Book 2 - Improving Your Project Management Skills, Second Edition by Larry Richman, 2012
Introduction
This book is based on the American Management Association's popular seminar:
Improving Your Project Management Skills. This second edition has been
updated for consistency with PMI's A Guide to the Project Management Body of
Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide. In general it reflects the latest standards
and provides current project management practices and examples. As such it follows
the natural and logical sequence of managing a project from Initiating
to Closing.
Thus the book guides the reader step-by-step through the processes encountered
in the life of a project, beginning with defining the project scope and requirements.
It explains how to create a work breakdown structure (WBS) and diagram the activities
into a logical sequence using simple network diagrams. It then describes techniques
for estimating work on these activities, including trade-offs in time, cost, and
resource allocation. The reader may then learn how to compile their schedules,
budgets, and resource plans into a comprehensive project plan.[17]
According to the Larry Richman's Introduction:[18]
"Chapters [of the book] will teach you how to monitor and control project activities
using your project plan as a baseline. In addition to hard project management
skills, you will learn the people skills needed to lead and direct project teams
to get the job done. The book also includes chapters on identifying and managing
risk and how to properly close the project and document lessons learned."
Larry is also quick to point out that:[19]
"Some projects are ambitious and far-reaching in their social, economic, and
political impacts. Others are less grand and more self-contained. Some require
advances in basic science, and others deploy proven technology or best practices.
Some projects challenge deeply held beliefs, and others uphold traditional values.
And some projects fail. [Nevertheless,] The goal is always to achieve some beneficial
change."
Although not specifically mentioned, it is evident that the target audience
is those who have had some limited project experience in the corporate organizational
world. And now it is time to smarten up with real project management tools and
their consistent application.
About the author
Larry Richman is a certified Project Management Professional ("PMP") with more
than 30 years of experience teaching and practicing project management. He
has developed and implemented computer-assisted project management systems and
has authored thirteen books, including four on project management. He lives in
Salt Lake City Utah.
17. Richman,
Larry, Improving Your Project Management Skills, 2nd edition, American
Management Association, NY, 2012
18. Ibid, p1-2
19. Ibid, p6
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Book 1 -
Enterprise Project Governance
