Papers | |
- Seeking Project Management Employment
- Last January, I wrote a piece on searching for project management talent from the perspectie of the corporate staff recruiter. This time I want to look at the Job-Applicant's side of the challenge. First how to establish what you should be looking for and secondly, how and where to find it. 05/22
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- Project Management Institute in the Past - A Promotional Folder Resurrected
- Max provides a brief dip into the past by displaying the contents of a flyer created and distributed by the Project Management Institute around 1985. This flyer provided a very clear image of what the basics of project management are really all about. 12/21
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- A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (The PMBOK© Guide, 7th Edition) Published by the Project Management Institute (Book Review)
- This "book" is the second of two in the same publication by the Project Management Institute as discussed last month. It is a marked departure from previous editions of the PMBOK Guide. Compared to the 6th Edition, a lot of extraneous detail of a behavioral nature has been included, while a lot of important material identifying specific skill sets has been omitted. Readers could be very disappointed. 11/21
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- The Standard for Project Management - ANSI/PMI 99-001-2021 Published by the Project Management Institute (Book Review)
- This "book" is the first of two in a new publication titled PMBOK GUIDE, 7th Edition, by the Project Management Institute. The contents of this "Standard" elaborate considerable on what was previously Chapter 3 in previous editions of the PMBOK Guide. Readers seeking a standard content reflecting the project management profession may be disappointed. 10/21
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- Lead Successful Projects By Antonio Nieto‑Rodriguez (Book Review)
- The target readership for this book is any CEO and their immediate underlings whose organization is ultimately responsible for significant projects in their organization. Culled from Antonio's years of major project experience, this book is packed with sound advice based on a new set of ten essential principles. 08/21
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- Introduction to Disciplined Agile Delivery By Mark Lines and Scott W. Ambler (Brief Reflection)
- The term "Agile" seems to be a part of almost every promotion these days, especially relating to software development. It's time to learn more through Mark and Scott's recently re-published book. 07/21
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- Program and Program Management Definitions
(New and Improved)
- A constructive exchange between Max Wideman and expert Darya Dumar in pursuit of better general definitions of the labels: "Program" and "Program Management". 06/21
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- Program Management Basics
- A Primer on Program Management. This detailed description describes much more than basic project management because program management is different. 05/21
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- How the Great Pyramid Was Built
- A detailed analysis, based on modern understanding of project management, of the construction of an incredible stone monument, built to exacting details some 4,500 years ago. 04/21
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- I Hereby Resign
- For anyone contemplating changing their employment, Steven provides essential advice. Keep it for when you need it - you surely will at some time in your career. 03/21
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- Major Construction Project Scope/Cost Financial Accounting Case Study:
A Project to build a permanent "Olympic Village" to house athletes for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver BC Canada
- Analyze three news reports at the time and draw your own conclusions. 12/20
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- Project Management for Education & Educators
By Walter Ginevri and Bernie Trilling (Book Review)
- This two-sided book recognizes that project management is a life skill for the modern generation. It should therefore be a part of every kid's basic education. Project management is being discussed in some schools, but the abilities are not practiced widely enough. This book is a call to PM's and Educators to promote establishing project skills as a standard part of child education. 11/20
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- UBC PMP Assignment - Interview Request
Rick Mann Asks and Max Wideman Responds
- A record of an interesting and valuable exchange of emails in which Rick Mann asks some serious questions about project management and Max attempts a serious opinion. 10/20
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- Filling Execution Gaps - How Executives and Project Managers turn Corporate Strategy into Successful Projects
By Todd C. Williams (Book Review)
- Through Todd's many years of corporate management experience he has uncovered six areas of typical shortcomings or failure in communication. He calls these "Execution Gaps" in top management responsibilities. 09/20
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- The Front-End of Projects: A Systematic Literature Review and Structuring
By Terry Williams, Hang Vo, Knut Samset & Andrew Edkins (Extractions and Observations)
- Terry and his team bring us a welcome and thorough dissertation on the span of work and effort involved in the "front-end" of the project life span based on a systematic review of PM publications published between January 2006 and September 2017. 09/20
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- When Does a Project Actually Start? - Part 2
- In this Part 2, we discovered a failure to properly understand the role of the "Project Life Span" (cycle), a failure to agree on a meaningful definition of the term "project", and as Peter Morris suggests, a recognition that the so-called "front end" or "Pre-project activities" is where things can go badly wrong and, by implication, where the project starts. 08/20
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- When Does a Project Actually Start? - Part 1
- First, what do we mean by a "project"? An early view by experts, now a more up-to-date view. But do we recognise it in practice? And why does it matter? 07/20
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- Effective Data Visualization, 2nd Edition By Stephanie D.H. Evergreen (Book Review)
- Here is an opportunity to learn how to handle data and present it graphicaly according to its data type, and the need to get its impact across forcibly to your intended audience. 06/20
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- The Art of Positive Politics - A Key to Delivering Successful Projects By Vijay K. Verma (Book Recommendation)
- How to handle negative comments while promoting your own project. Instead, publicize a positive image. 03/20
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- Climate Change Means Changing the Climate - Or Can We Realistically Do That?
- For such a project, if possible, means doing "due diligence" at the front end. This paper includes Bryan McConachy's pitch, Max's response, a suggested scope and justification, and a perspective by Helen Cooke. 02/20
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- Earned Benefit Program Management - Aligning, Realizing, and Sustaining Strategy By Crispin ("Kik") Piney, PMP
(Book Review)
- A very solid treatise that explores and expands in great detail on the whole domain of project management from the project level, to program, to portfolio, including the necessary close relationship with on-going operations. 01/20
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- Succeeding with Senior Management
- Getting the right support at the right time for your project By G. Michael Campbell, PMP
(Book Review)
- This book is really all about Information & Communication Management, that is, with senior management starting with your project's sponsor. The book provides valuable advice on how to get what your project needs.05/19
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- Policies, Principles, Practices, Procedures and Core Concepts
- In past years we have made attempts to establish a set of "First Principles" for project management (11/03 & 04/09) but we have run into trouble. Turns out the word "Principles" has several meanings. Instead, "Core Concepts" has been suggested as an alternative, and these concepts have been redefined and elaborated with the objective of establishing some consensus. 04/19
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- Project
Management Body of Knowledge Revisited - Part 2: The Framework Rationale
- Like Part 1, this Part 2 is also a virtual repeat of what I wrote 30 years ago to establish a "framework" in which managing any sort of project can be successfully conducted. The highlight of this article is the clear and full definition of what a project really is, and hence what has to be done to manage one.
