Project Management For You

163 Pages·2015·1.167 MB·English

by  Cesar Abeid

What People Are Saying About Cesar Abeid and
Project Management for You:
“Cesar Abeid is one of that special group of community-conscious builders of the
profession. His ‘PM for the Masses’ podcast reaches thousands of practitioners
worldwide, and, together with Cornelius Fichtner’s ‘PM Podcast,’ has had a
significant impact on increasing PM knowledge through intriguing and pragmatic
interviews on how to be the best professionals we can be. The clarity and the
straight forward simplicity that mark his podcast style are in evidence throughout
this book. It will make life easier for many who need to understand the essentials of
project management excellence. Highly recommended.”
— Dev Ramcharan, Founder and Lead Coach, AROUCA Consulting and Career
Coaching
“Cesar has a gift for telling stories and bringing them home as they relate to our
jobs, our lives, and our professional futures. He walks you not only through the
project management processes (and challenges), but does so in a warm, anecdotal
format that makes you a part of his community. His book covers the basic elements
of project management, but does so in a way that makes you actually care about the
mechanics of our sometimes sterile profession. It’s a rich story when told well, and
Cesar tells it well.”
— Carl Pritchard, PMP, PMI-RMP, Project/Risk-Management Guru, Lecturer, and
Author
“Cesar Abeid’s book, Project Management for You, is aptly titled. It is for you.
And you…and YOU. Cesar has written a book that is frank, accessible, pragmatic,
thorough, and illustrated with meaningful, colorful, personal examples as well as
highlights (and lowlights) from recent, real projects to make his points and to
familiarize you with what you need to know about our discipline of project
management. Do ‘you’ a favor and keep it on your bookshelf for reading and ready
reference!”
— Rich Maltzman, PMP, Co-Founder of EarthPM, LLC, and Co-Author of Green
Project Management and Driving Project, Program and Portfolio Success
“We humans have an almost ‘built-in’ ability to manage projects. It starts at a very
young age when we successfully complete our first science project at school, and
from then on, project management is just ‘something we all do.’ But we don’t really
do it well, and we often just fake it by learning from past mistakes. If only there
were a better way and a simple process. This is where Project Management for
You comes into play. Using the art of storytelling, Cesar Abeid almost playfully
shows you how you can turn any idea into reality. His book and process are the
crank that moves things forward.”
— Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, Host of The Project Management Podcast
“Cesar Abeid and I are soul-mates of sorts. What we share is a passion to simplify
PM and make it accessible to everyone. And we share (but seldom dare to
articulate) this hope: that effective PM will help you get home from work earlier
and less frazzled, feeling more joy and pride in the work that you and your project
teams accomplish. In short, it’s not about the complicated charts and spreadsheets
or the straitjackets of prescribed PM procedures. It’s about realizing a shared
vision with a team that is excited about the process of creating something out of
nothing. In this little gem of a book, Cesar gives you ‘just enough’ of the formal PM
stuff to allow you to decide for yourself what will help or what will get in the way
of your team as you pursue that shared vision. And he serves up this formal PM
stuff with side dishes of humor, compassion, and common sense. Pay attention.
Listen with your heart. Then create your own unique PM process from what you’ve
learned here. (Did I mention that I wish I had written this book? Well, it’s true. Well
done, Cesar!)”
— Michael Greer, Author of The Project Management Minimalist
http://michaelgreer.biz/?page_id=1668
“If you want to learn how to manage projects in a way that takes advantage of what
you and your project team can do, read Project Management for You. Cesar takes a
no-nonsense, down-to-earth approach so you can, too. From starting with a
reasonable mindset to creating teams, finding people who can work on your
project, and delegating to them, Cesar’s approach is level-headed and warm-
hearted. If you are a project manager and you’re not sure where to start, read this
book.”
