Titanic Lessons for IT Projects


Book Description

Author Mark Kozak-Holland shows how the lessons learned from the Titanic disaster can be applied to IT projects today. Entertaining and full of intriguing historical details, the book helps project managers and IT executives see the impact of decisions similar to the ones that they make every day. (Computer Books)




Project Management Blunders


Book Description

White Star's initiative to build its new Olympic-class ships can be described as a text book project. It started off very well in the initiation and planning phases: the project team had a very good understanding of the business and customer needs, a solid vision, a superlative business case, the right supplier partnerships, good stakeholder relationships, and a healthy balance of proven and emerging technologies. By the end of the design phase, however, decisions were made that compromised safety features. The architects assumed that the aggregated effect of the reduced safety features and advanced technologies would still protect the ships. By the end of the fitting-out phase, all key stakeholders believed that the ships could never founder. The belief in Titanic's invincibility grew through the sea trials and into the maiden voyage. Everyone-from the captain and crew to the 53 millionaires on board-believed this. Why else would the wealthy and powerful have filled the hold and safes with cars and riches, and come aboard on a potentially treacherous route? Fundamentally, they believed that man had conquered nature and there was little risk. This book reveals the project management blunders that doomed Titanic while it was still being built-mistakes that you can avoid repeating in your own projects. Filled with photos and copies of actual documents from the project, this book walks you through a case study in project management failure.




Titanic Lessons in Project Leadership


Book Description

In Titanic Lessons in Project Leadership we see how "small" and easily overlooked behavioral and communication issues can aggregate through a project to become seemingly unthinkable errors. It is critical that project managers and leaders have the skills to deal effectively with people issues. You need to be just as comfortable managing conflict and motivating your team as you are with planning your work and conducting a risk analysis. When faced with challenging deadlines and the pressures that go with managing projects, it is easy just to focus on getting the task done. This is most likely at the expense of having those difficult conversations with upset stakeholders and disgruntled customers; the people who ultimately determine whether the project is a success or failure. This book focuses on the people aspects of the Titanic story; the key stakeholders, power dynamics, underlying perceptions, communication, leadership and team interactions. Ranjit Sidhu draws on this tragic tale to focus on the "behind the scenes" aspects of human communication and leadership to guide you in the right direction for making that vital difference to your current projects. Combining contemporary management theory with her own insights and extensive project management experience, Ranjit offers practical guidance and lessons from history that will help you gain a deeper understanding of how leaders and teams can operate at their very best.




I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (I Survived #1)


Book Description

The most terrifying events in history are brought vividly to life in this New York Times bestselling series! Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever. Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times bestselling series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!




Project-based Homeschooling


Book Description

Project-based homeschooling combines children's interests with long-term, deep, complex learning.This is an essential experience for children: to spend time working on something that matters to them, with the support of a dedicated mentor. This book is an introduction and guide to creating the circumstances under which children can teach themselves.The author gives parents concrete tips for helping children do challenging, meaningful, self-chosen work. From setting up a workspace that encourages independence to building a family culture that supports self-directed learning to concrete suggestions for a step-by-step approach to inquiry-based investigation, Project-Based Homeschooling shares techniques for mentoring independent, confident thinkers and learners.




Tonight on the Titanic


Book Description

The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Titanic trouble! Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks of the Titanic. Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? Will they be able to save anyone? Will they be able to save themselves? Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid? Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures




The History of Project Management


Book Description

Kozak-Holland takes a hard look at the history of project management and how it evolved over the past 4,500 years. Examining archaeological evidence, artwork, and surviving manuscripts, he provides evidence of how each of the nine knowledge areas of project management have been practiced throughout the ages.




The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die


Book Description

“What brought you the greatest joy? What do you wish you had learned sooner? What ultimately mattered and what didn't?” asks Dr. John Izzo. Based on a highly acclaimed public television series, this book takes the reader on a heartwarming and profound journey to find lasting happiness. Imagine for a moment that you are about to take a foreign vacation to an exotic destination. You have saved your entire life to travel there. It is a destination with almost unlimited choices of how to spend your time and you know you will not have enough time to explore every opportunity. You are fairly certain that you will never get to take a second trip to this destination; this will be your one opportunity. Now imagine that someone informs you that there are several people in your neighborhood who have been to that country, explored every corner. Some of them enjoyed the journey and have few regrets, but others wish they could take the trip again knowing what they know now. Would you not invite them over for dinner, ask them to bring their photographs, listen to their stories, and hear their advice? This is precisely the journey explored in this book. Dr. John Izzo and his colleagues interviewed over 200 people, ages 60-106, who were identified by friends and acquaintances as “the one person they knew who had found happiness and meaning.” From town barbers to Holocaust survivors, from aboriginal chiefs to CEOs, these people had over 18,000 years of life experience between them. He asked them questions like, “What brought you the greatest joy? What do you wish you had learned sooner? What ultimately mattered and what didn't?” Here Izzo shares their stories—funny, moving, and thought-provoking—and the Five Secrets he learned from listening to them. This book will make you laugh, bring you to tears, and inspire you to discover what matters long before you die.




Spirit of the Titanic


Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Samuel Scott died while building the Titanic. As the ship sails to her doom, his ghost moves restlessly alongside the passengers and crew: Frederick Fleet: the young look-out who spotted the iceberg and who survived in a life-boat with (the unsinkable) Molly Brown; Howard Hartley Wallace: the heroic band-leader who played ragtime music as the freezing waters lapped at his feet; Harold Bride: the junior radio operator whose messages echoed on, long after the ship had disappeared to its icy grave ...




Titanic Lessons for IT Projects [electronic Resource]


Book Description

Annotation Author Mark Kozak-Holland shows how the lessons learned from the Titanic disaster can be applied to IT projects today. Entertaining and full of intriguing historical details, the book helps project managers and IT executives see the impact of decisions similar to the ones that they make every day. (Computer Books).