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Managing Complex Projects

Author : Kathleen B. Hass

Publisher : Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Page : 252 pages

File Size : 27,71 MB

Release : 2008-10

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 152309673X

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Book Description

For organizations to thrive, indeed to survive, in today's global economy, we must find ways to dramatically improve the performance of large-scale projects. Applying the concepts of complexity theory can complement conventional project management approaches and enable us to adapt to the unrelenting change that we ignore at our own peril. Managing Complex Projects: A New Model offers an innovative way of looking at projects and treating them as complex adaptive systems. Applying the principles of complexity thinking will enable project managers and leadership teams to manage large-scale initiatives successfully. • Explore how complexity thinking can be used to find new, creative ways to think about and manage projects • Diagnose complexity on a wide range of projects — from small, independent, short projects to highly complex, longer projects • Understand and manage the complexity of the business problem, opportunity, solution, and other dimensions that come into play when managing large-scale efforts Use the Project Complexity Model to determine the most effective approach to managing all aspects of a project based on the level of complexity involved.



Managing Complex, High Risk Projects

Author : Franck Marle

Publisher : Springer

Page : 283 pages

File Size : 37,91 MB

Release : 2015-12-18

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN : 1447167872

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Book Description

Maximizing reader insights into project management and handling complexity-driven risks, this book explores propagation effects, non-linear consequences, loops, and the emergence of positive properties that may occur over the course of a project. This book presents an introduction to project management and analysis of traditional project management approaches and their limits regarding complexity. It also includes overviews of recent research works about project complexity modelling and management as well as project complexity-driven issues. Moreover, the authors propose their own new approaches, new methodologies and new tools which may be used by project managers and/or researchers and/or students in the management of their projects. These new elements include project complexity definitions and frameworks, multi-criteria approaches for project complexity measurement, advanced methodologies for project management (propagation studies to anticipate potential behaviour of the project, and clustering approaches to improve coordination between project actors) and industrial case studies (automotive industry, civil engineering, railroad industry, performing arts,...) and exercises (with their solutions) which will allow readers to improve and strengthen their knowledge and skills in the management of complex and (thus) risky projects.



Leading Complex Projects

Author : Edward W. Merrow

Publisher : John Wiley & Sons

Page : 261 pages

File Size : 30,6 MB

Release : 2018-05-01

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 111938219X

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Book Description

Quantitative analysis of outcomes vs PMs at the individual level Leading Complex Projects takes a unique approach to post-mortem analysis to provide project managers with invaluable insight. For the first time, individual PM characteristics are quantitatively linked to project outcomes through a major study investigating the role of project leadership in the success and failure of complex industrial projects; hard data on the backgrounds, education, and personality characteristics of over 100 directors of complex projects is analyzed against the backdrop of project performance to provide insight into controllable determinants of outcomes. By placing these analyses alongside their own data, PMs will gain greater insight into areas of weakness and strength, locate recurring obstacles, and identify project components in need of greater planning, oversight, or control. The role of leadership is to deliver results; in project management, this means taking responsibility for project outcomes. PMs are driven by continuous improvement, and this book provides a wealth of insight to help you achieve the next step forward. Understand why small, simple projects consistently outperform larger, more complex projects Delve into the project manager's role in generating successful outcomes Examine the data from over 100 PMs of complex industrial projects Link PM characteristics to project outcome to find areas for improvement Complex industrial projects from around the world provide a solid basis for quantitative analysis of outcomes—and the PMs who drive them. Although the majority of the data is taken from projects in the petroleum industry, the insights gleaned from analysis are widely applicable across industry lines for PMs who lead complex projects of any stripe. Leading Complex Projects provides clear, data-backed improvement guidance for anyone in a project management role.



Managing Complex Outsourced Projects

Author : Gregory A. Garrett

Publisher : Wolters Kluwer

Page : 344 pages

File Size : 26,94 MB

Release : 2005-03-01

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 0808010735

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Book Description

The ever-changing world of outsourcing demands that project managers be adept at team building, meeting management, group-based problem solving and conflict management. Managing Complex Outsourced Projects provides a comprehensive review of what it takes to successfully manage outsourced projects resulting in improved performance and reduced expenses. Author Gregory A. Garrett discusses the concept of Integrated Project Management (IPM), which is the discipline of ensuring that appropriate practices, tools and techniques are implemented by all parties involved in the outsourcing process. In Managing Complex Outsourced Projects, you'll find more than 400 tips and best practices, over 40 forms and more than 20 case studies that depict how the most successful companies effectively manage outsourced complex projects.



