Optimizing Project Management

373 Pages·2020·6.728 MB·English

by  Te Wu

Optimizing Project
Management
Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis Group
http://taylorandfrancis.com
Optimizing Project
Management
Te Wu
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
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To my parents, thank you for always being there for me, from raising me to be
an independent thinker and the endless support over the years. To my children
for your small and big sacrifices, such as weekends of staying home because I was
too busy, coping with dad’s cooking, or even putting up with my temper. To my
close friends from the college years who have helped to shape my sense of self by
giving me the platform to learn and experiment about respect, collegiality, trust,
and building lasting friendships. Most importantly, to my darling wife who has
always stood by me and supported me when I am down and giving me the love
and space to pursue my passions. I am truly blessed with all of you in my life.
Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis Group
http://taylorandfrancis.com
Contents
List of Figures ....................................................................................................xv
List of Tables ....................................................................................................xix
List of Templates in Appendix A .....................................................................xxi
Preface ............................................................................................................xxiii
Acknowledgments .........................................................................................xxvii
Author .............................................................................................................xxix
Part 1 SEttING tHE StaGE
1 Project Management – What and Why? .................................................3
Summary .....................................................................................................3
1.1 Importance of Project Management ..................................................4
1.1.1 Overview ..............................................................................4
1.1.2 Project Management and Its Environment ............................5
1.2 What Is Project Management? ...........................................................7
1.2.1 Dimensions of Project Management .....................................7
1.2.2 Recognizing a Successful Project ...........................................8
1.3 The Role of Project Manager ...........................................................10
1.4 About the Project Management Institute .........................................10
1.5 Duty of Care ...................................................................................13
1.5.1 Case 1: Flint Michigan Water Crisis ...................................14
1.5.2 Case 2: Boeing 737 Max Series ...........................................15
1.6 Why Project Management Is an Exciting Field ................................17
1.7 Project Management in Motion .......................................................19
2 Organizing Project Management Knowledge – Principles,
Knowledge Domains, Life Cycles, and Agile versus Traditional
Approaches ...........................................................................................21
Summary ...................................................................................................21
2.1 Project Management Principles........................................................22
2.2 Core Project Management Knowledge Domains .............................25
vii
viii ◾ Contents
2.3 Additional Knowledge Domains .....................................................27
2.4 Project Life Cycle .............................................................................28
2.5 Predictive Approach versus Adaptive Approach ...............................30
2.5.1 Derivative Methodologies ...................................................31
2.6 Project Management Process ...........................................................32
2.7 Optimizing Project through “Right-Size” Project Management ......33
2.7.1 Four Guidelines for Right-Size Project Management ..........35
2.8 Project Management in Motion .......................................................36
Part 2 PrOJECtS IN MOtION – FrOM IDEaS tO rESULtS
3 Ideation – Aligning Projects with Strategy ..........................................39
Summary ...................................................................................................39
3.1 Strategic Business Execution and Environmental Context ..............40
3.2 Entrance and Exit Criteria for Ideation ............................................45
3.3 Project Selection .............................................................................46
3.4 Making Sound Project Decisions .....................................................48
3.5 Developing a Culture of Execution ..................................................51
3.6 Business Case ..................................................................................53
3.7 Project Management in Motion .......................................................55
4 Initiation – Starting the Project Right .................................................57
Summary ...................................................................................................57
4.1 The Challenges of Getting Started ...................................................58
4.2 What Is the Fuzzy Front End? .........................................................60
4.2.1 Anatomy of the Fuzzy Front End ........................................61
4.3 Good Practices for Managing the Fuzzy Front End .........................62
4.4 Seven Steps to Managing the Fuzzy Front End ...............................64
4.5 The Project Charter ........................................................................66
4.5.1 Project Charter Key Elements .............................................67
4.6 Project Management in Motion .......................................................68
5 Preparation – Planning to Achieve Optimal Implementation .............71
Summary ...................................................................................................71
5.1 About Preparation Phase .................................................................72
5.2 Project Complexity ..........................................................................72
5.2.1 Examples of Project Complexity – Problems and
Potential Solutions ..............................................................75
5.3 Identifying and Confronting Project Complexity ............................79
5.4 Project Management in Motion .......................................................80
6 Implementing Projects – Getting It Done ............................................81
Summary ...................................................................................................81
6.1 The Art of Execution .......................................................................82
Contents ◾ ix
6.2 Monitoring Projects .........................................................................83
6.3 Managing Special Situations in Projects .........................................84
6.4 Controlling Projects.........................................................................85
6.5 Project Challenges during Implementation ......................................86
6.6 Think Like a Project Manager .........................................................87
6.7 Achieve Sound Decisions .................................................................88
6.8 Project Management in Motion ......................................................90
7 Project Transition and/or Closure – Celebrating Success ....................91
Summary ...................................................................................................91
7.1 Transitioning and/or Closing Projects or Phases ..............................92
7.2 Specific Transitions and/or Closures ................................................93
7.2.1 Scope Transition and/or Closure .........................................94
7.2.2 Schedule Transition and/or Closure ....................................94
7.2.3 Cost Transition and/or Closure ...........................................94
7.2.4 Quality Transition and/or Closure ......................................94
7.2.5 Resource Transition and/or Closure ....................................95
7.2.6 Communication Transition and/or Closure ........................95
7.2.7 Risk Transition and/or Closure ...........................................95
7.2.8 Procurement Transition and/or Closure ..............................95
7.2.9 Stakeholder Transition and/or Closure ................................96
7.2.10 Project Integration Transition and/or Closure .....................96
7.3 Project Management in Motion .......................................................96
Part 3 KNOWLEDGE DOMaIN
8 Project Integration Management – The Most Important
Knowledge Domain............................................................................101
Summary .................................................................................................101
8.1 Importance of Project Integration ..................................................102
8.2 Project Integration Artifacts in Project Preparation Phase .............105
8.3 Managing Project Work during Project Implementation ...............106
8.3.1 Managing Project Knowledge ...........................................106
8.4 How to Control Performance and Manage Change .......................107
8.4.1 Monitor and Control Project Work ...................................107
8.4.2 Perform Integrated Change Control..................................108
8.5 Integrated Transitioning and/or Closing Projects ..........................109
8.5.1 Postproject Evaluation .......................................................110
8.6 Project Management in Motion .....................................................110
9 Stakeholder Management – Knowing the People ...............................113
Summary .................................................................................................113
9.1 Importance of Engaging Project Stakeholders ...............................114