Read it in conjunction with the observations in my Musings: A Look Back at the Original (PMBOK) Framework - Part 2. 01/19
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- Project
Management Body of Knowledge Revisited, 2018 - Part 1:
- This paper is essentially
a repeat of what I wrote over 30 years ago when "inventing" the "PMBOK"
(1986-7). Please read in conjunction with this month's Musings - A
Look Back - where I have taken the opportunity to make the comparison with
where we are today. 12/18
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- Mastering
Organizational Change By Barbara A. Davis
(Book Review)
- Barbara describes how to overcome the inevitable
challenges involved in organizational change management (OCM), and includes in-depth
descriptions of the available range of techniques available for doing so. 10/18
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- Implementing
Positive Organizational Change - A Strategic Project Management Approach By Gina Abudi
(Book Review)
- Gina's book provides practical advice for
anyone contemplating or managing a significant re-working and re-staffing within
their organization. 09/18
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- Influence
Redefined By Stacey Hanke (Book Review)
- How influential are you ... really? Maybe you are not as influential
as you think you are. Find out by reading Stacey's book about her influence model
and how to climb its ladder. 08/18
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- Book
Reviews — Set #6 (Two brief critiques)
- Book 1: What if Common Sense was
Common Practice in Business? Creating a culture of clear communication in the
organization by Rex Conner, 2014
- Book
2: A Pocket Guide to Stakeholders'
Management
Engagement. Realistically you cannot "manage" stakeholders — you
need to engage them! By George Jucan, 2017. 07/18 |
|
- Situational
Project Management - The Dynamics of Success and Failure By Oliver F. Lehmann
(Book Review)
- An excellent treatise on all kinds of tough
situations that project managers may have to face in the real world of project
management. Those with lesser experience may easily overlook the potential dangers
in the situations described. The reader will not find this type of learning and
solutions in popular methodology expositions. 06/18
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- Global
Complex Project Management - An Integrated Adaptive Agile and PRINCE2 LEAN Framework
for Achieving Success By Robert K. Wysocki, PhD, and
Colin Bentley (Book Review)
- Clearly, in the minds of
these authors, managing large complex projects successfully have to be managed
differently. That is especially true of IT and HT projects. Their book recommends
a judicious mix of both Agile and Traditional, applied in the right sequence.
05/18
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- Waterfall
versus Agile - Which is the Right Development Methodology for Your Project?
- Sorting out the differences and making the selection simple. 04/18
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- The
Five Hour Workday By Stephan Aarstol (Book Review)
- Is
a five-hour work day really likely, or even possible? Stephan explains why it
would be so beneficial to the organization as well as the individual and confirms
that it is possible - because in his company he just did. 11/17
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- How to
Manage Complex Programs - High-Impact Techniques for Handling Project Workflow,
Deliverables, and Teams By Tom Kendrick (Book Review)
- Tom
writes for Program Managers rather than Project Managers and large
projects at that. He reveals the fundamental concepts and proven approaches that
will help you master program management from initiation through execution and
successful closure. 10/17
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- The Social
Project Manager - Balancing Collaboration with Centralized Control in a Project
Driven World By Peter Taylor (Book Review)
- For
projects in the office work environment, Peter describes a non-traditional way
of organizing projects, and managing project performance and progress. The aim
is to harnesses the performance advantages of a collaborative community. 09/17
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- Delivering
Successful PMOs - How to Design and Deliver the Best Project Management Office
for Your Business
- Peter Taylor provides a very thorough and easy-to-follow
approach to designing and succeeding in establishing a PMO for a very large project
or program. 08/17
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- Project
Risk Management in Infrastructure Development: Pushing the Boundaries in a Major
Upheaval
- How to develop a flexible risk management strategy of priorities
for a large project or program based on the project's risk profile and the organization's
"risk appetite". 08/17
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- The
Challenge for the Wideman Glossary 6.1 Update - Can the Glossary be made more
user-focused?
- We have divided up the Glossary database into sets that
focus on specific user needs. Thus, by cutting out long lists of terms and definitions
that are not relevant to a particular focus at hand, we expect the resulting Glossaries
will be more relevant and more easily navigated. 07/17
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- What's
New in Glossary v6.1?
- By increasing our Wideman Comparative Glossary
by more that 1,000 entries, and extending its range beyond the work of a single
project, we have the opportunity to change the manner of presentation. As you
will see from this article, we now offer sets of terms extracted from our overall
list, but which each focuses on a particular aspect of the project management
domain. 06/17
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- Capital
Projects By Paul Barshop (Book Review)
- After
the last two papers, it is appropriate that Paul Barshop should come along with
"What every executive needs to know to avoid costly mistakes and make
major investments pay off", the sub-title of his book. Paul writes a
clear description of the project management Stage-Gate process, and why it is
so important for executives to understand it and implement it. 02/17
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- Olympic
Village Project Fiasco (Case Study)
- A
second-hand account of what appeared to have happened in the financing of an actual
large scale project. Includes suggested case study issues for discussion. 12/16
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- Procuring
Successful Mega-Projects - How to Establish Major Government Contracts Without
Ending up in Court By Louise Hart (Book Review)
- The
bigger the project the greater the chance of failure should come as no surprise.
Dollar wasting fiascos seem to come from poorly conceived procurement that waste
billions, especially in the public sector. Louise's light hearted review details
what mistakes to avoid. 12/16
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- More on the
Definition of "Project" and a Final Conclusion - Part 2
- Last month
we concluded that most of the definitions of the term "project" are
inadequate in explaining the difference from Business-as-Usual. This month we
do a more thorough analysis and conclude with a definition that draws out the
real differences. 11/16
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- Defining
the Term "Project" in the Context of Project Management - Part 1
- The
corner stone of a profession in project management is a definition of the term
"project". Here we review a recent blog by Dr. Lynda Bourne, the history,
the problem, attempts to solve it, and what we think should be done about it.
10/16
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- Wideman
Glossary Update Progress Report Structure around projects,
programs, portfolios and other definition challenges
- In attempting
an update of this Glossary we have encountered a number of challenges, not least
of which is how to make it more useful. But one thing we have learned is that
it is an excellent source of learning. Pick any definition and click on the associated
links. 9/16
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- Managing
Projects in Research and Development By Ron Basu
(Book Review)
- Ron makes an impassioned plea for project
management in Research and Development and describes what that means to both the
R&D sector and to the style of project management required. 8/16
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- Program
Management By Michel Thiry (Book Review)
- Michel
explains that Program Management is about delivering value, and the purpose of
this book is to present executives and academics alike with the issues that arise
in practice, in its implementation and performance within an organization. 5/16
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- The
Potential for A Project Management Framework Standard: Are we ready?
- Given
the meaning of "project management" in its broadest sense, can we accept
that the design of the Project Life Span is the dominant feature while a concurrent
Methodology is the sequential means for creating the required deliverable? 4/16
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- A Practical
Guide to Dealing with Difficult Stakeholders By Jake
Holloway, David Bryde and Roger Joby (Book Review)
- After
crossing the Business-Project Divide last month, it is reasonable to discuss the
stakeholders we may find there, such as Sponsors, other senior managers, internal
or external Customers, and of course your project Team. Jake, David and Roger
do an excellent job of exposing potential attitudes that will affect your project.
4/16
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- Bridging
the Business-Project Divide Techniques for Reconciling Business-as-Usual and Project
Cultures By John Brinkworth (Book Review)
- In
organizations these days, there are two cultures, two sets of expectations, two
languages: business-as-usual on the one hand, and the conduct of projects on the
other. As the title indicates, this book explains how to connect the two. 2/16
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- The
Essentials of Project Management, 4th Edition By Dennis Lock
(Book Review)
- This 4th Edition provides a valuable summary
of practical project management. It is a junior complement to, and keeps in step
with its mother text Project Management tenth edition. The latter was published
in 2013 and we reviewed it in November 2013. 1/16
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- Project
Management of Hotel Opening Processes By Gert Noordzij
(Book Review)
- In this book, Gert introduces us to a new
area of project management application. He shares some interesting insights into
hotel opennings, in particular the high rates of failure to open on time. Gert
recommends project management as the solution, but the underlying problem is the
culture and the need for a make over. 12/15
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- Going
Beyond the Waterfall - Managing Scope Effectively Across the Project Life Cycle
By Barbara Davis and Darren Radford (Book Review)
- Traditionally, "scope" is seen as a fixture based
on a thorough study of the project's "requirements". Not so, say the
authors. They see "managing scope" as a multi complex construct that
accepts the basic idea that scope is flexible like any of the other major components
of project management. 11/15
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- Projects
for Profit - An Insider's Guide to Delivering Projects and Getting Paid By Robin Hornby
(Book Review)
- Robin's book is about commercial project management
where you not only have to succeed in delivering a product, but you also have
to make a profit in the process. So you must also be a business person. This is
a very practical book offering advice based on extensive personal experience.
