Project Management for Small Projects - Softcover

Rowe, Sandra R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567264743 ISBN 13: 9781567264746

Publisher: Management Concepts, Inc, 2015

Synopsis

Important New Tools for Managing Your Small Projects As Part of a Larger Program! The first edition of Project Management for Small Projects introduced project management processes, tools, and techniques that are scalable and adaptable to small projects. Project managers learned a structured, disciplined approach to managing small projects sensibly and realistically. This new edition is updated throughout to reflect the PMBOK® Guide, Fifth Edition, balancing the particular needs of small projects with the project management methodology. Project managers who are proficient at managing and leading their own projects are increasingly being called upon to work collaboratively with other project managers to lead components of a program. In addition to knowing how to manage processes and how to lead the team, project managers must now also know how to collaborate and share knowledge with other project managers. A new chapter on program management offers important insights and guidance for managing a group of related small projects in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually.

About this title

About the Author

Sandra Rowe, PhD, PMP, MBA, MSCIS, has more than 25 years of project management experience. Her responsibilities have included leading information technology and process improvement projects; developing project management processes, tools, and techniques; and designing, developing, and delivering project management training programs. She has taught graduate-level project management courses and speaks regularly on project management processes, project management for small projects, the project office, knowledge sharing, and lessons learned

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Project Management for Small Projects

By Sandra F. Rowe

Management Concepts Press

Copyright © 2015 Management Concepts, Inc.
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-56726-474-6

Contents

Preface, 
Acknowledgments, 
Part 1 Project Management Discipline, 
Chapter 1 Introduction to Project Management, 
Chapter 2 Concerns for Small Projects, 
Chapter 3 Managing and Leading Small Projects, 
Chapter 4 Pre-Project Activities, 
Part 2 Project Management Process for Small Projects, 
Chapter 5 Process Overview, 
Chapter 6 Initiating, 
Chapter 7 Planning for Small Projects, 
Chapter 8 Planning for Simple Projects, 
Chapter 9 Controlling, 
Chapter 10 Closing, 
Part 3 Additional Discipline, 
Chapter 11 Managing Multiple Small Projects, 
Chapter 12 Projects as Part of a Program, 
Chapter 13 Building Effective Teams, 
Chapter 14 The Power of One, 
Chapter 15 Transitioning to Larger Projects, 
Glossary, 
Index, 

CHAPTER 1

Introduction to Project Management

Most organizations rely on a variety of projects, both large and small. Although small projects have unique challenges that are not present in large projects, small projects can still benefit from a defined project management methodology. To achieve maximum benefits, the process, tools, and techniques must be scalable and adaptable. The more successful you are with managing small projects, the more opportunities you will have to obtain larger projects.

Almost everyone, to some degree, is involved with projects and should be prepared to manage them effectively. Project Management for Small Projects suggests an approach that allows the project manager to apply structure and discipline to managing small projects while balancing the needs of the project with the project management methodology.

Project Management Best Practices

A best practice is an activity that has proven to be successful over time. Some project management best practices include:

• Developing a project charter

• Documenting project requirements

• Using a project schedule to plan and monitor project activities

• Managing project risks

• Communicating to project stakeholders.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Projects are a more important part of business now than they ever have been. They exist at all levels of every organization and must be managed proactively, regardless of size. Normally when we think of projects, we think of large initiatives such as developing a new product or service, developing a new information system or enhancing an existing one, constructing a building, or preparing for a major sports event. Small projects are not always viewed as projects and therefore are not always treated as projects — especially smaller, more informal projects, which are often called assignments.

Definition of a Project

As stated in the PMBOK® Guide, Fifth Edition, a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. A project can create:

• A product that can be a component of another item, an enhanced item, or an end item in itself

• A service or a capability to perform a service

• A result, such as an outcome or document.

A project has three distinct characteristics.

1. A project is temporary in that it has a beginning and an end. A project always has a defined start and end date. The project begins with a statement of work or some form of description of the product, ser

Edition details

• Publisher: Management Concepts, Inc
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1567264743
• ISBN 13: 9781567264746
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 219