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.

 

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Preface
  4. Acknowledgements
  5. Introduction
  6. Part I: Projects and Their Management
    1. Section A: Project Characteristics and Phases1
      1. 1 Characteristics
      2. 2 Phases
      3. 2.2 Phase Details
      4. 3 Project Patterns
      5. 4 Reasons for Projects
      6. 5 Project Needs
    2. Section B: Project Management Characteristics
      1. 1 Models
      2. 2 Characteristics
      3. 3 Key Management Decisions and Phases
      4. 4 Project Management Patterns
    3. Section C: Execution Planning Influences
      1. 1 Project Characteristics, Size, and Complexity
      2. 2 Strategic Decisions
      3. 3 The Historic Nature of an Industry
      4. 4 The Characteristics of the Industry/Business Sector
      5. 5 Phases and Schedule
      6. 6 Execution Planning
      7. 7 Generic Influences on Project Execution
    4. Section D: The Project Management Role
      1. 1 Strategic and Contractual
      2. 2 Organizational and Functions
      3. 3 Responsibilities and Orientation
      4. 4 Competencies and Leadership
      5. 5 Abilities and Skills
      6. 6 The Project Manager
    5. Section E: The Manager of Projects
      1. 1 Financial Situation
      2. 2 Scope of Work and Change Orders
      3. 3 Project Progress and Status
      4. 4 Health, Safety, and Environment
      5. 5 Quality Audits and Status
      6. 6 Risk Management
      7. 7 Client Relations
      8. 8 Formal Reviews
      9. 9 The Project Management Group
      10. 10 Evaluating a Project Manager
      11. 11 The Manager of Projects and the Client(s)
    6. Section F: The Owner and Client
      1. 1 Some Fundamentals
      2. 2 Cost and Planning
      3. 3 Things to Watch
      4. 4 Most Important of All – Safety
    7. Section G: Achieving Success
      1. 1 The Project Management
      2. 2 Alignment of Objectives and Client‐Contractor Relations
      3. 3 Involvement of Users
      4. 4 Get and Build the Right Team with Clear Roles and Responsibilities
      5. 5 Clear and Complete Scope Definition
      6. 6 Thorough Planning of the Work
      7. 7 Planning Communications
      8. 8 The Efficiency of the Project Launch Phase
      9. 9 Change Control
      10. 10 Effective Decision Making
      11. 11 Tackle Things Today – Tomorrow They Will Be Bigger
      12. 12 Conclusions for Success
  7. Part II: Programme Management
    1. Section A: Programme Management – What's in A Name?
      1. 1 Programme Management Conclusions
      2. 2 Summarizing Programme Management
      3. 3 Key Roles for a Programme Manager
    2. Section B: Business Change Programmes
      1. 1 Blueprint
      2. 2 Programme Organization
      3. 3 Change Stakeholders
      4. 4 Benefits Realization
      5. 5 Gate Reviews
      6. 6 Project Controls
      7. 7 Terminating the Programme
    3. Section C: Management of Portfolios
      1. 1
      2. 2
  8. Part III: Feasibility and Contracting
    1. Section A: Feasibility Studies
      1. 1 Feasibility Study Plan
      2. 2 Defining the Project
      3. 3 The Feasibility Report
      4. 4 Proposed Execution Plan
      5. 5 The Next Step
    2. Section B: Contracting Strategy Considerations
      1. 1 Business Strategy and Stakeholder Alignment
      2. 2 Regional and Local Factors
      3. 3 Market Intelligence
      4. 4 Prequalification Processes
      5. 5 General Contracting Issues
    3. Section C: Issuing an Enquiry
      1. 1 Enquiry Preparation Phase
      2. 2 Tendering Phase
      3. 3 Evaluation Phase
    4. Section D: To Tender or Not to Tender
      1. 1 The Tendering Decision
      2. 2 The Tender Decision Analysis
      3. 3 The Final Tendering Decision
    5. Section E: Tendering and Proposal Phase
