Project Management For Dummies

The bestselling "bible" of project management In today′s time–crunched, cost–conscious global business environment, tight project deadlines and stringent expectations are the norm. Now with 25 percent new and updated content, Project Management For Dummies introduces you to the principles of successful project management and shows you how to motivate any team to gain maximum productivity. You′ll learn how to organize, estimate, and schedule projects efficiently and effectively. You′ll also discover how to manage deliverables, issue changes, assess risks, maintain communications, and live up to expectations by making the most of the latest technology and software—and by avoiding common problems that can trip up even the best project managers. The latest information on measuring project management ROI and value to the organization (and customers) Managing Continuous Process Improvement Examples of formats used for different aspects of project management Managing distressed projects and managing multiple team projects Hierarchical decomposition and how it can dramatically improve the effectiveness of project planning and control The latest trend of embracing the use of social media to drive efficiency and improve socialization New information on managing and resolving conflicts that occur during a project Explanations of concepts tested in the PMP certification exam with study tips and practices to help you pass Project Management For Dummies gives professionals like you everything you need to be successful project managers.

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with Project Management 7 Chapter 1: Project Management: The Key to Achieving Results 9 Chapter 2: Knowing Your Project&rsquo,s Audience: Involving the Right People 29 Chapter 3: Clarifying What You&rsquo,re Trying to Accomplish &mdash, And Why 51 Chapter 4: Developing Your Game Plan: Getting from Here to There 77 Part II: Planning Time: Determining When and How Much 105 Chapter 5: You Want This Project Done When? 107 Chapter 6: Establishing Whom You Need, How Much, and When 143 Chapter 7: Planning for Other Resources and Developing the Budget 165 Chapter 8: Venturing into the Unknown: Dealing with Risk 177 Part III: Group Work: Putting Your Team Together 197 Chapter 9: Aligning the Key Players for Your Project 199 Chapter 10: Defi ning Team Members&rsquo, Roles and Responsibilities 213 Chapter 11: Starting Your Project Team Off on the Right Foot 235 Part IV: Steering the Ship: Managing Your Project to Success 255 Chapter 12: Tracking Progress and Maintaining Control 257 Chapter 13: Keeping Everyone Informed 281 Chapter 14: Encouraging Peak Performance by Providing Effective Leadership 301 Chapter 15: Bringing Your Project to Closure 315 Part V: Taking Your Project Management to the Next Level 327 Chapter 16: Using Technology to Enhance Project Planning and Management 329 Chapter 17: Monitoring Project Performance with Earned Value Management 343 Part VI: The Part of Tens 359 Chapter 18: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself as You Plan Your Project 361 Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Being a Better Project Manager 365 Appendix: Combining the Techniques into Smooth–Flowing Processes 369 Index 373