Introduction | Book Structure | What We Liked: Ronald's Perspective
What We Liked: Use of Unique Parameters | Downside | Summary | Postscript
Issues & Responses: Introduction | Issues & Responses: What We Liked
Issues & Responses: Downside | Issues & Responses: Summary

What We Liked: Use of Unique Parameters

To bring some clarity to the discussion in his book, and based on his research and thirty years of experience in project management, Ronald has chosen to divide project management into seven categories, five leadership roles and five skill set levels. These are as follows:[4]

Project management categories:

1. Small project
2. Intermediate project
3. Large project
4. Program
5. Virtual project or program
6. International project or program, and
7. Large-scale project or program

Note that the first four are increasing in size whereas the last three are "specialty" projects. Note also that, as we mentioned earlier, the corresponding descriptions provided are most likely applicable to the high-tech industries.[5] An example of these descriptions is:

"A small project is [one] led by a project coordinator, usually involving less than six people who are from the same or similar disciplines. It is a simple task of low complexity and low risk."[6]

Leadership roles:

1. Coordinator
2. Supervisor
3. Manager
4. Director
5. Vice President

This is a useful hierarchy, although the importance of the coordinator's role in facilitating development of the project plan during the project's definition and development phase for any size of project should not be overlooked.

Using these three parameters, the book contains a number of tables and descriptive texts to describe the various opportunities and corresponding requirements that should be helpful in setting a career path. Each skill set is further subdivided into three nominal proficiency levels, namely, basic, advanced and expert. Chapter 7 provides five tables corresponding to the five skill-set levels, each containing project management process skills that together total 47 in all. These process skills are flagged as one of "Firm", "Soft", or a "Combination" of both. You can use the tables to assess your own personal proficiency in project management.[8]

What We Liked: Ronald's Perspective

Downside

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