Project Manager's Spotlight on Planning

Clear-Cut Ways to Manage Project Planning If you're a typical project manager, you're probably aware of the importance of planning but may not have the time or expertise to develop a full-blown strategy. Here's a quick and practical guide to applying the disciplines of proven planning practices without the rigor of complex processes. Part of the Project Manager's Spotlight series from Harbor Light Press, this straightforward book offers solutions to real-life planning scenarios. Author Catherine Tomczyk highlights critical components of project planning and equips you with tools, techniques, checklists, and templates you can put to use immediately. By following a realistic case study from start to finish, you'll see how a project manager deals with each task. Ultimately, this book will help you accurately estimate time and resource requirements, enabling you to implement successful projects. Project Manager's Spotlight on Planning teaches you how to Define project objectives, goals, scope, and requirements Draft plans to manage risk, quality, and procurement Build your dream team Finalize estimates and budgets Create the project schedule And much more!

Table of Contents:
Foreword ix Acknowledgments x Introduction xiii Chapter 1 Initiating the Project Plan 1 Small vs Large Projects 1 Initiating a Project 3 Drafting the Project Plan 12 Chapter 2 Defining Project Objectives, Goals, Scope, and Requirements 21 Setting Project Objectives and Goals 22 Defining Project Goals 25 Delineating Scope 33 Requirements 35 Case Study 39 Chapter 3 Defining Your Risk Management Plan 43 Planning for Risk Management 43 Creating a Risk Response Plan 45 Case Study 52 Chapter 4 Drafting Your Dream Team 55 Identifying Your Organization 56 Team Composition 58 Defining Skills 60 Negotiating for Your Team 62 Team Development Stages 63 Project Hiring 66 Defining Team Roles and Responsibilities 67 Project Communication 71 Case Study 77 Chapter 5 Finalizing Estimates and Budgets 81 Building a Bottom-Up Estimate 81 Performing an Estimate Analysis 89 Creating the Project Budget 94 Case Study 98 Chapter 6 Creating the Project Schedule 103 Introducing Activity Sequencing 103 Estimating Activity Durations 104 Defining Activity Precedence 106 Developing the Schedule 108 Seeing How We Really Do It 115 Case Study 118 Chapter 7 Defining Your Quality Management Plan 123 Implementing Quality Processes 124 Using Quality Resources 126 Creating a Quality Management Plan 135 Case Study 136 Chapter 8 Defining the Procurement Management Plan 139 Purchasing Goods and Services 139 Knowing When Should You Use an Attorney 144 Case Study 148 Chapter 9 Formalizing the Plan 151 Creating the Project Kickoff Meeting Agenda 151 Facilitating the Kickoff Meeting 154 Case Study 158 Appendix A Nine Knowledge Areas Refresher 161 Project Management Process Groups 161 Project Management Knowledge Areas 167 Appendix B Project Planning Templates 173 Glossary 193 Index 201

About the Author :
Catherine A. Tomczyk, PMP has 25 years of experience managing projects and developing highly motivated teams. She currently serves as project manager for First Data Corporation.