Managing Public Sector Projects: A Strategic Framework for Success in an Era of Downsized Government, Second Edition

by David S. Kassel

Overview

Filling a gap in project management literature, this book supplies managers and administrators—at all levels of government—with expert guidance on all aspects of public sector project management. From properly allocating risks in drafting contracts to dealing with downsized staffs and privatized services, this book clearly explains the technical concepts and the political issues public managers need to understand. In line with the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and the PMBOK® Guide, David S. Kassel establishes a framework those in the public sector may follow to ensure the success of their public projects and programs. The book supplies more than 30 real-life examples to illustrate the concepts behind the framework—including reconstruction projects in Iraq, the Big Dig project in Boston, local sewer system and library construction projects, and software technology.

This second edition includes all-new extended case studies examining recent issues including the rollout of healthcare.gov, the controversial California High Speed Rail system, and refurbishing the Harvard Town Hall. Contributing to critical discussions on budgeting for capital projects and cost-benefit analysis for preliminary planning, this authoritative new edition provides strategic recommendations for effective planning, execution, and maintenance of public projects. In an age of downsized government and in the face of a general distrust of public service, this book is a dependable guide for avoiding common pitfalls and for delivering projects on cost, on schedule, and of the highest quality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498707428
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/12/2016
Series:	ASPA Series in Public Administration and Public Policy
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	322
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

David S. Kassel is the Principal of Accountable Strategies Consulting, LLC, a research, analysis, and management consulting firm for organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, USA.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing Public Sector Project Management

2. A Strategic Framework for Public Sector Project Management

3. Project Planning, Part 1: Getting the Concept Right

4. Project Planning, Part 2: Developing and Refining the Process

5. Project Planning, Part 3: Finalizing the Process

6. Selecting the Best Agents, Part 1: Building the Project Team

7. Selecting the Best Agents, Part 2: Contractors and Consultants

8. Enacting Advantageous Agreements

9. Controlling Public Projects

10. Project Closeout and Beyond

Editorial Reviews

"As a principal in a firm that provides owners project management services to public owners on large, complicated projects, I believe this book contains important insights for public sector managers. The book provides valuable guidance on overcoming the political and technical challenges to delivering projects that implement their vision on time and on budget." –Claude G. Lancome, Executive Vice President, Coast and Harbor Associates, Inc., USA

"This updated edition of David S. Kassel’s book should be read by all elected officials involved in public projects." –Peter Jackson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USA

"As in the original book, the art and science of public sector project management are effectively presented through a constructive discussion of positive and negative examples in the second edition. These examples are more numerous and recent including the problematic rollout of the website for the Affordable Care Act. The new edition also contains an additional appendix in which four case studies are discussed in extensive detail." –Paul F. Mlakar, PE, Engineer Emeritus at the Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA

From the Publisher