Project Management Tools and Techniques: A Practical Guide

A combination of art and skill that results in the balancing of project objectives against restraints of time, budget, and quality, effective project management requires skill and experience as well as many tools and techniques. Project Management Tools and Techniques: A Practical Guide describes these tools and techniques and how to use them, giving students the strong foundation they need to develop the skills and experience needed for a successful career in project management. The first five sections discuss a typical project life cycle, and beginning with an introduction to project management in terms of the role it plays in the organization and how a business case drives the process. From this starting point, the various planning and control-oriented techniques described evolve this process through the life cycle from scope development to completion. The final section closes the discussion with a group of more contemporary topics labeled "advanced." These are essential tools that need to be in wide use but are still evolving in practice. Most of the chapters supply sample questions and exercises to help with a review of the material. Each of the authors has extensive real-world experience in her or his respective professional areas with a combined experience of about 100 years. They have selected topics based on their valuation of the tool and its project management value. They present the material in such a way that the concepts can be applied to any project. Once this material is mastered, students will have a good overview regarding the basic planning and control actions required by a project manager. Also, this book will make a great reference guide that can be used by project managers and team members for years to come.

Table of Contents:
ROLE OF THE PROJECT Learning objectives Overview Reference Role of the Project Introduction Section I—Role of the Project Section II—Project Formulation Using Tools and Techniques Section III—Developing Project Scope Section IV—Tools and Techniques for Developing the Project Plan Section V—Project Execution Section VI—Advanced Tools and Techniques Appendices Section Summary References Project Management in a Nutshell Introduction Methodology Project Requirements Definition Workshops Brainstorming Understanding the Project Business Case Project ranking matrix How to Evaluate and Prioritize IT Project Proposals Quality Management Microsoft Project 2010 Challenging References Power and Politics Root Cause of Power and Politics Organizational Structures Summary References PROJECT FORMULATION USING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Learning Objectives Overview Picking the right projects Introduction Nonfinancial Decision Models Summary References Gaining support for a project Management Approach Project Manager Stakeholders Project Sponsor Project Charter Summary References Section III: Developing project scope Defining a Project Scope Planning and Definition Staffing and Team Management Summary References Developing the work breakdown structure Introduction Defining project work units Role and structure of the project WBS WBS decomposition mechanics Sample WBS WBS numbering scheme WBS structure model comparison WBS dictionary Other WBS views Project templates Project scope baseline WBS design exercise Summary References Activity estimating Introduction Cost Estimating An Estimate for Digging a Hole Definitional Process Estimate Creation Estimating Components Estimating Checklist Summary References TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DEVELOPING THE PROJECT PLAN Learning Objectives Overview Model Schedule and Cost View Chapter Sequence Creating the Project Schedule Introduction Work Activities Sequencing Activities Software Modeling Predecessor Relationship Codes Work Unit Resources Estimating Activity Durations Developing the Project Schedule MSP Schedule Generation Mechanics (Stage One) Sample First Cut Schedule Problem Results for the First Cut Plan Critical Path Summary Supplementary Technical Reference References Creating the Project Budget Introduction Key Terms Cost Allocation Mechanics Example Budget Overruns Cost Accuracy Cost Capture Process Resource Components Resource Pool Resource Analysis Pool Project Example Problem Dealing with Murphy’s Law Variability Sources The Total Project Budget Summary Practice Exercise References Introduction to Risk Risk Management Formal Risk Legislation Project Risk Management Risk Identification Risk Register Summary References Creating a Viable Project Plan Plan Tweaking Strategies Summary References Finalizing the Project Plan Reviewing the Project Plan Components WBS Control Structure Reserve Funds Budget Structure and Format Management Control Structure Budget Categories Project Repository Final Project Plan Format Communicating The Plan Planning Stage Close References PROJECT EXECUTION Key Performance Indicators Earned Value Status Tracking Influencing Project Outcomes Integrated Change Control and Scope Management Resource Leveling Summary Key Performance Indicators Introduction to KPIs Developing KPIs and KPQs Metrics, Measures, Critical Success Factors, and KPIs Selecting KPIs Analytical Hierarchy Process KPIs as Individual Performance Measures Data Collection KPI Graphics Summary References Chapter 15 Earned Value Management Introduction Basic EV Principles EV Framework EV Notation EV Core Status Formulas Gantt Bar Example Critical Ratio Performance Evaluation and Forecasting Parameters MSP Mechanics Using a Spreadsheet Plan to Calculate EV Parameters EV Earning Rules Labor Efficiency and Rate Analysis Earned Schedule EV Work Unit Component Interpretation Project Operational Data Repository Summary References Other Earned Value Reference Sources for Further Reading Project Tracking Status Introduction Status reports Issue log Project Plan Communications Project Statistics and Baselining Text-Based Reports Visual Reports: Excel Visual Reports: Visio Summary References Techniques to Influence the Project Outcome Introduction Scope Management Project Management Schedule Management Summary References Integrated Change Control Introduction CRs and change boards CM in ICC ICC process ICC costs Summary References Resource Leveling Introduction to resource leveling Managing resource leveling Resource leveling reallocation examples Summary References ADVANCED TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Variable Time Analysis Simulation Modeling Risk Mechanics Team Tools Enterprise PMO Summary Variable Time Project Planning Introduction PERT History and Theory PERT Mechanics Project Schedule Range Quantification Triangular Distributions Using Macros for Calculation Summary References Simulation Modeling Introduction to Simulation Modeling Monte Carlo Executing the Model Summary References Risk Mechanics Risk Management Risk Analysis Risk Response Planning Risk Monitoring and Control Summary References Team Tools: RAM Charts and Staffing Profile Organizational Definition Roles and Responsibilities Matrix Tracking Tools and Techniques Project Close-Out Summary References Enterprise Project Management Office Introduction Project, Program, and Portfolio Management Prioritize Projects to Align with Strategic Plans Moving to the Enterprise Project Management Office (or the Rough Road Going from Point "A" to Point "B") Summary References Appendix A: MS Project Lab Assignment: A Life Cycle View Appendix B: MSP 2010 Commands Appendix C: Templates Appendix D: MS Project Add-In Utilities Appendix E: Variable Time Macro Appendix F: Text Support Systems Index

Review :
"... step-by-step tools and techniques on the planning, execution and control of a project ... invaluable for the novice/student." -Prof. William A Moylan, PhD, PMP, Eastern Michigan University, Farmington Hills, USA "... a very well written book. Simple, easy to follow, extremely practitioner and tool oriented and is very useful in real world from a novice user to most advanced user." -Dr. Subramanyam Naidu Rayapati, IBM, Austin, Texas, USA