10/15
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- Winning
Answers to 500 Interview Questions By Lavie Margolin
(Book Review)
- Your project is finished and so is your employment.
Next is the interview stage in your personal life cycle. There are plenty of books
on how to seek out interviews, but few tell you what non-technical questions you
might expect and how to answer them. Lavie does just that, observing there are
only so many topics interviewers are likely to touch on. 9/15
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- Handbook
of Project Management - Fifth Edition By Rodney Turner
(Book Review)
- This 5th Edition has been substantially restructured.
Its first 4 parts describe: Projects - their context; Performance - managing delivery;
Process - from start to close-out; and Portfolio management. A fifth part provides
Perspectives on a variety of well-known projects. 8/15
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- Looking
For Success? First Know Your Project Type, Because Achieving Success Can Vary
with the Type of Product!
- The classic measure
is "on time, budget and specifications", but "success" is
best measured by "customer satisfaction". Hence know your "stakeholders"
and your "Project type". Both can have a big impact on how you manage.
8/15
| |
- Performance
Based Project Management - Increasing the Probability of Project Success By Glen B. Alleman
(Book Review)
- Glen's latest book describes how the project
management methods originating in the aerospace industry can be adapted to accommodate
any project, of any size, and in any industry. 7/15
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- Proactive
Project Management
By Morten Fangel (Book Review)
- A welcome change of perspective on the body of knowledge of
project management, its structure and practical reality in a world of "How
to" rather than "What is". Morten explains in detail "How
to make common sense common practice". 6/15
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- Achieving
Success on Large Projects through Public Relations
- This paper describes
the type of projects in question, what is meant by "stakeholders", and
how to create a favorable influence through a Project Public Relations Program.
2/15
| |
- Reconstructing
Project Management - Part 2
By Peter W. G. Morris
(Book Review) - Continuing Part 2 of his book, Peter covers
the basic project management functions and how managers should adapt their style
of management to the needs of the project. Then in his Part 3, Peter attempts
total reconstruction, focusing on the "front end", who is really responsible
for each of the phases involved, and arguing that the unit of project management
analysis is the project and not the process. 2/15
| |
- Reconstructing
Project Management - Part 1
By Peter W. G. Morris
(Book Review) - In this book, Peter has developed a thorough
study of project managagement in history, currently and where it should go. Academic?
Yes. But easy to read for valuable insights including things that need fixing
and why. 1/15
| |
- A Comparison
of Project, Program & Portfolio Management Responsibilities – and Who
Should Be Responsible For What
- By accepting the broader definition
of "Project Management" commonly implied in practice, we can envision
the typical vertical management structure in at least four levels. By identifying
appropriate responsibilities, boundary conflicts between the levels, and consequent
wasted management energy, can be avoided. Tables provide recommended responsibilities
in sixteen domains. 12/14
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- Defining
Project Success: Part 4 - In Examining Project Success, What Have We Learned?
- from Project Manager Community - Best Group for Project Management - This
Part summarizes contributors' thoughts on project success. Obviously, confusion
abounds. This is followed by our suggestions for resolving the main issues. 11/14
| |
- Defining
Project Success: Part 3 - Is Program Structuring the Answer to Project Success?
- from Project Manager Community - Best Group for Project Management - Max
suggests "success" is different according to the organizational level
of the observer and whether the focus is on the project or the performance of
the product. Others lend their support and describe their own experiences in different
industries. Emphasis is placed on clearly stating the success criteria at the
beginning of the project. 10/14
| |
- Defining
Project Success: Part 2 - Can We Bring Clarity to the Question?
-
from Project Manager Community - Best Group for Project Management - The
participants to this discussion search diligently for real definitions of "Project
Success" whether in the public or private sectors, from whose perspective,
and whether or not it stops at project completion or includes the success of the
resulting product. Scope creep and other interesting factors also enter the discussion
along with famous examples and an interesting analogy. 09/14
| |
- Defining
Project Success: Part 1 - Do Current Project Management Standards Make the Answer
Clear?
- from Project Manager Community - Best Group
for Project Management - Clearly there is no clear answer. Opinions
vary widely as heated exchanges in this conversation illustrate, and "official"
standards are also called to account. 08/14
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- Communicating
Projects An End-to-End Guide to Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Effective
Communication
By Ann Pilkington (Book Review)
- In Ann's book, she describes what you need to know about communicating
effectively in project work, things they don't tell you on official courses. 07/14
| |
- How Do
You Motivate Your Project Team?
The Project Manager
Network - #1 Group for Project Managers - Four outspoken
LinkedIn discussion contributors offer their personal experiences and advice on
how to get your project team going. There was not exact unanimity on the suggestions.
06/14
| |
- Handbook
of People in Project Management
Edited by Dennis Lock
and Lindsay Scott (Book Review) - This book is a major
treatise on its subject. Written by a number of different authors, the contents
cover a wide range of topics relevant to managing the people inevitably involved
in a project or program. It is seriously practical laced with a little humor rather
than dryly theoretical. 05/14
| |
- Total Construction
Project Management, Second Edition
By George J. Ritz
and Sidney M. Levy (Book Review) - George Ritz
wrote the original of this book in 1994. Much has changed in construction since
then. This update is written from the perspective of an on-site construction manager
in the typical North American environment. It is very detailed and very thorough.
03/14
| |
- The Focused
Organization - How Concentrating on a Few Key Initiatives Can Dramatically Improve
Strategy Execution
By Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
with foreword by Greg Balestrero (Book Review) - A
book for CEOs and the C-suite describing the challenge of balancing between "running-the-business"
and "changing-the-business" to achieve corporate strategies. Antonio
offers a new approach to strategy execution based on his experience and research.
01/14
| |
- Book
Reviews – Set #5 (Two brief critiques)
- Book 1: Project Management, Tenth
Edition, by Dennis Lock, 2013
-
11/13 - Book
2: Naked Project Management, The Bare Facts, by Dennis Lock, 2012
-
12/13 |
|
- Book
Reviews – Set #4 (Three brief critiques)
- Book 1: The Pocket Guide for Those
Daring Enough to Take Responsibility for Large Industrial Projects, by Jean-Pierre
Capron, 2012
- Book 2: Project Soft
Power - Learn the Secrets of the Great Project Leaders, by Jeremie Averous, 2012
- Book
3: A Compendium of PMO Case Studies: Reflecting Project Business Management
Concepts, by Dennis L. Bolles, PMP & Darrel G. Hubbard, PE, 2012
-
08/13 | |
- What is
Quality?
- Because quality is subjective it means different things
to different people. Read up on what it should mean to you as a project manager!
