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The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, 4th Edition

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, 4th Edition

by Eric Verzuh
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 9781118147962
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Book Description

An updated and revised edition of the bestselling guide to managing projects

For any professional responsible for coordinating projects among different departments, across executive levels, or with technical complexity, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management offers comprehensive instruction on how to deliver on time and on budget. Get the step-by-step advice you need to find the right sponsor, clarify objectives, and set realistic schedules and budget projections. This Fourth Edition of the 200,000-copy bestseller now covers critical new topics including: software and IT projects, agile techniques, and project selection.

Perfect for beginners or experienced managers needing to bring their systems up to date, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management allows readers to extract maximum information in minimum time.

  • The most comprehensive introduction to project management, updated to reflect changes in the business environment over the past few years

  • Full of downloadable forms and spreadsheets to help you implement the techniques in the book

  • Offers updated advice on getting the most from Microsoft Project

Note: The ebook version does not provide access to the companion files.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. About The Author
  8. Preface
  9. Downloadable Forms
  10. Part 1: Introduction
    1. Chapter 1: Project Management: The Key to Thriving in the New Project-Driven World
      1. Introduction
      2. The Art and Science of Project Leadership
      3. The Practical Foundation for Successful Projects: How This Book Will Help You
      4. Project Management Relies on Other Disciplines
      5. End Point
    2. Chapter 2: Foundation Principles of Project Management
      1. Introduction
      2. Projects Require Project Management
      3. The Challenge of Managing Projects
      4. The Evolution of a Discipline
      5. The Definition of Success
      6. Project Management Functions
      7. Project Life Cycle
      8. Organizing for Projects
      9. Project Managers are Leaders
      10. End Point
      11. PMP Exam Prep Questions
  11. Part 2: Defining the Project
    1. Chapter 3: Know Your Key Stakeholders and Win Their Cooperation
      1. Introduction
      2. Stakeholders Are the Heart of a Successful Project
      3. Stakeholder Roles: Project Manager
      4. Stakeholder Roles: Project Team
      5. Stakeholder Roles: Management
      6. Stakeholder Roles: The Customer
      7. Stakeholder Roles: Representatives of External Constraints
      8. Stakeholder Roles: Advocates, Opponents, and Innocent Bystanders
      9. Make Stakeholder Identification a Repeatable Process
      10. Lead the Stakeholders
      11. End Point
      12. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      13. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    2. Chapter 4: Write The Rules: Five Key Documents To Manage Expectations and Define Success
      1. Introduction
      2. Project Rules Are the Foundation
      3. Publish a Project Charter
      4. Write a Statement of Work
      5. Statement of Work: Minimum Content
      6. Responsibility Matrix
      7. Creating a Communication Plan
      8. The Project Proposal Launches the Project
      9. End Point
      10. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      11. PMP Exam Prep Questions
  12. Part 3: The Planning Process
    1. Chapter 5: Risk Management: Minimize The Threats To Your Project
      1. Introduction
      2. All Project Management Is Risk Management
      3. The Risk Management Framework
      4. Step One: Identify the Risks
      5. Step Two: Analyze and Prioritize the Risks
      6. Step Three: Develop Response Plans
      7. Step Four: Establish Contingency and Reserve
      8. Step Five: Continuous Risk Management
      9. Unexpected Leadership
      10. End Point
      11. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      12. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    2. Chapter 6: Work Breakdown Structure: Break Your Project Into Manageable Units of Work
      1. Introduction
      2. Defining the Work Breakdown Structure
      3. Building a Work Breakdown Structure
      4. Criteria for a Successful Work Breakdown Structure
      5. Work Package Size
      6. Planning for Quality
      7. Breaking Down Large Programs
      8. WBS Guidelines Vary
      9. Contractors or Vendors Can Provide a WBS
      10. End Point
      11. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    3. Chapter 7: Realistic Scheduling
      1. Introduction
      2. Planning Overview
      3. Planning Step Two: Identify Task Relationships
      4. Planning Step Three: Estimate Work Packages
      5. Planning Step Four: Calculate an Initial Schedule
      6. Planning Step Five: Assign and Level Resources
      7. Small Projects Need Smaller Plans
      8. End Point
      9. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      10. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    4. Chapter 8: The Art and Science of Accurate Estimating
      1. Introduction
      2. Estimating Fundamentals
      3. Estimating Techniques
