Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management Book

Introduction 1

I Project Management Jumpstart 5

1 Project Management Overview 7

2 The Project Manager 21

3 Essential Elements for Any Successful Project 29

II Project Planning 41

4 Defining a Project 43

5 Planning a Project 55

6 Developing the Work Breakdown Structure 71

7 Estimating the Work 85

8 Developing the Project Schedule 97

9 Determining the Project Budget 113

III Project Control 123

10 Controlling a Project 125

11 Managing Project Changes 145

12 Managing Project Deliverables 159

13 Managing Project Issues 171

14 Managing Project Risks 181

15 Managing Project Quality 197

IV Project Execution 209

16 Leading a Project 211

17 Managing Project Communications 223

18 Managing Expectations 239

19 Keys to Better Project Team Performance 255

20 Managing Differences 267

21 Managing Vendors 279

22 Ending a Project 293

V Accelerating the Learning Curve ... Even More 301

23 Making Better Use of Microsoft Project 303

24 When Reality Happens 327

25 Intriguing Project Management Concepts and Topics 345

Index 363