      1. 1 Tendering Preliminaries
      2. 2 Developing the Tender or Proposal – In‐house Work
      3. 3 Coordinating with Third Parties
      4. 4 Coordinating with the Client
      5. 5 Commercial
      6. 6 Reviewing the Tender or Proposal
      7. 7 Before Submitting the Tender or Proposal
      8. 8 After Completion of the Tender or Proposal
      9. 9 Proposal Team Presentation
      10. 10 Possible Client Questions for the Proposal Team
    6. Section F: Contracts
      1. 1 Starting Work
      2. 2 Awarding Contracts
      3. 3 Contract Document
      4. 4 Contract Awarded
      5. 5 Contractual Issues
      6. 6 Some Contractual Reminders
      7. 7 Discharge of a Contract
  9. Part IV: Project Execution
    1. Section A: Project Launch
      1. 1 Project Checks
      2. 2 Project Objectives
      3. 3 Scope Launch
      4. 4 Team Launch
      5. 5 Execution Launch
      6. 6 Launch Controls
      7. 7 Hold Kick‐Off Meeting
      8. 8 Kick‐Off Meeting Agenda
      9. 9 Kick‐Off Schedule
    2. Section B: Establishing An Office
    3. Section C: Getting Organized
      1. 1 Setting up the Project Infrastructure
      2. 2 Controlling the Documents
      3. 3 Responsibilities
      4. 4 Procedures
      5. 5 Project Execution Plan
      6. 6 Formalities
      7. 7 Project Insurance
      8. 8 Some Advice
    4. Section D: Mobilization
      1. 1
    5. Section E: Client Relations
      1. 1
    6. Section F: Scope
      1. 1 Scope Documents
      2. 2 Changes to the Scope
      3. 3 Work Packaging
    7. Section G: Estimates and Budget
      1. 1 Establishing the Estimate(s)
      2. 2 Trend Programme
      3. 3 Allowances
      4. 4 The Budget
    8. Section H: Accounting
      1. 1 Looking after the Finances
      2. 2 Bonds
    9. Section J: Planning and Scheduling
      1. 1 Getting Organized
      2. 2 Planning
      3. 3 Scheduling
    10. Section K: Project Controls
      1. 1 Setting Up
      2. 2 Progress and Reporting
      3. 3 Cost Progress and Control
      4. 4 The Critical Path
    11. Section L: Variations/Changes/Claims
      1. 1 Trend Base Estimate
      2. 2 Trend Meetings
      3. 3 Potential Trends
      4. 4 Claims for Changes
      5. 5 Managing Claims
      6. 6 Resist Change
    12. Section M: Reporting
      1. 1 Reporting Cycle
      2. 2 Visibility
      3. 3 Progress Reporting
      4. 4 Progress Report
      5. 5 Cost Reporting
    13. Section N: Project Meetings
      1. 1
    14. Section O: Design
      1. 1 Getting Organized
      2. 2 Reviewing the Design
      3. 3 Some Specific Design Ideas
      4. 4 Construction Issues
    15. Section P: Procurement
      1. 1 Getting Organized
      2. 2 Evaluating Suppliers
      3. 3 Expediting and Inspection
      4. 4 Some Specific Procurement Ideas
      5. 5 Payment Terms
    16. Section Q: Installation and Construction
      1. 1 The Key Staff
      2. 2 Construction Planning
      3. 3 Work Packaging
      4. 4 Construction Site Work
      5. 5 Some Specific Construction Ideas
      6. 6 Establishing Authority
    17. Section R: Subcontracting
      1. 1 Questions to Ask Before Subcontracting
      2. 2 Contracting Checks
      3. 3 Management Issues
      4. 4 List of Some Subcontracts
    18. Section S: Commissioning and Setting To Work
      1. 1
    19. Section T: Contract Completion ‐ Close Out
      1. 1 Handover of Documentation
      2. 2 Handover of Equipment
      3. 3 Clean Up
      4. 4 Disposal of Surplus Material
      5. 5 Closing Contracts
      6. 6 Financial Matters
      7. 7 Close Out
    20. Section U: Post Project Activities
      1. 1 Completing the Records
      2. 2 Post‐project Appraisal – Internal Performance Review
      3. 3 Project/Client Review Meeting/Lessons Learned