Guide to Good Practice in the Management of Time in Complex Projects

Author : CIOB (The Chartered Institute of Building)

Publisher : John Wiley & Sons

Page : 164 pages

File Size : 14,4 MB

Release : 2010-11-09

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN : 1444329618

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Book Description

Delayed completion affects IT, process plant, oil and gas, civil engineering, shipbuilding and marine work contracts. In fact it affects all industries in all countries and the bigger the project, the more damage delayed completion causes to costs, to reputation and sometimes, even to the survival of the contracting parties themselves. In simple projects, time can be managed intuitively by any reasonably competent person, but complex projects cannot and a more analytical approach is necessary if the project is to succeed. Although much has been written about how to apportion liability for delay after a project has gone wrong there was, until recently, no guidance on how to manage time pro-actively and effectively on complex projects. In 2008, the CIOB embarked upon a 5-year strategy to provide standards, education, training and accreditation in time management. The first stage, this Guide to Good Practice in Managing Time in Complex Projects, sets down the process and standards to be achieved in preparing and managing the time model. As a handbook for practitioners it uses logical step by step procedures and examples from inception and risk appraisal, through design and construction to testing and commissioning, to show how an effective and dynamic time model can be used to manage the risk of delay to completion of construction projects.



Managing Difficult Projects

Author : André A. Costin

Publisher : Routledge

Page : 352 pages

File Size : 31,23 MB

Release : 2008

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 0750685913

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Book Description

Focuses on the diagnosis and resolution of difficult problems whether in large or small and complex projects. The intent is to help corporate executives and project management practitioners apply proven processes, methodologies, systems, structures and tools to rally the information and the resources required for better decisions, faster delivery, and improved results.



Managing Complex Technical Projects

Author : R. Ian Faulconbridge

Publisher : Artech House

Page : 273 pages

File Size : 37,12 MB

Release : 2003

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 1580533787

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Book Description

This unique resource delivers complete, easy-to-understand coverage of the management of complex technical projects through systems engineering. Written for a wide spectrum of readers, from novices to experienced practitioners, the book holds the solution to delivering projects on time and within budget, avoiding the failures and inefficiencies of past efforts.



Tools for Complex Projects

Author : Kaye Remington

Publisher : CRC Press

Page : 231 pages

File Size : 32,61 MB

Release : 2016-02-24

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 1317009827

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Book Description

Traditional project management approaches assume that project contexts are unchanging and key factors, though complicated, are reducible to unambiguous elements for management and control. Whilst this assumption has simplified the task for writers and educators, it is increasingly being recognised that these techniques do not work in projects which may be described as complex (due to their size, technical difficulties, conflicting environmental and political constraints or poorly understood or shared goals). Tools for Complex Projects draws on research in the areas of project management, complexity theory and systems thinking to provide a ready reference for understanding and managing the increasing complexity of projects and programmes. The main part of the book provides a series of fourteen project tools. Some of these tools may be used at the level of the whole project life-cycle. Others may be applied ad hoc at any time. In each case, the authors provide: detailed guidelines for using the tool, information on its purpose and the types of complexity for which it is most appropriate, the theoretical background to the tool, a practical example of its use, and any necessary words of caution. This is an example of advanced project management at work; sophisticated tools that require a level of project and management expertise and offer rigorous and highly practical methods for understanding, structuring and managing the most complex of projects.



A Practical Guide to Dealing with Difficult Stakeholders

Author : Mr David Bryde

Publisher : Gower Publishing, Ltd.

Page : 123 pages

File Size : 43,37 MB

Release : 2015-08-28

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 1472401662

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Book Description

All project stakeholders have different needs, objectives, responsibilities and priorities. For many project managers it is disturbing to realise that, for any number of personal or professional reasons, some of their stakeholders may not be as co-operative and helpful as they expect. It could be a negative and powerful sponsor (the 'Anti-sponsor'), a demotivated team, low-maturity or unrealistic external clients, maliciously compliant gatekeepers and finance teams, or uninterested internal customers. The reality of project management is that stakeholders can be difficult! Jake Holloway, Professor David Bryde and Roger Joby bring their years of project management experience and combine it with research and insight from social psychology to delve into how and why project stakeholders can be difficult. The book describes some of the common stakeholder types - such as Sponsors, the Team, Gatekeepers, Clients and Contractors - and associated unhelpful or difficult behaviour profiles that you will often come across on projects. It then provides practical ideas, techniques and methods that will help the project manager to effectively manage the impact of these stakeholders on the project. As projects get larger and more complicated, the role and influence of stakeholders grows too. A Practical Guide to Dealing with Difficult Stakeholders will provide your project teams with the basis for a more sophisticated and resilient approach to stakeholder management.



Project Management for Humans

Author : Brett Harned

Publisher : Rosenfeld Media

Page : 225 pages

File Size : 13,17 MB

Release : 2017-07-01

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 1933820357

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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.