Introduction
We've often wondered just how many "processes" there are that are specific, or at least relevant, to project management. Now author Tom Kendrick provides at least a large part of the answer. Tom has identified and provided how-to instructions on one hundred of them in his book: The Project Management Tool Kit.[1] True that thirty-nine of them are lifted out of the Project Management Institute's Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 2000, and that some of these have been changed in the 2004 version of the Guide. Still, the differences are not necessarily material from a practical standpoint.
As Tom says on the back cover of his book:
"The Project Management Tool Kit collects the best known project management techniques in an easy-to-apply, accessible format. The book presents easy-to-understand summaries of every indispensable practice, showing you step-by-step how to handle important considerations like:
- Cost estimating and budgeting
- Communications and technology
- Goals for individuals and project teams
- Negotiation and decision-making
- Establishing and retaining management support
- Implementing change and process improvement
- Quality assurance and control
- Risk assessment and management
- Scheduling and time management
- And more - 100 subjects in all"
Tom adds:
"You'll also find helpful checklists and other tools for quick implementation. If you're a novice, the book will lead you calmly and effectively through unknown territory. And if you're an experienced project manager, this complete guide will serve as a repository of process checklists to ensure that you never forget a step, even when handling the most unusual or complicated projects."
Well, that might be a bit optimistic, but in general we would agree and it certainly is useful to have a reference to this kind of guidance all in one place - a sort of handy generic pocket-sized procedures manual.
1. Kendrick, T.,
The Project Management Tool Kit, AMACOM, NY, 2004
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