      4. 4 Historical Report
      5. 5 Client Follow‐up and Marketing
      6. 6 Internal Projects Benefits
  10. Part V: Specialist Topics
    1. Section A: Completed and Inspected Work
      1. 1 Completed Work
      2. 2 Inspecting Work
    2. Section B: Coordination Procedure
      1. 1 Basic Organizing Information
      2. 2 Coordination with the Company
    3. Section C: Cultural Issues
      1. 1 Some Definitions of Culture:
      2. 2 A Seminal Grouping of Cultures
      3. 3 Some Cultural Issues to be Aware of
      4. 4 Management Style
    4. Section D: Documentation
      1. 1 Contractor's Own Documents and Drawings
      2. 2 Vendor Drawings and Documents:
      3. 3
      4. 4
    5. Section E: Estimating and Contingency
      1. 1 Types of Estimate
      2. 2 Estimate Planning Sequence
      3. 3 The Estimating Process
      4. 4 Estimate Information and Content
      5. 5 Contingency Estimation
    6. Section F: Filing and Archiving
      1. 1 The Filing System
      2. 2 Archiving
      3. 3 Master File Index Recommended Minor Categories and Suggested Subjects
    7. Section G: Financial Appraisal7
      1. 1 Cash versus Profit
      2. 2 Simple Project Appraisal Methods
      3. 3 Payback
      4. 4 Discounted Cash Flow Techniques
      5. 5 Internal Rate of Return – IRR
      6. 6 Sensitivity and Risk Analysis
      7. 7 Financial Appraisal Conclusion
    8. Section H: Incoterms®
      1. 1 Rules for Any Mode or Modes of Transport
      2. 2 Rules for Sea and Inland Waterway Transport
      3. 3 Transfer of Risks and Obligations
      4. 4 Sellers' and Buyers' Detailed Obligations
      5. 5 Additional Information
    9. Section J: Joint Associations
      1. 1 Reasons for Joint Association
      2. 2 Documentation and Legal Requirements
      3. 3 Selecting a Partner
      4. 4 Joint Association Risks
      5. 5 Steps to Evaluate Joint Associations
      6. 6 Key Issues for a Joint Association
      7. 7 Steps in Tendering
      8. 8 Control of the Work
      9. 9 Financial Control
      10. 10 Essentials for Success
      11. 11 Why Joint Associations Fail
    10. Section K: Performance Appraisals
      1. 1 Purpose and Preparation
      2. 2 The Interview
      3. 3 Post‐interview Actions
    11. Section L: Performance Measurement and Earned Value
      1. 1 Design/Engineering Performance
      2. 2 Procurement Performance
      3. 3 Construction Performance
      4. 4 Practical Performance Details
      5. 5 Linking Deliverables to Programme
      6. 6 Recording and Comparing Data
      7. 7 Earned Value Terminology
      8. 8 Useful Health Ratios or Indices
    12. Section M: Risk and Risk List
      1. 1 Process Model
      2. 2 Prioritising Risk
      3. 3 Risk List
      4. 4 People and Risk
      5. 5 Country Risk Assessment
    13. Section N: ‘S’ Curves
      1. 1 Interpreting the Curves
      2. 2 Change Orders
    14. Section O: Site Checks
      1. 1 Country Data
      2. 2 Site Data
      3. 3 Local Authorities
      4. 4 Suppliers and Local Contractors
      5. 5 Labour Availability
      6. 6 Non‐manual Employees
      7. 7 Housing and Camp
      8. 8 Shipping and Handling
    15. Section P: Surety Bonds
      1. 1 Types of Bonds
      2. 2 Characteristics of Bonds
    16. Section Q: Selecting and Building the Team
      1. 1 Selecting the Team
      2. 2 Building the Team
      3. 3 New to the Team
    17. Section R: Team Roles
      1. 1 Specification of the Eight Team Roles
      2. 2 A Suggestion for a Project Manager
      3. 3 Matching the Roles to the Project Process
    18. Section S: Value Management/Engineering
      1. 1 VM/VE Process
      2. 2 Group Process
  11. Part VI: Skills Check Lists
    1. Section A: Communications
      1. 1 Correspondence
      2. 2 Documents