09/13
-
| |
- Book
Reviews – Set #3 (Three brief critiques)
- Book 1: Enterprise Project Governance:
A Guide to the Successful Management of Projects Across the Organization, by Paul
C. Dinsmore & Luiz Rocha, 2012
- Book
2: Improving Your Project Management Skills: Second Edition, by Larry Richman,
2012
- Book 3: Project Sustainability:
A Comprehensive Guide to Sustaining Projects, Systems and Organizations in a Competitive
Marketplace, by John N. Morfaw, MBA, 2011
-
08/13 | |
- Book
Reviews – Set #2 (Three brief critiques)
- Book 1: Project Management: Achieving
Competitive Advantage Second Edition, by Jeffrey K. Pinto, 2010
- Book
2: 101 Project Management Problems and How to Solve Them, by Tom Kendrick,
2011
- Book 3: Rescue the Problem
Project: A Complete Guide to Identifying, Preventing, and Recovering from Project
Failure, by Todd C. Williams, 2011
-
07/13 | |
- Book
Reviews – Set #1 (Three brief critiques)
- Book 1: An Introduction to Project
Management, 3rd and 4th Editions by Kathy Schwalbe, 2012
- Book
2: The Six Sigma Handbook, 3rd Edition by Pyzdek & Keller, 2009
- Book
3: Facilitating Project Performance Improvement by Jerry Julian, 2010
-
06/13 | |
- Managing
the Institutional Context for Projects:
Part 2 - Basic Research Urgently
Needed (Commentary)
- Following
the paper referenced in Part 1 of our review about Analyzing the Institutional
Level [of projects], authors Peter Morris and Joana Geraldi went
on to observe that "there are theories that apply at this level in ways that are
distinctive and useful". We ask — what theories? 05/13
| |
- Managing
the Institutional Context for Projects:
Part 1 - An Issue with Organizational
"Levels" (Commentary)
- In the
view of professors Morris and Geraldi, "Project management is widely seen
as delivering undertakings on time, on budget, and on scope [but] this conceptualization
fails to address the "front end" [of a project] and its management."
The authors explain their "three level" concept of the front-end, with
which we take issue because we see an extra level — the difference between
Project Management and Technology Management. 04/13
| |
- Fukushima
in Retrospect
- Along with shortage of land and water, the need
for energy is also becoming a serious issue. Oil is currently predominant by virtue
of its ease of distribution but undoubtedly polluting. Gas is clean but limited
in supply and much less flexible. Coal burning is downright dirty. Hence reconsideration
of nuclear power is timely. So what can we make of the Fukushima experiences?
Engineers weigh in. 03/13
| |
- A
Serious Answer to a Serious Question: What are the Fundamental Differences between
Project Work and Operations Work?
- In terms of managing project
and operations work we find that they are different, and by examining the respective
definitions we set out to prove why. 02/13
| |
- Governance
in the Project Management World
- What is "governance"
and what is its role in project portfolio management and project management? This
paper recommends appropriate guidelines for Project Portfolio Management Governance
that sets it apart from the governance of a single project. 01/13
| |
- Self-Promotion
for Introverts® - The quiet guide to getting ahead By Nancy Ancowitz
(Book Review)
- Are you uncomfortable promoting yourself?
If your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator starts with an "I", the answer is probably
"Yes"! But in project management, self-promotion is a necessary activity to get
work and especially to get ahead. Nancy's book is full of advice to help. 12/12
| |
- Financial
Accounting Support for Project Cost Control -
An Interesting Email Exchange
- Anibal Miranda requests best practices for Financial Accounting to support
Project Cost Accounting. Our answer may surprise you. 11/12
| |
- Is
"Project Manager" a Profession? - Part 2
A Blog Review
- Here's
a sampling of the most enlightened responses on both sides of the issue and what
we have concluded from the debate. 10/12
| |
- Is
"Project Manager" a Profession? - Part 1
A Blog Review
- Passionate
people weigh in on this question. See what they have to say and form your own
opinion. 09/12
| |
- Fundamentals
of Project Management, 4th Edition, Simple Solutions for Busy People By Joseph Heagney
(Book Review)
- A heart-warming compendium of the
basics of project management that every project manager should know without resorting
to system inputs and outputs. 07/12
| |
- A Trilogy of Books on Project Management
Book 4 - Managing Complex Projects
By Harold Kerzner
and Frank P. Saladis (Book Review)
- A
heart-warming compendium of the basics of project management that every project
manager should know without resorting to system inputs and outputs. 08/12
| |
- A Trilogy of Books on Project Management
Book 3 - Value-Driven Project Management
By Harold Kerzner and Frank P. Saladis (Book Review)
- A new perspective on traditional project management that has evolved
into a business process rather than a PM process. Advice for PMs in companies
that are innovative market leaders rather than followers.. 06/12
| |
- A Trilogy of Books on Project Management
Book 2 - What Functional Managers Need to Know
By Harold Kerzner and Frank P. Saladis (Book Review)
- Fast access for functional managers seeking project management wisdom
on six major topics. 05/12
| |
- A Trilogy of Books on Project Management
Introduction and Book
1 - What Executives Need to Know
By Harold Kerzner
and Frank P. Saladis (Book Review)
- Fast
access for those at the top seeking essential project management wisdom on eight
major topics. 04/12
| |
- The Lazy
Project Manager By Peter Taylor (Book Review)
- "Productive
Laziness" - a new style of managing projects? Read Peter's book to find out why.
02/12
| |
- Managing
the Cost of Meetings (Review)
- Are your
meetings really efficient or are they attended by too many, drag out too long
and burn up too much budget? Or do you get too many interruptions when you are
doing serious work? Two gadgets we describe here may just be the answer. 12/11
| |
- Project
Downsizing - Part 2: Execution (Case Study)
- So
how did the plan work out in practice? You be the judge. 10/11
| |
- Project
Downsizing - Part 1: The Business Case (Case Study)
- The
planning and justification of a very real and personal family project recorded
here as a general project management class exercise. 09/11
| |
- How to
Save a Failing Project: Chaos to Control By Ralph R. Young,
Steven M. Brady, & Dennis C. Nagle, Jr. (Book Review)
- "We
often hear about projects that are canceled, go over budget, are completed late,
or deliver less functionality than promised. Customers are dissatisfied, users
are disappointed, and project staff are frustrated and overworked." So bewails
Ralph and his co-authors. Read their book to save your project. 12/10
| |
- Strategic
DNA: Bringing Business Strategy to Life By Lawrence Hobbs
(Book Review)
- Of course projects should be aligned with
a successful corporate strategy, but that is not enough. Find out why in this
complete blueprint for successful organizational life. 11/10
| |
- The
Project Manager's Guide to Making Successful Decisions By
Robert A. Powell & Dennis M. Bued (Book Review)
- As
a project manager, your primary purpose is to lead by making decisions. Robert
and Dennis describe three ways of doing so and which is appropriate when. They
also point to the importance of implementing the decision once made. 10/10
| |
- Project
Decisions: The Art and Science By Lev Virine & Michael Trumper
(Book Review)
- A large part of a project manager's time
is involved in decision-making. Poor decisions lead to poor results, the source
of many project failures. Lev and Michael advocate for structured decision
analysis and illustrate their point with a tale from Christopher Robin's children's
story book. 09/10
| |
- Risks
in Political Projects - The New Scottish Parliament Building (Case
Study)
- A detailed study of a highly politicized real-life UK
project and all the things that in retrospect they did wrong. Was the resulting
building worth it? 08/10
| |
- Enterprise
Management Leadership (Case Study)
- Leadership
and determination are sometimes seen as opposite sides of the same coin. If a
project is not going well, whose fault is it? Wyrcan's example of a small company
in disarray serves as an object lesson for a large complex project. 07/10
| |
- Brainstorming
The PMBOK® Guide Fourth Edition By Muhamed Abdomerovic
(Book Review)
- As previously, the latest PMBOK® Guide (2008)
consists of nine interconnected "knowledge areas" involving forty-two nested "processes"
involving inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs. However, this complex system
does not explain what knowledge is being moved nor how the whole might be applied
to running an actual project. Muhamed's latest book explains what and how. 06/10
| |
- Three
Projects: Calgary's Saddledome; Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre; Kananaskis
Country Recreation Development (Case Studies)
- These
examples from Canadian Construction focus on scope and cost control. 05/10
| |
- Emotional
Intelligence for Project Managers - The People Skills You Need to Achieve Outstanding
Results By Anthony Mersino (Book Review)
- A
new angle for project management? Anthony converts a personal journey into a model
of self conduct to better manage project teams. But is it for you? 04/10
| |
- The Handbook
of Program Management: How to Facilitate Project Success with Optimal Program
Management By James T. Brown (Book Review)
- In
his book, James discusses the program manager's job in the real world of salesmanship
and relationship building. Along the way he provides valuable tips on how to extract
order out of typical chaos - hardly the accepted view of program management. 03/10
| |
- Project
Management Memory Jogger™ (Regular and Advanced) By
Paula Martin, Karen Tate and Cynthia Stackpole (Book Review)
- These
two books are must-have handy pocket-size how-to guides to practical project management.