— Johanna Rothman, Author of Manage It! Your Guide to Modern, Pragmatic
Project Management
“Cesar’s conversational style makes this an easy book to read— just like talking to
a mentor. His practical advice will help you break down tasks and get things done.
He demystifies the science of project management and explains the art of working
with others for a successful result. Everyone is a project manager—this book will
show you how to be the best one you can possibly be!”
— Elizabeth Harrin, FAPM, Director, Otobos Consultants, and Author at
www.GirlsGuideToPM.com
“Cesar Abeid weaves a fresh and practical perspective into the application of
project management by showing us how to apply those proven methodologies to our
day-to-day lives. As a certified PM and an ex-corporate project manager, there is
no doubt in my mind as to the immense benefits of project management in the
workplace, once applied well. Imagine taking those immense benefits and applying
them to your personal life, in everything from managing your daily routines more
efficiently to leading a major life change or going through a big transition with
peace of mind. Whatever you may be going through, there is a way to do it more
efficiently, more intelligently, and more effectively with what you learn in Project
Management for Life. As Abeid makes so abundantly clear in his words: Life is a
project and you are the manager. And, I add, to be a good project manager, you
need to know how to go about it. This book is your answer.”
— Farnoosh Brock, Executive and Career Coach, Author, Prolific Living, Inc.
“As a long-time fan of ‘PM for the Masses,’ I am delighted to say that Cesar Abeid
has come up with as good a book as his podcast series has always been—engaging,
enjoyable, but with that all important ‘value’ built in throughout. Project
Management for You is an easy read and a great tool to guide you in your project
work. As Cesar reminds us ‘Life is a project,’ and we are the project managers, and
we all need as much help as we can get to be great project managers. This book is
one such aid.”
— Peter Taylor, Author of The Lazy Project Manager
“In this age of furiously moving pieces, project organization can wither even the
stoutest heart. Luckily, we have Cesar to help put it all into perspective. The book
in your hands is filled with helpful project management tips for novices and
seasoned professionals alike. On top of that, he delivers his advice with a
wonderful love of storytelling that’s a pleasure to read. Look at the world of
project organization through Cesar’s eyes. There you’ll find a calm that comes from
a career’s worth of confidence and professionalism. Let him inspire you to find
new perspectives in your own career.”
— Geoff Crane, The Papercut Project Manager
“If your goal is to have mediocre projects, avoid this book at all costs! Cesar has a
natural gift of taking an idea, breaking it down into small digestible steps, and
turning it into reality. The sky is the limit for those who are willing to apply the
principles in this book.”
— Jared Easley, Co-Founder of Podcast Movement
“When Cesar Abeid told me he was writing this book, Project Management for
You, I was delighted for him and excited for you, the reader. I first met Cesar at a
PMI meeting and participated in his podcast, PM for the Masses, where he has
inter- viewed the best PM thought leaders and project managers in the world. You
see, Cesar hasn’t just acquired the knowledge of project management, he shares the
tremendous wisdom of how to apply that knowledge. He makes your life better by
sharing real-life stories and applications for you to put to use in your life right
away. If you want to make your work more effective and enjoyable and your life
easier and more fulfilling, read this book and put Cesar’s wisdom to work in your
career, your community, and your life!”
— Traci Duez, Leadership Development Coach & Inspirational Speaker
http://PMbrilliance.com
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
FOR YOU
HOW TO TURN IDEAS INTO REALITY,
DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISES,
AND GET THINGS DONE
CESAR ABEID, PMP
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR YOU
How to Turn Your Ideas Into Reality, Deliver on Your Promises, and Get Things
Done
Copyright © 2015 by Cesar Abeid. All rights reserved.
