Project Manager's Spotlight on Planning

Description:

Clear-Cut Ways to Manage Project Planning

If you're a typical project manager, you're probably aware of the importance of planning but may not have the time or expertise to develop a full-blown strategy. Here's a quick and practical guide to applying the disciplines of proven planning practices without the rigor of complex processes.

Part of the Project Manager's Spotlight series from Harbor Light Press, this straightforward book offers solutions to real-life planning scenarios. Author Catherine Tomczyk highlights critical components of project planning and equips you with tools, techniques, checklists, and templates you can put to use immediately. By following a realistic case study from start to finish, you'll see how a project manager deals with each task. Ultimately, this book will help you accurately estimate time and resource requirements, enabling you to implement successful projects.

Project Manager's Spotlight on Planning teaches you how to

• Define project objectives, goals, scope, and requirements
• Draft plans to manage risk, quality, and procurement
• Build your dream team
• Finalize estimates and budgets
• Create the project schedule
• And much more!

 

Table of Contents:

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1: Initiating the Project Plan
Small vs. Large Projects
Initiating a Project
Drafting the Project Plan

Chapter 2: Defining Project Objectives, Goals, Scope, and Requirements
Setting Project Objectives and Goals
Defining Project Goals
Delineating Scope
Requirements
Case Study

Chapter 3: Defining Your Risk Management Plan
Planning for Risk Management
Creating a Risk Response Plan
Case Study

Chapter 4: Drafting Your Dream Team
Identifying Your Organization
Team Composition
Defining Skills
Negotiating for Your Team
Team Development Stages
Project Hiring
Defining Team Roles and Responsibilities
Project Communication
Case Study

Chapter 5: Finalizing Estimates and Budgets
Building a Bottom-Up Estimate
Performing an Estimate Analysis
Creating the Project Budget
Case Study

Chapter 6: Creating the Project Schedule
Introducing Activity Sequencing
Estimating Activity Durations
Defining Activity Precedence
Developing the Schedule
Seeing How We Really Do It
Case Study

Chapter 7: Defining Your Quality Management Plan
Implementing Quality Processes
Using Quality Resources
Creating a Quality Management Plan
Case Study

Chapter 8: Defining the Procurement Management Plan
Purchasing Goods and Services
Knowing When Should You Use an Attorney
Case Study

Chapter 9: Formalizing the Plan
Creating the Project Kickoff Meeting Agenda
Facilitating the Kickoff Meeting
Case Study

Appendix A: Nine Knowledge Areas Refresher
Project Management Process Groups
Project Management Knowledge Areas

Appendix B: Project Planning Templates

Glossary

Index