Be ready wherever you go! 02/10
| |
- Basic
Project Management: Two Learning Books
• An
Introduction to Project Management, 2nd Edition by Kathy Schwalbe
• Successful
Project Management, 4th Edition by Jack Gido & James Clements
(Book Reviews) - What sort of instruction
are new entrants to project management being fed these days? We review two recent
examples of course books to find out. 11/09
| |
- Managing
Difficult Projects By André Costin (Book Review)
- Discovery,
strategy, definition, managing contracts and people are all serious challenges
in large and complex capital projects. André shares his experience and
advice. 10/09
| |
- Project
Management for Mere Mortals By Claudia M. Baca
(Book Review)
- Claudia provides a great and detailed walkthrough
of the Project Management Institute's five process groups: Initiation, Planning,
Execution, Controlling, and Closing for complex projects in the information and
corporate administration project industries. 09/09
| |
- Maximizing
Project Value: Defining, Managing, and Measuring for Optimal Return By
Jeff Berman (Book Review)
- Jeff suggests a new "Road
Map" to project value by shifting the emphasis to product value, providing valuable
insights along the way. The key is a winning Business Case. 08/09
| |
- Results
without Authority: Controlling a project when the team doesn't report to you
By Tom Kendrick (Book Review)
- How
do you control a project when your team does not report directly to you? Tom explains
how. 07/09
| |
- Building
a Century: A history of Bechtel and projects galore (Book Review/Case
study)
- The story of a young American who, in dire circumstances,
left farming for construction and founded a company spanning four family generations
and a century of building around the globe. 06/09
| |
- Total Quality
Management By John Morfaw (Book Review)
- The
health care industry in Africa is plagued by a catalogue of social, economic,
political, cultural, structural and organizational problems, needing reform. Morfaw
describes how TQM is the answer. 06/09
| |
- Ten
Commandments of Project Management: A brief guide to the art of righteous project
management By Robin Hornby, PMP
(Book Review)
- The rules engraved on tablets of stone
and brought down from Mount Sinai were adopted by Moses and his followers to create
a stable and manageable society. This book applies the same principle to project
management to keep you out of trouble. 06/09
| |
- First
Principles of Project Management - Part 2
- Eight First Principles spelled
out and explained together with the associated issues typically raised. Academia
rarely articulates these axioms. 05/09
| |
- First
Principles of Project Management - Part 1
- An updated introduction
to a paper last published in November 2003. A philosophical discussion of the
fundamental elements of project management and their associated issues. Academia
rarely articulates these axioms. 04/09
| |
- Managing
Successful Programs (2007) By Office of Government Commerce
(OGC), UK (Book review)
- MSP has been completely rewritten since
its 2003 predecessor. The number of illustrations have been doubled with a corresponding
increase in explanatory text. The focus has shifted considerably with greater
emphasis on realization of benefits. 03/09
| |
- Stunning
New Depictions of PM Enabled by ConceptDraw Office
- A new systems model
of project management, a simplified mind map of project management knowledge,
and a SCOPE-PAK brainstorming exercise schedule all test the prowess of new cross-platform
graphics software. 02/09
| |
- Management
of Risk: Guidance for Practitioners By Office of Government
Commerce (OGC), UK (Book review)
- This new OGC publication provides
valuable counsel to corporate management on the handling of risk at all levels
whether project or non-project. 01/09
| |
- Risk
Management for IT Projects: How to Deal with Over 150 Issues and Risks
by Bennet P. Lientz & Lee Larssen (Book Review)
- Bennet
and Lee's book provides a useful catalogue of risks in IT work together with their
suggestions for identifying, tracking and handling. Choose your particular plight
from the Table of Contents. 12/08
| |
- Rainbows
& Ratholes - Best Practices for Managing Successful Projects by Dhanu M. Kothari
(Book review)
- With a subtle sense of humor, Dhanu presents
a series of essays on the 'what and how' of successful Project Management, complete
with diagrams and checklists. 11/08
| |
- PM World
Today Interviews Max Wideman - Part 3: Questions on Project Management Practice
- PM
World Today Managing Editor David Pells, in his last questions, asks Max his
views on project management practice, its development, its future, the most important
skills, and good advice to new entrants. 09/08
| |
- PM World
Today Interviews Max Wideman - Part 2: Activities with PMI®
- PM
World Today Managing Editor David Pells asks Max more questions, this time
about his contributions to PMI®. 08/08
| |
- PM World
Today Interviews Max Wideman - Part 1: Probing Max's Background
- PM
World Today Managing Editor David Pells asks Max some searching questions
about his involvement in project management; construction management; and heavy
construction. 07/08
| |
- The
Project Management Life Cycle by Jason Westland
(Book review)
- A thorough description of the project
life span and how to initiate, plan, execute and close a project successfully.