Published by:
Aviva Publishing
Lake Placid, NY
[phone]
www.AvivaPubs.com
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any
manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the author. Address
all inquiries to:
Cesar Abeid
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.ProjectManagementForYou.com
http://pmforthemasses.com
ISBN: 978-1-943164-28-8 (hard cover version)
Library of Congress: 2015910365 (hard cover version)
Editor: Tyler Tichelaar
Cover Designer: www.AngelDogProductions.com
Interior Book Layout: www.AngelDogProductions.com
Author Photo: Yvonne Long
Every attempt has been made to source properly all quotes. Printed in Canada
First Edition
2 4 6 8 10 12
DEDICATION
To my wife and perfect match, Amy, for putting up with my getting up at five
o’clock in the morning for months on end to work on this book. Without her support,
it would not have been possible.
To my sweet daughter, Laura, so that this work may serve as inspiration to turn
some of her millions of cool ideas into reality some day.
To my thoughtful son, Adam, whose love of wrestling taught me to find joy in the
hustle.
To my tiny, fearless daughter, Lucy, for reminding me that we can be strong, know
what we want, yet still be graceful, loving, and always bring a smile to those
around us.
To our three babies, who did not have a chance to live in this world, but whom we
hope to meet in the next.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would not have been able to write and publish this book if it weren’t for help
from a lot of people. This book is the result of teamwork!
Thank you to all Kickstarter supporters, especially my sisters Tina Schallhorn and
Mariana Abeid-McDougall and their beautiful families, Albert Hathazi, Andrew
and Erin Jardine, Andrew Scheer, Ben Adam-Smith, Bob and Lauren Bullock,
Brian Cohn, Brian Wallace, Bruce Harpham, Carlos Flesch, Cheri Essner, Chris
Mar (RTVR), Christina and Raphael Bahati, Claude Emond, Cliff Ravenscraft,
Craig Adams, Craig Herrmann, Cynthia Sanchez, Danilo Tambone, Diana Gould,
Dustin Hartzler, Erich Jess, Erin Jardine, Everett Norris, Farnoosh Brock, Gary
McGugan, Glauber Costa, H. Murat Gunaydin, Haldor Husby, Ilya Inozemtsev
(RTVR), Jacob and Yvonne Simpson, James Kinson, Jim and Janet Duketow, Joe
Campa, John Murphy, Jose Rodriguez, Kris and Elizabeth Kauffeld, Krystopher
Wojciech, Lawrence Jardine, Leonardo Gibrail, Marinus Vander Vloet, Mark
Mason, Matthew Cutler-Welsh, Matthew Kidner, Matthew Opuda, Melissa Snell,
Michel Dion, Mike and Izabela Russell, Mikhail Inozemtsev, Neil Damackine, Orri
Jonsson, Peder Aadahl, Peter Bolt, Rich Madden, Rickard Nisses-Gagnér, Roy
Gatling, Scott Howe, Stephen Cross, Steve and Beth Bullock, Timo Antony, and
Traci Duez.
Thank you to the team at PMI Durham-Highlands Chapter for believing in me and in
this idea.
Thank you to the folks at the Dads and Dudes Barbershop in St. Thomas, Ontario,
for letting me film my Kickstarter video on their premises.
I would like also to thank Margaret Meloni, Ron Rosenhead, Michael Greer, Geoff
Crane, Rich Maltzman, Dave Gordon, Johanna Rothman, Francis Hooke, Mark
Phillipy, Stephen Carver, Peter Taylor, Adriana Girdler, Cornelius Fichtner,
Elizabeth Harrin, Tony Adams, Carl Pritchard, Susanne Madsen, and Andy
Kauffman for their interviews as part of the Project Management for You podcast
series.
Thank you to the thousands of listeners of the Project Management for the Masses
Podcast. Your encouraging words and support made this possible.
Thank you to my parents for always believing in me, especially my dad, Jorge
Abeid, who introduced me to project management.
Thank you to my book writing and publishing coach, Patrick Snow.
And finally, thanks to Silvia Caetano Silva, Christine Aguila, and Mel Livatino, my
awesome English as a Second Language teachers from many years ago. I hope this
book inspires them to keep teaching.