Creative, Efficient, and Effective Project Management


Book Description

This book provides an in-depth discussion of creativity and its relationship to project management. Examining the five processes executed in a project, it discusses common and not some common tools and techniques for developing project management deliverables. It also provides suggestions for overcoming common challenges that project managers face. Each chapter includes a checklist and a case study on the application of the concepts presented. The book also indicates how the topics of discussion relate to the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).




Creative Project Management


Book Description

The seven essential tools for keeping projects on time and under budget You're executing risk management, leadership, and planning--all hallmarks of outstanding project management. And yet you're still having trouble keeping your projects on schedule. Creative Project Management adds two new elements to the mix: creativity and innovation. Internationally renowned project management consultants Michael Dobson and Ted Leemann combine traditional project management skills, such as risk evaluation, decision-making, and human dynamics, with outside-the-box thinking and business creativity. They provide seven new tools and approaches you can apply to any project. The methods discussed inside Creative Project Management show you how to: Realistically imagine the outcome of your decisions Work with--and around--the realities and constraints that affect your decisions Read and predict trends Manage the long- and short-term ramifications of your decisions Evaluate the impact of present and future technologies on your decisions Imagine new choices you didn't think you had Creative Project Management provides an invaluable new set of tools for any project management professional tasked with making difficult decisions in these uncertain times.




Effective Project Management


Book Description

A practical and accessible guide to managing a successful project Effective Project Management is based around an activities and action check list approach to project management. It provides a guide to the basic principles and the disciplines that managers need to master in order to be successful. The author’s check lists approach (based on his years of practical experience on projects) ensure that project managers are following valid processes, helping them to be innovative in their approach to developing plans and resolving problems. In addition, the author’s check list pick and mix format is designed to be flexible in order to meet the individual needs of the reader. Effective Project Management also contains some information on the theories underpinning project management. Knowledge of the theory helps in the understanding of how project management works in practice. In addition to the book’s check lists of what activities need to be performed, the author offers suggestions on how tasks could be carried out. This important resource: Covers a wide range of project management topics including the project management process, programme and portfolio management, initiating and contracting a project, personal skills and more Offers a highly accessible guide to the author’s verified check list approach Presents flexible guidelines applicable for a wide range projects Includes guidance for project managers at all levels of experience Written for project managers working on engineering or construction projects, Effective Project Management reviews all aspects of a project from initiation and execution to project completion together with the specialist topics and personal skills needed to manage projects effectively.




Project Management for Humans


Book Description

Project management—it’s not just about following a template or using a tool, but rather developing personal skills and intuition to find a method that works for everyone. Whether you’re a designer or a manager, Project Management for Humans will help you estimate and plan tasks, scout and address issues before they become problems, and communicate with and hold people accountable.




Creativity


Book Description

____________________________ We can all be more creative. John Cleese shows us how. Creativity is usually regarded as a mysterious, rare gift that only a few possess. John Cleese begs to differ, and in this short, immensely practical and often very amusing guide he shows it's a skill that anyone can acquire. Drawing on his lifelong experience as a writer, he shares his insights into the nature of the creative process, and offers advice on how to get your own inventive juices flowing. ____________________________ 'Humorous and practical ... Whether you're hoping to write a novel or paint a masterpiece, you're sure to feel inspired' OK Magazine 'His candor is endearing ... An upbeat guide to the creative process' Kirkus 'A jovial romp ... Cleese fans will enjoy, and writers and other artists will breeze through, picking up a few nuggets of wisdom along the way' The Festival Review 'A sincere and thoughtful guide to creativity, and a very useful book' Graham Norton 'Wise words on the serious business of being silly' Sunday Business Post




A Playful Production Process


Book Description

How to achieve a happier and healthier game design process by connecting the creative aspects of game design with techniques for effective project management. This book teaches game designers, aspiring game developers, and game design students how to take a digital game project from start to finish—from conceptualizing and designing to building, playtesting, and iterating—while avoiding the uncontrolled overwork known among developers as “crunch.” Written by a legendary game designer, A Playful Production Process outlines a process that connects the creative aspects of game design with proven techniques for effective project management. The book outlines four project phases—ideation, preproduction, full production, and post-production—that give designers and developers the milestones they need to advance from the first glimmerings of an idea to a finished game.




