Managing Projects (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)

by Harvard Business Review

Overview

Master the basics of project management.

You've been asked to manage a key project—or perhaps you've volunteered for an assignment that could advance your career. So how do you make sure the project succeeds? Managing Projects walks you quickly through the basics, including:

• Drawing up a realistic schedule and project plan
• Monitoring key tasks and benchmarks
• Communicating with stakeholders
• Bringing the project to a close

Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives—from the most trusted source in business.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781625270832
Publisher:	Harvard Business Review Press
Publication date:	03/11/2014
Series:	20-Minute Manager
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, 11 international licensed editions, books from Harvard Business Review Press, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review provides professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact.

Table of Contents

The Basics 1

What constitutes a project 3

What project management involves 4

The four phases of every project 6

Planning Your Project 11

Define the real problem 14

Identify your stakeholders 18

Set the project's goals 20

Prepare for trade-offs 24

Spell out the tasks 26

Building Up Your Project 35

Assemble your team 38

Set the schedule 44

Develop a budget 56

Managing Your Project 61

Delegate-but track results 64

Monitor progress against the schedule 66

Monitor progress against the budget 69

Ensure quality control 71

Report progress to stakeholders 73

Dealing with Your Project's Problems 75

Scope creep 77

Delays 78

Budget overruns 80

People issues 82

Bringing Your Project to a Successful Conclusion 89

Prepare the handoff 92

Conduct a post-project evaluation 93

Develop a useful final report 94

Thank everyone-and prepare for the next project 100

Test Yourself 103

Learn More 113

Sources 121

Index 123