Complete with templates on a CD ROM. 06/08
| |
- PMHub.net
Interviews Max Wideman - The Person
- The editor of PMHub, a
web site dedicated to assisting managers study for the Project Management Institute's
PMP® or CAPM® exams, tests Max's credibility with some probing personal
questions. 05/08
| |
- Power
of Enterprise-Wide Project Management by Dennis L. Bolles
and Darrel G. Hubbard (Book review)
- The groundwork
for establishing an enterprise-wide project management office (EPMO) provides
good advice: start at the top where executive decisions are made. 02/08
| |
- The Empty
Carousel: A Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carry-on Luggage by
Scott T. Mueller (Book review)
- Good advice for the
travelling project manager - or anyone else for that matter. 12/07
| |
- Ten
Steps to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 8: More Tips
on Step 10 - Benefits of harvesting & reporting, roles, and changing
strategic direction. 04/08
| |
- Ten
Steps to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 7: Tips on Step
10 - Improving the portfolio: From product launch to project success
by ramping up the use of the product. 03/08
| |
- Ten Steps
to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 6: Tips on Steps 8
and 9 - Managing the portfolio: Plan & Execute the Work, Reporting &
Review. 02/08
| |
- Ten Steps
to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 5: Tips on Steps 5
to 7 - Logical progression: Prioritizing, Ranking, Balance and Optimizing,
and Authorization 01/08
| |
- Ten Steps
to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 4: Tips on Steps 1
to 4 - Logical progression: Setup, Needs/Opportunities, Evaluation and
Selection. 12/07
| |
- Ten
Steps to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 3: Projects,
Programs, Portfolios and Strategic Direction - A discussion of the PPM
environment including the role of the Project Management Office and the Project
Portfolio Steering Committee. 11/07
| |
- Ten
Steps to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 2: The Project
Portfolio Management Life Cycle - Ten steps to complete the entire PPM
cycle. 10/07
| |
- Ten Steps
to Comprehensive Project Portfolio Management
- Part 1: An Introduction - It
seems that project portfolio managers, and their responsible executives, still
have a lot to learn to make the process complete. 09/07
| |
- Napoleon
on Project Management by Jerry Manas (Book review)
- Jerry
describes the sheer brilliance, work ethic, and tenacity of this French leader
and connects it to the best in project management. 08/07
| |
- Selling
into Project Success
- You cannot really determine project success unless
you also examine product success. And if the product is a success who cares if
the project was late and over budget? But the hazards may be beyond the PM's control.
04/07
| |
- Credible
Ethics and the Environment
- Professional civil engineers are providers
of infrastructure for social good. In this paper we take serious issue over their
apparent denial of the associated "population problem". 03/07
| |
- Information
Systems Project Management, 2nd ed., How to Deliver Function and Value in Information
Technology Projects by Jolyon Hallows (Book review)
- Jolyon's
advice on managing software projects and what you need to know about project management
in that application domain. 02/07
| |
- Your
Successful Project Management Career by Ronald B. Cagle
(Book review)
- Ronald attempts to answer the almost endless
questions around what experience and training do you need and how do you manage
your career - from the perspective of the IT environment. But the real questions
are: What type of projects, and are you suited? 01/07
| |
- The Software
Development Edge: Essays on Managing Successful Projects by
Joe Marasco (Book review)
- Joe provides valuable lessons
for project managers, especially those in the world of software development. 12/06
| |
- The
Right Projects Done Right! (From Business Strategy to Successful Implementation)
by Paul C. Dinsmore and Terence J. Cooke-Davies
(Book review)
- Paul and Terry join hands across the Atlantic
to shed serious light on project portfolio management. 11/06
| |
- Project
Portfolio Management: A Practical Guide To Selecting Projects, Managing Portfolios
and Maximizing Benefits by Harvey A. Levine (Book
review)
- Is "PPM" just another project management technique
or is it serious business? Harvey obviously thinks the latter. 10/06
| |
- PRINCE2,
2005 Edition - Part 2 Published by TSO for the Office of
Government Commerce, UK (Book review)
- In this Part 2 we discuss
some of the PRINCE2 concepts, the downsides we see in the methodology and our
conclusions. 09/06
| |
- PRINCE2,
2005 Edition - Part 1 Published by TSO for the Office of
Government Commerce, UK (Book review)
- We provide our views
of this widely recognized UK project management standard methodology, emphasizing
the things we like. 08/06
| |
- The Project
Management Tool Kit (100 tips and techniques for getting the job done right)
by Tom Kendrick (Book review)
- Tom has
assembled a compendium of 100 frequently-used project management "processes".
A valuable and handy little reference book of tools and techniques. 06/06
| |
- Agile Project
Management by Barry Chin, published by AMACOM, NY,
2004 (Book review)
- Barry makes a good case for "agile"
project management – under the right circumstances. We review the advantages
and disadvantages. 05/06
| |
- Managing
Successful Programs Published for Office of Government
Commerce, UK (Book review)
- This book, written for the UK Government,
explains what a "programme" really is and how to manage all kinds. Much
different from its previous 1999 edition, there is a lot to learn even from this
paper. 03/06
| |
- The Project
Management Question and Answer Book by Michael W. Newell, PMP,
and Marina N. Grashina, PMP, AMACOM, NY, 2003 (Book review)
- Real
answers for real people, a valuable library addition. 02/06
| |
- Project
Cost Control: The Way it Works
- It's not that difficult in theory.
It's a lot more difficult in practice. This paper takes you right through the
project life span. 01/06
| |
- Financially
Focused Project Management (FFPM) by Thomas M. Cappels,
J. Ross Publishing, FL, 2004 (Book review)
- Based
on his view that the goal of project management is profitability, Thomas describes
his brand of project management. 12/05
| |
- Project
Procurement Management by Quentin W. Fleming,
FMC Press, CA, 2003 (Book review)
- Quentin provides a sound
and much-needed easy-to-read comprehensive guide to project procurement management.
11/05
| |
- How Long
Should a Software Project Take?
- A concerned correspondent asks a serious
question and receives a variety of responses from a group of experts who put him
closer to a resolution. 10/05
| |
- Advanced
Project Portfolio Management and the PMO:
Multiplying ROI at Warp Speed
by Gerald I. Kendall, PMP & Steven C. Rollins,
PMP, J. Ross Publishing, Inc.,
Co-published with International Institute
of Learning, Inc., 2003 (Book review) - This is one of the first
comprehensive books on Project Portfolio Management. It focuses on the IS/IT industry
where PPM is most needed. 9/05
| |
- Project
Management Methodologies by Jason Charvat, John Wiley
& Sons, NJ, 2003 (Book review)
- "When all projects in the enterprise
follow a standardized template, then and only then will project management evolve
gradually into an everyday way of life." So says CEO Robert Simplot in the introduction
to Jason's book and Jason explains why and how. 8/05
| |
- Lessons
in Project Management by Tom and Jeff Mochal, Apress,
CA, 2003 (Book review)
- "Painless project management learning"
might have been a better title for this book review but we preferred to stay with
the correct title for this paper. Recommended reading for all those engaged in
the IS/IT business environment. 7/05
| |
- Project
Portfolio Governance Guidelines (But are they complete?)
- A review
and commentary of a recent publication Directing Change, by the Association
of Project Management, UK, 2004. This booklet provides practical guidance on elevating
the standard of project portfolio management in most organizations across all
sectors. 6/05
| |
- PMBOK®
Guide, Third Edition - Is More Really Better? Part 3 Project
Management Institute, PA, 2004 (Book review)
- Third of three
articles on the 2004 Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.
In this part we focus on Section III of the
Guide. 5/05
| |
- PMBOK®
Guide, Third Edition - Is More Really Better? Part 2 Project
Management Institute, PA, 2004 (Book review)
- Second of three
articles on the 2004 Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.
In this part we focus more closely on Sections I
and II of the Guide. 4/05
| |
- PMBOK®
Guide, Third Edition - Is More Really Better? Part 1 Project
Management Institute, PA, 2004 (Book review)
- First of three
articles taking an in-depth look at the Project Management Institute's latest
Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, covering What We Liked,
the Downside and some Missed Opportunities. This Part 1 provides an overview.