Mind Maps for Effective Project Management


Book Description

"Much progress results when different streams of human understanding are brought together. This book is about such an epiphany - that the traditionally left-brain working of industry can be greatly enriched by the creative potential of mind-maps. Our process-oriented industries need more creativity... so it is definitely worth investing some time to evaluate this book and its thesis for yourself!" -Manas Fuloria, Co-founder and CEO, Nagarro "Project management is typically associated with linear thinking with a beginning, a middle and an end. Mind Maps are associated with Creativity and non-linear thinking. When an expert in both areas - PMP, Scrum Master and a Thinkbuzan tutor- brings this expertise together in one book, it tickles the left and right side of the brain simultaneously. Maneesh has written a compelling thesis and is a must read for CXOs and project managers alike, to get the most out of projects!" -Sameer Garde, President, South Asia, Philips India "While solving complex problems we may have a difficulty in looking at all perspectives of the eventual solution. Mind Maps help in documenting our thoughts in a more structured way by aligning the creative thinking process with the analytical decision process. This expertise was so far not available in India and the initiative by Maneesh is a welcome and valuable contribution. This is especially useful for mid-level and senior people but can be used by all age groups." -Tushar Bhatia, Founder & CEO, EmpXtrack "Just as the LEAN movement transformed the Manufacturing industry, Mind Maps can do the same to the field of Project Management. A Mind Map helps cuts across the noise in multiple situations, brings into focus the core issue and ignites creativity through whole brain thinking. Through this book Maneesh has provided a framework and examples to apply Mind Mapping to the practice of Project Management - a bold move that will encourage creative thinking and problem solving. A must read for organizational heads and all project managers." - Nitin Kulkarni, Founder & Principal Consultant, Elevo Consulting "The book is a Project management and Mind Maps toolkit coming from a practicing professional and trainer Maneesh Dutt. It is a guide map for decision makers to enable project professionals become more creative and innovative in managing projects. Projects, today, are more like a hundred meter sprint than a marathon and deserve nimble techniques like Mind Maps to execute better. The book picks up the threads from project management fundamentals along with inspiration from nature and provides a rich array of Mind Map templates allowing organizations to kick start their journey towards better project management. A real boon to organizations that are involved in any Project activity!" -Gaurang Joshipura, Managing Director, Zeppelin Systems India Pvt. Ltd.




Project Management for Small Business


Book Description

Project management can help companies become more efficient and profitable. But classic project management models often prove too cumbersome for smaller businesses with limited staff resources, tight budgets, and next to no time to devote to learning complex methodologies. These smaller enterprises need the core principles and techniques of project management in a streamlined package. Project Management for Small Business offers simple, repeatable practices for planning, executing, and controlling projects in smaller environments in which one team member may wear multiple hats. Readers will learn how to: ò Define project requirements and scope ò Create a project schedule based on resource availability ò Estimate, budget, and control project costs ò Identify and minimize project risks ò Manage workflow ò Communicate effectively ò Control project change ò And more. Grounded in real-world experience, this practical guide skips the complicated theory and goes straight to the heart of what it really takes to make a project a success.




The New One-Page Project Manager


Book Description

How to manage any project on just one piece of paper The New One-Page Project Manager demonstrates how to efficiently and effectively communicate essential elements of a project's status. The hands of a pocket watch reveal the time of day without following every spring, cog, and movement behind the face. Similarly, an OPPM template reduces any project—no matter how large or complicated—to a simple one-page document, perfect for communicating to upper management and other project stakeholders. Now in its Second Edition, this practical guide, currently saving time and effort in thousands of organizations worldwide, has itself been simplified, then refined and extended to include the innovative AgileOPPMTM. This Second Edition will include new material and updates including an introduction of the ground-breaking AgileOPPMTM and an overview of MyOPPMTM template builder, available on-line Includes references throughout the book to the affiliated sections in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Shows templates for the Project Management Office (PMO) This new and updated Second Edition will help you master the one-page approach to both traditional project management and Agile project management. (PMBOK is a registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)




Fundamentals of Project Management


Book Description

Updated concepts and tools to set up project plans, schedule work, monitor progress-and consistently achieve desired project results.In today's time-based and cost-conscious global business environment, tight project deadlines and stringent expectations are the norm. This classic book provides businesspeople with an excellent introduction to project management, supplying sound, basic information (along with updated tools and techniques) to understand and master the complexities and nuances of project management. Clear and down-to-earth, this step-by-step guide explains how to effectively spearhead every stage of a project-from developing the goals and objectives to managing the project team-and make project management work in any company. This updated second edition includes: * New material on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) * Do's and don'ts of implementing scheduling software* Coverage of the PMP certification offered by the Project Management Institute* Updated information on developing problem statements and mission statements* Techniques for implementing today's project management technologies in any organization-in any industry.