Project Management JumpStart, 4th Edition

Project Management JumpStart, 4th Edition

by Kim Heldman
Released October 2018
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781119472223

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Book description

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©, 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.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. Who Should Read This Book
    2. What This Book Covers
    3. Making the Most of This Book
  2. Chapter 1 Building the Foundation
    1. The Project Management Journey
    2. Benefiting from Project Management Practices
    3. Twenty-first Century Project Management
    4. Where Do You Go from Here?
    5. Terms to Know
    6. Review Questions
  3. Chapter 2 Developing Project Management Skills
    1. A Little Bit of Everything
    2. Communicating Your Style
    3. Terms to Know
    4. Review Questions
  4. Chapter 3 Initiating the Project
    1. Selecting Projects for Success
    2. Creating the Project Charter
    3. Holding the Project Kickoff Meeting
    4. Terms to Know
    5. Review Questions
  5. Chapter 4 Defining the Project Goals
    1. Agreeing on the Deliverables
    2. Discovering Requirements
    3. Identifying Assumptions and Constraints
    4. Creating the Project Scope Statement
    5. Creating the Communications Plan
    6. Terms to Know
    7. Review Questions
  6. Chapter 5 Breaking Down the Project Activities
    1. Constructing the Work Breakdown Structure
    2. Defining Tasks and Activities
    3. Determining Milestones
    4. Constructing the Responsibility Assignment Matrix
    5. Estimating Activity Durations
    6. Establishing Dependencies
    7. Constructing a Network Diagram
    8. Terms to Know
    9. Review Questions
  7. Chapter 6 Planning and Acquiring Resources
    1. Planning the Project Team
    2. Acquiring Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
    3. Contracting for Resources
    4. Terms to Know
    5. Review Questions
  8. Chapter 7 Assessing Risk
    1. Identifying Risks
    2. Risk Analysis Techniques
    3. Planning for Risks
    4. Responding to Risks
    5. Contingency Planning
    6. Risk Management Plan
    7. Terms to Know
    8. Review Questions
  9. Chapter 8 Developing the Project Plan
    1. Creating the Project Schedule
    2. Quality Management Plan
    3. Terms to Know
    4. Review Questions
  10. Chapter 9 Budgeting 101
    1. What Makes Up a Budget?
    2. Estimating Techniques
    3. Estimating Costs and Finalizing the Budget
    4. Establishing a Cost Baseline
    5. Call It a Plan
    6. Terms to Know
    7. Review Questions
  11. Chapter 10 Executing the Project
    1. Assembling the Team
    2. Negotiation and Problem-Solving Techniques
    3. Project Manager’s Role in Team Development
    4. Progress Reporting
    5. Taking Corrective Action
    6. Terms to Know
    7. Review Questions
  12. Chapter 11 Controlling the Project Outcome
    1. Change Happens
    2. Establishing Change Management Control Procedures
    3. Assessing the Impacts of Change
    4. Monitoring and Controlling Project Processes
    5. Is the Project in Trouble?
    6. Terms to Know
    7. Review Questions
  13. Chapter 12 Closing the Books
    1. Happy Endings
    2. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
    3. Documenting Lessons Learned
    4. Obtaining Project Sign-Off
    5. Is the Customer Happy?
    6. Archiving Project Documents
    7. It’s Party Time!
    8. Agile Project Management
    9. Terms to Know
    10. Review Questions
  14. Appendix A Answers to Review Questions
    1. Chapter 1: Building the Foundation
    2. Chapter 2: Developing Project Management Skills
    3. Chapter 3: Initiating the Project
    4. Chapter 4: Defining the Project Goals
    5. Chapter 5: Breaking Down the Project Activities
    6. Chapter 6: Planning and Acquiring Resources
    7. Chapter 7: Assessing Risk
    8. Chapter 8: Developing the Project Plan
    9. Chapter 9: Budgeting 101
    10. Chapter 10: Executing the Project
    11. Chapter 11: Controlling the Project Outcome
    12. Chapter 12: Closing the Books
  15. Appendix B Sample Project Management Forms and Checklists
  16. Glossary
  17. Index
  18. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Project Management JumpStart, 4th Edition
  • Author(s): Kim Heldman
  • Release date: October 2018
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781119472223