test
  24. Index

Product information

  • Title: Managing Multiple Projects
  • Author(s): Michael S. Dobson, Deborah Singer Dobson
  • Release date: September 2011
  • Publisher(s): AMA Self-Study
  • ISBN: 9780761215288