Project Management Step by Step

Project Management Step by Step

by Richard Newton
Released August 2007
Publisher(s): Pearson Business
ISBN: 9781408212264

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

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 that he or she has 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 confidant 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.

This is a comprehensive and authoritative guide written and structured in a practical and rapidly applicable style.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Project Management Step by Step (1/2)
  3. Project Management Step by Step (2/2)
  4. Contents
  5. Acknowledgements
  6. Introduction (1/2)
  7. Introduction (2/2)
  8. Step 1: Understand the basics
    1. Setting the scene
    2. Introduction to project management jargon
    3. The step-by-step guide. Step 1 – Understanding the basics
      1. Step 1.1: What is a project?
      2. Step 1.2: What is a project management? What is your role?
      3. Step 1.3: The project’s customer
      4. Step 1.4: The project team
      5. Step 1.5: Delivery and deliverables
      6. Step 1.6: The five dimensions of a project – scope, quality, time, cost, risk
      7. Step 1.7: The stages of a project – a lifecycle
    4. Key tips
  9. Step 2: Define the ‘why’ and the ‘what’
    1. Setting the scene
    2. Introduction to ‘why’ and ‘what’
    3. The step-by-step guide. Step 2 – Defining ‘why’ and ‘what'
      1. Step 2.1: Complete the Project Definition
      2. Step 2.2: Check your role
      3. Step 2.3: Agree the Project Definition with your project customer
    4. Key tips
  10. Step 3: Create your Project Plan
    1. Setting the scene
    2. Introduction to the Project Plan and estimating (1/3)
    3. Introduction to the Project Plan and estimating (2/3)
    4. Introduction to the Project Plan and estimating (3/3)
    5. The step-by-step guide. Step 3 – Creating your Project Plan
      1. Step 3.1: Brainstorm a task list
      2. Step 3.2: Convert the task list to a skeleton plan
      3. Step 3.3: Estimate times, add dependencies and delays
      4. Step 3.4: Add in who will do what
      5. Step 3.5: Build the plan into a schedule
      6. Step 3.6: Work out costs
      7. Step 3.7: Add in milestones and contingency
      8. Step 3.8: Review and amend (1/2)
      9. Step 3.8: Review and amend (2/2)
      10. Step 3.9: Review the plan with your project customer
    6. Key tips
  11. Step 4: Manage delivery
    1. Setting the scene
    2. Introduction to the role of the project manager (1/2)
    3. Introduction to the role of the project manager (2/2)
    4. The step-by-step guide. Step 4 – Managing delivery
      1. Step 4.1: Start the project
      2. Step 4.2: Plan your day
      3. Step 4.3: Collect information and reports
      4. Step 4.4: Monitor and manage progress
      5. Step 4.5: Identify and resolve issues
      6. Step 4.6: Identify and manage risks
      7. Step 4.7: Manage changes
      8. Step 4.8: Take action to ensure the project’s success
      9. Step 4.9: Keep your customer informed
      10. Step 4.10: Update the Project Plan or Project Budget
    5. Key tips
  12. Step 5: Complete your project
    1. Setting the scene
    2. Introduction to completing your project
    3. The step-by-step guide. Step 5 – Completing your project
      1. Step 5.1: Test the deliverables
      2. Step 5.2: Implement deliverables
      3. Step 5.3: Provide support to your customers
      4. Step 5.4: Release resources
      5. Step 5.5: Review for next time
      6. Step 5.6: Celebrate!
    4. Key tips
    5. Conclusion
  13. Appendix (1/2)
  14. Appendix (2/2)
  15. Glossary (1/3)
  16. Glossary (2/3)
  17. Glossary (3/3)

Product information

  • Title: Project Management Step by Step
  • Author(s): Richard Newton
  • Release date: August 2007
  • Publisher(s): Pearson Business
  • ISBN: 9781408212264