3/05
| |
- Lessons
in Risk Management
- Three short real-life case studies demonstrating
benefits of a little risk planning. 2/05
| |
- Room
for Improvement based on a PwC study (Report review)
- Authors
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and Daniel Evrard of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Belgium,
set out to discover any correlation between organizational maturity and project
performance. Their report Boosting Business Performance through Programme and
Project Management, June 2004, discloses valuable information on the current
state of project management. 1/05
| |
- Total
Project Control: A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring,
and Tracking by Stephen A. Devaux, John Wiley & Sons,
NY, 1999 (Book review)
- This book highlights shortcomings in
current project control tools because scope is typically taken as a "given" and
its outcome value is not quantified. Consequently, a sound basis for scope change
decision-making is absent. Stephen proposes a number of metrics to overcome this.
8/04
| |
- Two
Case Studies - #1: The Case of the Never Ending Scope Creep - #2: The Case of
the Unidentified Risks Contributed by Mauro Maurovic,
Australia. Edited for the web by R. Max Wideman
- These two case
studies (together with "The Custom Woodworking Company" lower on this
Page) should prove invaluable exercises for instructors conducting project management
course work. 7/04
| |
- Effective
Risk Management: Some Keys to Success, 2nd Edition by Edmund
H. Conrow, AIAA, Reston, VA, 2003 (Book review)
- This book discusses
how to implement sound project risk management on a wide variety of defense, commercial,
and other large programs and projects. 6/04
| |
- Project
Management Practices: A Compendium on a CD by the Project
Management Institute (Product review)
- A review of this practical
learning tool on a CD from the Project Management Institute shows that it is also
well constructed and an asset for the practicing project manager. 5/04
| |
- Brainstorming
The PMBOK® Guide by Muhamed Abdomerovic, Dipl.
Eng., PMP (Book review)
- Muhamed has undertaken the tremendous
task of analyzing the complete PMBOK Guide to trace all those inputs and outputs
and present them as logical sets and in chronological sequences of content. A
very valuable resource. 4/04
| |
- Risk
Management: Tricks of the Trade for Project Managers by Rita
Mulcahy, PMP, RMC Publications, Minnesota (Book review)
- It
is nice to come across a book packed full of practical advice you can use immediately
as a handy reference, especially for project risk management. Light hearted and
easy to read. 4/04
| |
- Knowledge
Mapping and the Price of Knowledge
- A
consistent grouping of project management subject matter would be helpful to practitioners
and educators alike for practice, training, education and research. But is the
cost of knowledge too expensive to structure? A comment on APQC's Project Management
Report and PMI®'s OPM3®. 3/04
| |
- Practical
Project Management: Tips, Tactics, and Tools by Harvey A.
Levine, Wiley, NY, NY, 2002 (Book review)
- This book covers
the whole spectrum of project management, ranging from new paradigms of portfolio
management to project communications and how to make them work. It integrates
new ideas with true and trusted old ones, and the text abounds with useful sidebar
tips. 2/04
| |
- The
Role of the Project Life Cycle (Life Span) in Project Management A
review of literature over three decades
- The life span is a
fundamental underpinning of project management, but the issue is one of strategy:
"How much control? Who should have it? And when?" 1/04
| |
- A Billion
Dollar Boondoggle (Case study)
- If you
are going to do something wrong, do it big time. This way, everyone will be so
embarrassed that you will probably get away with it. 12/03
| |
- A Quarter
Century of Project Management Evolution - A Review of Managing High-Technology
Programs & Projects Third Edition by Russell D. Archibald,
Wiley, NY, NY, 2003 (Book review)
- An opportunity to compare
Russ's latest book with his original edition to give us insight into how project
management has evolved over the last 25 years. 11/03
| |
- Modeling
Project Management A review of two decades of literature
- Over
the last couple of decades there have been numerous attempts to explain project
management using graphical models. This paper traces these efforts as a basis
for solving this biggest of unresolved issues. 12/03
| |
- Progressive
Acquisition and the RUP - Part V Contracting Activities
- In
this final installment of the series, we take a look at contracting activities
and how they fit into the Rational Unified Process® (RUP®) from the acquirer's
perspective. An Appendix provides a helpful glossary for preparing and administering
progressive software acquisition contracts. 10/03
| |
- Progressive
Acquisition and the RUP - Part IV Choosing a Form and Type
of Contract
- In Part IV we examine the best type of contract
for your project and consider ten interdependent variables that represent the
continuum between the best interests of the acquirer and the best interests of
the supplier. 9/03
| |
- Progressive
Acquisition and the RUP - Part III Contracting Basics
- In
Part III we examine the basic elements of an effective contract, the hurdles that
stand in the way, specific content suited to the contracting approach we propose,
and the reasons most companies use centralized procurement. 8/03
| |
- Progressive
Acquisition and the RUP - Part II Contracts that Work
- In
Part II we describe how to modify the traditional contracting process to fit a
progressive acquisition model that meets the needs of both acquirers and suppliers.
7/03
| |
- Progressive
Acquisition and the RUP - Part I Defining the Problem and
Common Terminology
- An initiative to formulated some basic tenets
and recommendations for a progressive approach to formal acquisition of software
development services using traditional contracting processes. 6/03
| |
- Software
Development and Linearity - Part 2 Why some project management
methodologies don't work
- Part 2 continues with a look at Rapid
Prototyping, why "linearity" doesn't work in software development, some associated
"people" problems - and some possible answers. 5/03
| |
- Software
Development and Linearity - Part 1 Popular methodologies
- The
needs of IS departments are to maintain, enhance or upgrade existing software
systems, or respond with entirely new software to satisfy new corporate business
initiatives. This paper examines the more popular project management methodologies.
4/03
| |
- PMP®
Project Management Professional Study Guide by Kim Heldman
PMP, Sybex, Alameda CA 2002 (Book review)
- In her Study Guide
for the Project Management Institute's PMP certification exam, the author takes
a life span view rather than a knowledge view. 3/03
| |
- Software
Project Risk Management, Success and Training
- An interview with Max
first published in Projects & Profits, November 2002. 1/03
| |
- The
Custom Woodworking Company — Woody 2000 Project (Case
Study)
- The incidents described are typical of the types of
things that happen in real-life projects and I have seen most of them. The problems
are not difficult to spot, but can you see why they happened? 12/02
| |
- Comparing
PRINCE2 with PMBoK® (Book review)
- From
time to time we are asked to compare project management systems and methodologies.
PRINCE2 and PMBoK take very different approaches to the presentation of their
material. 11/02
| |
- Building
Practice Guidelines: Typical Linear Responsibility Charts (continued)
- Fourth
of a series of four charts listing typical tasks for a building project. This
presentation continues with the project commissioning, finishing and post-project
support stages of phase 4 of the typical project. 10/02
| |
- Building Practice
Guidelines: Typical Linear Responsibility Charts (continued)
- Third
of a series of four charts listing typical tasks for a building project. This
presentation continues with the final design and tender award and construction
stages of phase 3 of the typical project. 9/02
| |
- Building
Practice Guidelines: Typical Linear Responsibility Charts (continued)
- Second
of a series of four charts listing typical tasks for a building project. This
presentation continues with the concept development and schematic stages of phase
2 of the typical project. 8/02
| |
- Building Practice
Guidelines: Typical Building Projects Linear Responsibility Charts (BP-LRC) (with
Tasks listed by Project Phase)
- First of a series of
four charts listing typical tasks for a building project. These lists are segregated
according to the project's phase or stage and each entry recommends who should
take the lead and who else should be providing significant support. This presentation
covers the pre-project and concept phases. 7/02
| |
- Project
Teamwork, Personality Profiles and the Population at Large: Do
we have enough of the right kind of people?
