ANATOMY of PROJECT MANAGEMENT Vital insights for project success

Competence in project management is acquired through a combination of knowledge and experience, and competency enables the effective application of theory for each individual project. The purpose of this book is to illustrate how the theory of project management can be applied in a practical way in order to achieve project success. It is intended for anyone considering a career in project management and for those who already have some experience and want to gain further insights. It also provides comprehensive background information for senior managers and stakeholders engaged in managing change through projects.Each chapter in this book addresses a specific project principle – beginning with an appreciation of change management. The subsequent chapters address the triple constraint, definition of the project goal, project organisation, estimating and planning, risk management, quality management and controlling the project. There is also a chapter on the end game – the important aspects relating to the final stage of a project. These principles apply to all projects, large or small, and enable the project manager to map a logical course from start to finish of a project – avoiding the potential pitfalls along the way.In addition to describing the fundamental principles, the practical difficulties faced by all project managers are emphasised. The theory and the practice of project management are rarely in harmony, and application of the theory requires considerable flexibility and inter-personal skills. This aspect of project management is highlighted in the descriptions of some real life scenarios encountered by the author during his career.This is not a technically complex book – all the examples used to illustrate project management disciplines are quite straightforward and easily understood. If the reader already has some project management experience, the various chapters will help to consolidate their understanding and hopefully provide further insights. Those new to projects will benefit from a comprehensive overview of project management and what it means to be a project manager.