Project Management ToolBox, 3rd Edition

PREFACE

In the eight years since the second edition of the Project Management Toolbox was published, the practice of project management has changed significantly. Today, more than half of the projects use hybrid approaches to managing projects. Meaning that while predictive (waterfall) tools are still used, adaptive (Agile) tools and techniques are often integrated where applicable. The practice of separating the two ways of performing projects is waning and an attitude of “figure out the best way to deliver value” is taking over.

With that in mind, some of the tools that were predominantly used in the predictive projects of the past, such as a Time-Scaled Network Diagram or a Line of Balance Schedule, are not in the third edition. Several new tools have been introduced. The new tools can be used for predictive, adaptive, or hybrid projects, such as a Project Canvas, Project Roadmap, and Communication Matrix.

Some of the existing topics have been updated. The chapter on requirements has been refreshed. The intent of eliciting and managing requirements hasn’t changed, but the tools used to do so have been updated. You will see a Requirements Management Plan and a Requirements Traceability Matrix rather than a Product Requirements Document and a Requirements Ambiguity Checklist.

There are also new chapters – Resource Planning, Advanced Risk Management, and Change Management. Some of these chapters have new content, and others reorganize content from the second edition.

The third ...