      3. 3 Electronic Media
      4. 4 Oral
      5. 5 Social
      6. 6 Visual
      7. 7 Other Communication Tools
      8. 8 Translators
      9. 9 A Difficulty
      10. 10 Some Reminders
    2. Section B: Leadership and Motivation
      1. 1 Consensus to Dictatorial Continuum by Tannenbaum and Schmidt
      2. 2 The Three S's of Group Communications
      3. 3 Situational Leadership by Kenneth Blanchard and Dr. Paul Hersey
      4. 4 Task, Team, Individual – Action Centred Leadership by John Adair
      5. 5 Leadership and Management Roles
      6. 6 Management by Walking/Wandering Around MBWA
      7. 7 Responsibility
      8. 8 Leadership – More Than a Management Model
      9. 9 Thoughts for the Day
    3. Section C: Managing and Conducting Meetings
      1. 1 Planning the Meeting
      2. 2 The Agenda
      3. 3 Manage the Process and the People
      4. 4 Control the Discussion
      5. 5 Construct Decisions and Summarize
      6. 6 Record and Notify
    4. Section D: Negotiation
      1. 1 Preparation for Negotiation
      2. 2 Discuss Interests
      3. 3 Signal
      4. 4 Propose for Movement
      5. 5 Package
      6. 6 Bargain
      7. 7 Close the Deal
      8. 8 Agree the Deal
      9. 9 Techniques and Tricks
    5. Section E: Personal Skills
      1. 1 Planning an Interaction with Others
      2. 2 The Exchange
      3. 3 Asking Questions
      4. 4 Changing Style
      5. 5 Team Role Style
      6. 6 Finalizing the Interaction
      7. 7 Giving and Receiving Feedback
      8. 8 Dealing with Difficult People
      9. 9 Being Angry
      10. 10 Priorities
      11. 11 Time Management
      12. 12 Learning
      13. 13 Motivating Skills
      14. 14 Some Personal Advice
      15. 15 Questionnaires
    6. Section F: Politics in Projects
      1. 1 Typical Destructive Behaviour
      2. 2 Dubious Behaviour?
      3. 3 How Politics Can Affect a Project
      4. 4 Some Advice
      5. 5 Something to Think About
    7. Section G: Presentation Skills
      1. 1 Fundamentals for All Presentations
      2. 2 Format for a Presentation to Inform/Explain
      3. 3 Presentation to Influence/Convince
      4. 4 Presentation Expressing a Viewpoint/Opinion
      5. 5 Team Presentations
      6. 6 Your Audience
      7. 7 Presentation Skills Analysis
      8. 8 Organizing the Location
      9. 9 Visual and Other Aids
      10. 10 Dealing with Questions
      11. 11 Summarizing a Presentation
    8. Section H: Prioritising Techniques
      1. 1 Group Work Using Flip Charts
      2. 2 Graphical Plots
      3. 3 Binary Decision‐making
    9. Section J: Problem‐solving Process
      1. Define the Problem
      2. 2 Define the Objectives and Success Criteria
      3. 3 Analyse the Problem
      4. 4 Create and Propose Solutions
      5. 5 Evaluate, Forecast Consequences, and Select
      6. 6 Recommend, Plan Action, and Implement the Solution
      7. 7 Evaluate the Outcome and Follow Up
    10. Section K: Problem‐solving Techniques
      1. 1 Brainstorming
      2. 2 Check Sheets
      3. 3 Pareto and Other Diagrams
      4. 4 Cause and Effect – Ishikawa or Fish Bone Diagram
      5. 5 Force Field Analysis
    11. Section I: Report Writing
      1. 1 The Report Objective
      2. 2 The Reader
      3. 3 The Material for the Report
      4. 4 The Report Structure
      5. 5 The Executive Summary
      6. 6 Introduction to the Report
      7. 7 The Body of the Report
      8. 8 Writing the Report
      9. 9 Conclusions and Recommendations
      10. 10 Appendices
      11. 11 Finalizing the Report
  12. Abbreviations
  13. Index
  14. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Effective Project Management
  • Author(s): Garth G.F. Ward
  • Release date: August 2018
  • Publisher(s): Wiley-Blackwell
  • ISBN: 9781119469445