      4. Building the Detailed Budget Estimate
      5. Generating the Cash Flow Schedule
      6. End Point
      7. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      8. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    5. Chapter 9: Balancing The Trade-Off Among Cost, Schedule, and Quality
      1. Introduction
      2. Three Levels of Balancing a Project
      3. Balancing at the Project Level
      4. Balancing at the Business Case Level
      5. Balancing at the Enterprise Level
      6. End Point
      7. PMP Exam Prep Questions
  13. Part 4: Controlling The Project
    1. Chapter 10: Building A High-Performance Project Team
      1. Introduction
      2. A Framework for Building High-Performance Teams
      3. Leadership Responsibilities
      4. Building a Positive Team Environment
      5. Ground Rules
      6. Team Identity
      7. Team Listening Skills
      8. Meeting Management
      9. Summary of Building a Positive Team Environment
      10. Collaborative Problem Solving
      11. Problem Analysis
      12. Decision Modes
      13. Conflict Management
      14. Continuous Learning
      15. Summary of Collaborative Problem Solving
      16. Job Satisfaction
      17. End Point
      18. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    2. Chapter 11: Clear Communication Among Project Stakeholders
      1. Introduction
      2. Embrace Your Role as a Leader
      3. Communicating within the Project Team
      4. Communicating with Management and Customers
      5. Control Documents
      6. The Change Management Process
      7. Configuration Management
      8. Change Management Guidelines Are Essential for Managing Expectations
      9. Closeout Reporting
      10. End Point
      11. Fast Foundation in Project Management
      12. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    3. Chapter 12: Measuring Progress
      1. Introduction
      2. Measuring Schedule Performance
      3. Measuring Cost Performance
      4. Earned Value Reporting
      5. Cost and Schedule Baselines
      6. End Point
      7. PMP Exam Prep Questions
    4. Chapter 13: Solving Common Project Problems
      1. Introduction
      2. Responsibility beyond Your Authority
      3. Disaster Recovery
      4. Reducing the Time to Market
      5. When the Customer Delays the Project
      6. The Impossible Dream
      7. Fighting Fires
      8. Managing Volunteers
      9. Achieving the Five Project Success Factors
      10. End Point
  14. Part 5: Advancing Your Practice of Project Management
    1. Chapter 14: Enterprise Project Management: Coordinate All Projects and Project Resources in Your Organization
      1. Introduction
      2. Defining Enterprise Project Management
      3. Three Tiers of Management within EPM
      4. The Four Components of EPM
      5. Establish Consistent EPM Processes
      6. Technology Enables EPM Processes
      7. The People Who Deliver Projects
      8. Support Project Management: The Project Office
      9. End Point
    2. Chapter 15: Requirements Engineering: The Key To Building The Right Product
      1. Introduction
      2. Requirements Engineering and Project Management Are Intimately Connected
      3. Requirement Types Illustrate the Evolving Product Vision
      4. Requirements Engineering Scope and Processes
      5. Requirements Development Activities
      6. Requirements Management Activities
      7. Requirements Documentation Techniques
      8. Requirements Engineering Demands Discipline
      9. End Point
    3. Chapter 16: Project Initiation: Turning A Problem or Opportunity Into A Project
      1. Introduction
      2. Project Initiation’s Place in the Project Life Cycle
      3. Enterprise Requirements Drive Project Initiation
      4. Common Principles for Project Initiation
      5. Basic Project Proposal Content
      6. Designing a Realistic Initiation Process
      7. End Point
    4. Chapter 17: Information Technology Project Success Factors
      1. Introduction
      2. The Many Kinds of Software Projects
      3. Why Are Information Technology Projects So Challenging?
      4. Current Best Practices in IT Project Management
      5. Using an Agile Approach
      6. End Point
    5. Chapter 18: Project Portfolio Management: Align Project Resources With Business Strategy
      1. Introduction
      2. The Scope and Goals of the Portfolio
      3. Stakeholders: Roles in Project Portfolio Management
      4. PPM Information Supports Decisions
      5. Project Selection and Prioritization
      6. Ongoing Portfolio Management
      7. Monitor the Results of Projects and the Portfolio
      8. Culture Change
      9. End Point
    6. Chapter 19: PMP Exam Preparation
      1. Introduction
      2. Requirements to Earn the PMP
      3. Top 10 Study Tips for the PMP Exam
      4. End Point
    7. Chapter 20: Microsoft Project: Guidelines For Effective Use
      1. Introduction
      2. Project Management Software Supports the Discipline
      3. Looking under the Hood: The Design of Project
      4. Set Up the Project First
      5. Follow the Planning Model in This Book
      6. Task Types: Fix the Duration, Work, or Resource Level
      7. Assigning Resources to a Project
      8. Resource Leveling Your Schedule
      9. Maintaining the Plan throughout the Project
      10. Communicating with Your Team and Management
      11. Project Server and Project Web App
      12. End Point
  15. Appendix: The Detailed Planning Model
  16. Index