- Last of six
papers examines the distribution of project management personality types through
the general population and why some people are difficult to find. 5/02
| |
- Optimizing
Success by Matching Management Style to Project Type
- Fifth of six
papers shows how the findings of the previous papers can be brought together to
better understand the project management process and higher levels of project
success. 4/02
| |
- Dominant Personality
Traits Suited to Running Projects Successfully (And What Type are
You?)
- Fourth of six papers focuses
on four dominent personality styles in project leadership and how these relate
to project work and the project life span. 3/02
| |
- Toward
a Fundamental Differentiation between Project Types
- Third of six
papers proposes a 2x2 matrix for categorizing projects based on the assumption
that different types of work need to be managed differently. 2/02
| |
- Improving
PM: Linking Success Criteria to Project Type
- Second of six
focuses on the dimensions of project success, a general project classification
matrix and how the two may be correlated. 1/02
| |
- Project
Management: From Genesis to Content to Classification
- First of
six papers describing the search for a best practices linkage from project
classification through management style to project success. 12/01
| |
- Project
Management Appraisal: Testing the Effectiveness of Your Project's Management
- What
if the project status reports clearly indicate that the project is not going according
to plan? 11/01
| |
- Project
Management and Education for the 21st Century
- If Canada's competitive
edge in the global marketplace is to be maintained, then a proper understanding
of project management must become much more widely spread. 11/01
| |
- Object
Lessons
- Three real-life personal mini case studies. Each provides
an example from which important lessons may be learned. 10/01
| |
- Applying
Resource Loading, Production & Learning Curves to Construction: A Pragmatic
Approach
- In order to optimize productivity on new facility construction,
the input of resources including men, materials and equipment, is varied according
to the planned timing and availability of the work. 10/01
| |
- Construction
Claims - Identification, Communication & Record Keeping
- A claim
is a disguised form of blackmail ... the last chance to bail out a losing job
... an assertion to a contractual right ... . It is probably not difficult
to guess who expressed which point of view, but at least the common thread is
clear ... extra money. 9/01
| |
- The Future
of Project Management
- I wrote this article in 1992 as a commentary
on the past and future of project management. Now, nearly a decade later one can
marvel at the advances that have been made, but wonder how much we have really
learned about project management in the intervening period. 9/01
| |
-
Project Management - Simple Answers to Simple Questions
- Originally
I wrote this to develop a brochure to promote project management in one of my
client's departments. Today, project management is well established in the organization,
but the answers to the questions are just as necessary. 9/01
| |
- Total
Project Management of Complex Projects - Improving Performance with Modern Techniques
- A
discussion of what it takes to run a successful project, acknowledging the project's
external environment, and the need for project management education and professionalism.
The appendices contain a lot of useful reference information. 8/01
| |
- Managing
the Project Environment
- More and more, project managers must have
concern not only for the physical environment, long term and short, but also the
social environment. This paper suggests how. 7/01
| |
- The Spectrum
of Project Management Future Aspects: North American Trends
- Key-note
address to A Conference under the Northern Lights in Reykjavik, Iceland,
August 31st, 1987. 6/01
| |
- Project Management
of Capital Projects - An Overview
- This paper looks at the difficulties
of managing modern capital projects and endeavours to reduce the complexities
to simpler and more understandable terms. 6/01
| |
- Good Public Relations:
An Essential Part of Successful Project Management
- Three large projects
in which the importance of public relations and promotion was recognized by the
sponsors at the outset. 5/01
| |
- Scope-Pak Project
Planning - Instructions for Conducting a Project Planning Workshop
- A
simple Eight-Step planning technique that you can use to quickly get your project
up and running, organized and under control. 5/01
| |
- Project Management Institute:
In the Beginning …
- A brief history of how the Project Management
Institute got started back in 1968/9. 4/01
| |
- ESA (Ethics, Standards
and Accreditation) and All That
- A serious but somewhat irreverent
look at the knowledge framework in project management. 4/01
| |
- Executive Control
with Flexibility in Managing Capital Projects
- The need, management
philosophy, features, organization and planning a work breakdown for project managing
capital works. 3/01
| |
- Project Management
Simply Explained - A Logical Framework to Help Your Understanding
- Why
we need project management, what it is about, what it consists of, and in what
sequence. 3/01
| |
- Managing the Development
of Building Projects for Better Results
- The
objective of a building project is to create the best possible facility for a
given level of expenditure; the objective of management should be to establish
an effective project team, a unity of purpose and commitment to results. 2/01
| |
- Negotiating
for Project Benefit Originally adapted from You Can Negotiate
Anything, Audio Cassette, 1990 Audio Renaissance Tapes Inc., Los Angeles,
with permission of the original author Herb Cohen.
- You're working
on a project but you don't feel that you have enough authority to get things done.
You are not alone. In fact that is the way most projects really are. So, how do
you get things done? 1/01
| |
- Project Manager to
Project Leader? and the Rocky Road Between... Vijay K. Verma
and R. Max Wideman
- Leadership, management and team building,
while all closely allied, are sufficiently different in the project environment
that they require special study. 12/00
|
|
- Defining
Project Management Knowledge as a Basis for Global Communication, Learning and
Professionalism
- If we are to advance towards a 'Global Profession'
as some suggest, then we need a vehicle for effective communication and a common
understanding of the content and structure of the field. 11/00
|
|
- A Project
Management Knowledge Structure for the 21st Century
- This paper is
a 'discussion' paper rather than a 'solution' paper and describes the possibilities
for a structured arrangement of the elements of a body of knowledge for project
management. 11/00
| |
- First Principles
of Project Management
- This paper is an update of an earlier version
that generated some vigorous exchanges. It sets out a philosophical discussion
of the fundamentals of project management and tries to address some of the issues
raised. It is not expected to be either definitive or final. Rev. 11/03
| |
| | |
| | |
Books
|
Available at: |
- A
Management Framework for Project, Program and Portfolio Integration
ISBN-10: 1412027861
ISBN-13: 978-1412027861 - Welcome to the exciting world of project management! Whatever
size or type of project you work on, this handbook provides fascinating insights
into the expectations, processes and satisfaction of managing projects successfully.
You will also find recommendations for establishing effective project portfolio
and program management, as well as some advanced theory of project management.
|
Kindle
Edition |
- Cost
Control of Capital Projects: and the Project Cost Management System Requirements
ISBN 0-921095-35-X
ASIN: B0007B0WB4 - This
second edition is a comprehensive how-to guide to controlling a project from concept
to completion, including contracting strategies, WBS, project accounting, productivity
and more. (Out of Print--Limited Availability)
|
|
- A Framework for Project
and Program Management Integration
ISBN-10:
188041001X
ISBN-13: 978-1880410011 - This book, originally
published by the Project Management Institute, is no longer available through
them.
|
|
- Project and Program Risk Management
ISBN-10: 1880410060
ISBN-13: 978-1880410066 - Understand
your project better by adopting risk management. This handbook provides a simplified
approach leading to significant risk reduction, better project performance and
ultimate success.
| -
|
All available in pdf format.
