Until the early '90s, project management was definitely located somewhere near the unsexy end of the business spectrum. But now, with the rise of downsizing and outsourcing, it has become one of the hot disciplines. Professional membership of the U.S.-based Project Management Institute has quadrupled in the last decade, and Microsoft claimed recently to have over 2 million users worldwide of its project-management software. The reasons for this growth are simple. Project management is about managing "projects," that is, unique pieces of work (as opposed to ongoing operations). Downsizing, outsourcing, and the accelerating pace of change have meant that, increasingly, work is carried out on an ad-hoc, one-off project basis. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management is designed as an advanced textbook for businesspeople with a grasp of the basics and insufficient time (or inclination) to go back to school to learn more. Written by Eric Verzuh, president of the Versatile Company, a leading project-management consultancy, this is not a heavy academic text.

Like the rest of the Fast Forward series, this book is designed to let the reader extract maximum information in minimum time. There is a strong use of graphics with tables, charts cross-heads, and bullet points. Important passages are flagged in bold and/or emblazoned with the words key concept. When you read it, you realize that there is nothing magical about project management, just the application of careful common sense. The book covers all the basic stuff like planning, time-tabling, quantity and price estimation, resource allocation, and scheduling. But it also acknowledges that there is inevitably a political dimension to every project, no matter how small. So it has important sections on how to ensure that all the stakeholders in the project are kept "on board" and the importance of communication.

As Verzuh states in his introduction, "Every project participant from part-time team member to executive sponsor, becomes more effective once he or she understands the basics of project management." Really, this is a book about management that every manager should read, whether he or she has a project or not. --Alex Benady


Book Description
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management brings you the information you need when you need it most- now! This practical, easy-to-use guide gives you instant access to the cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of today's leading experts on project management. In short, lively segments using real-world examples, it delivers the information you need to navigate complex project management issues. You'll find brief descriptions of key concepts, tips on real-world applications, compact case studies, the most sought-after skills, and warnings on how to avoid pitfalls. Here are all the tools you need to manage even the most complex project. You'll discover how to:
* Coordinate a team by getting everyone to agree on the objectives and schedules
* Find the best sponsor for your specific project
* Set a realistic schedule and budget projections
* Outline and build a specific project plan, step-by-step
* Make accurate estimates and better manage the expectations of customers as well as management
* And much more
The Portable MBA From the creators of the bestselling Portable MBA series comes The Fast Forward MBA .
* A quick way to brush up on new ideas
* An easy-to-use format that his in any briefcase
* Real-world information that you can put to use now!


Book Info
Provides a practical, easy-to-use guide to give you instant access to the cutting-edge ideas and information you need to navigate complex project management issues. Softcover.


Back Cover Copy
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management brings you the information you need when you need it most— now! This practical, easy-to-use guide gives you instant access to the cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of today’s leading experts on project management. In short, lively segments using real-world examples, it delivers the information you need to navigate complex project management issues. You’ll find brief descriptions of key concepts, tips on real-world applications, compact case studies, the most sought-after skills, and warnings on how to avoid pitfalls. Here are all the tools you need to manage even the most complex project. You’ll discover how to:Coordinate a team by getting everyone to agree on the objectives and schedulesFind the best sponsor for your specific projectSet a realistic schedule and budget projectionsOutline and build a specific project plan, step-by-stepMake accurate estimates and better manage the expectations of customers as well as managementAnd much moreThe Portable MBA From the creators of the bestselling Portable MBA series comes The Fast Forward MBA …A quick way to brush up on new ideasAn easy-to-use format that his in any briefcaseReal-world information that you can put to use now!


About the Author
Eric Verzuh (Seattle, WA) is President of the Versatile Company, which delivers project management training and consulting to such major corporations as Adobe Systems, Inc., The Boeing Company, GE Capital, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Nordstrom. He is certified by the Project Management Institute.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A practical, proven method for successfully managing complex business initiatives The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management is a must for any professional working in today's increasingly project-oriented world. This guide presents managers and team members with proven techniques for managing projects, from establishing project objectives to building realistic schedule and cost projections. While it teaches the basic methods for defining, planning, and tracking a project, it also shows how to use these techniques to build stronger teams and lead all project participants, including the customer and management. In an accessible, user-friendly format, the author explains the time-tested principles of project management that have worked on millions of projects around the world.

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management brings you the information you need when you need it most- now! This practical, easy-to-use guide gives you instant access to the cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of today's leading experts on project management. In short, lively segments using real-world examples, it delivers the information you need to navigate complex project management issues. You'll find brief descriptions of key concepts, tips on real-world applications, compact case studies, the most sought-after skills, and warnings on how to avoid pitfalls. Here are all the tools you need to manage even the most complex project.

You'll discover how to: Coordinate a team by getting everyone to agree on the objectives and schedules Find the best sponsor for your specific project Set a realistic schedule and budget projections Outline and build a specific project plan, step-by-step Make accurate estimates and better manage the expectations of customers as well as management And much more! From the creators of the bestselling Portable MBA series comes The Fast Forward MBA .

SYNOPSIS