Improving Your Project Management Skills Book

Chapter 1: Foundations for Success: The Core Concepts
Project Management Vocabulary
Why Project Management?
Classic Functions of Management
Processes in the Life of a Project
Knowledge Areas
Other Definitions

Chapter 2: Leading and Directing Project Teams
Leadership Aspects of Project Management
Leadership Skills
Leadership Theories
Leadership Functions
Conducting Meetings
Conducting Information Interviews

Chapter 3: Defining Project Scope and Requirements
Establish Goals and Objectives
Establish Time, Cost, and Performance Objectives
Goal Breakdown Structure
Project-Scope Document
Time, Cost, and Performance Trade-Offs
Tools to Use in Preparing a Scope Document
Alignment with Business Goals and Strategies
Example Scope Document

Chapter 4: Developing the Project Work Plan: The Work Breakdown Structure
The Work Breakdown Structure is an Outline
The Work Breakdown Structure is a Validation Tool
Work Breakdown Structures are Flexible
Techniques to Create Work Breakdown Structures

Chapter 5: Defining Activity Dependencies and Creating Network Diagrams
Network Diagrams Show Activity Sequence
Types of Network Diagrams
Activity Dependencies
Overlap or Separation of Activities
Sample Network Diagram
Critical Path

Chapter 6: Estimating Work
Work Breakdown Structure
Estimate Parameters
Estimating Methods
Guidelines for Estimating
Estimates Should Consider Risks
Effort-Driven vs. Duration-Driven Estimates
Estimates are Predictions
Quality of the Estimate

Chapter 7: Producing a Project Plan
Components of a Project Plan
Schedule Plan
Resource and Budget Plans
Resource Imbalance
Project Cost Plan
Control Processes
Organization Plan
Risk Management
Documentation and Commitments

Chapter 8: Monitoring and Controlling Projects
Project Kickoff Meeting
Project Control
Project Meetings
Project Control Process
Monitoring Project Work
Schedule Importance
Labor Hours
Data Analysis
Change Control
Sources of Change

Chapter 9: Closing a Project
Benefits of Project Closure
Project Closure Ensures Project Requirements Are Met
Projects May End in a Variety of Ways
Closure Begins with Customer Acceptance
Lessons Learned
Finance and Administration Records
Performance Reporting
Staff Release

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