Published: May 2010
Page Count: 242
ISBN (Digital): 978-1-4533-2704-3

Project Management: from Simple to Complex

Version 1.0
By Russell Darnall and John M. Preston

Included Supplements

Manual

Slides

Tests

Key Features

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In a world that is becoming more virtual, more global, and more complex, the project manager's ability to function in this environment becomes critical to the success of the project. Project Management from Simple to Complex explores project management within this complex, virtual, and global environment.

This is not a standard textbook that was adapted to the new publishing paradigm; it was designed from the beginning to utilize its capabilities. The book is written in collaboration by an expert in Project Management—Russell Darnall—and an expert in writing instructional textbooks and using technology for communicating online—John Preston—to create a unique learning environment that prepares students to manage projects in a global, multicultural, and online environment.

Project Management from Simple to Complex features a new model for managing projects, as well as, exploration into the personal dynamics of project management and the role those dynamics play in project outcomes.

1.1 Project Management Defined

1.2 Project Defined

1.3 Project Context

1.4 Key Skills of the Project Manager

1.5 Introduction to the Project Management Knowledge Areas

1.6 Exercises

Chapter 2: Project Profiling

2.1 Using a Project Profile

2.2 Project Profiling Models

2.3 Complex Systems and the Darnall-Preston Complexity Index

2.4 Darnall-Preston Complexity Index Structure

2.5 Exercises

Chapter 3: Project Phases and Organization

3.1 Project Phases

3.2 Project Organization

3.3 Using the Darnall-Preston Complexity Index to Measure Organizational Complexity

3.4 Exercises

Chapter 4: Understanding and Meeting Client Expectations

4.1 Including the Client

4.2 Understanding Values and Expectations

4.3 Dealing with Problems

4.4 Nurturing a Feeling of Satisfaction

4.5 Exercises

Chapter 5: Working with People on Projects

5.1 Working with Individuals

5.2 Working with Groups and Teams

5.3 Creating a Project Culture

5.4 Exercises

Chapter 6: Communication Technologies

6.1 Types of Communication

6.2 Selecting Software

6.3 Exercises

Chapter 7: Starting a Project

7.1 Project Selection

7.2 Project Scope

7.3 Project Start-Up

7.4 Alignment Process

7.5 Communications Planning

7.6 Exercises

Chapter 8: Project Time Management

8.1 Types of Schedules

8.2 Elements of Time Management

8.3 Critical Path and Float

8.4 Managing the Schedule

8.5 Project Scheduling Software

8.6 Exercises

Chapter 9: Estimating and Managing Costs

9.1 Estimating Costs

9.2 Managing the Budget

9.3 Exercises

Chapter 10: Managing Project Quality

10.1 Quality and Statistics

10.2 Development of Quality as a Competitive Advantage

10.3 Relevance of Quality Programs to Project Quality

10.4 Planning and Controlling Project Quality

10.5 Assuring Quality

10.6 Exercises

Chapter 11: Managing Project Risk

11.1 Defining Risk

11.2 Risk Management Process

11.3 Project Risk by Phases

11.4 Project Risk and the Project Complexity Profile

11.5 Exercises

Chapter 12: Project Procurement and Closure

12.1 Identifying the Need for Resources Outside the Organization

12.2 Procurement Plan

12.3 Selecting the Type of Contract

12.4 Procurement Process

12.5 Project Closure

12.6 Exercises

Instructor’s Manual

The Instructor’s Manual guides you through the main concepts of each chapter and important elements such as learning objectives, key terms, and key takeaways. Can include answers to chapter exercises, group activity suggestions, and discussion questions.

PowerPoint Lecture Notes

A PowerPoint presentation highlighting key learning objectives and the main concepts for each chapter are available for you to use in your classroom. You can either cut and paste sections or use the presentation as a whole.

Test Item File

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Russell Darnall

Walden University

Russell W. Darnall has more than fifteen years managing large projects in the U.S., Ireland, India, and South America. He was a reviewer on the 1996 edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) the helped standardize the definitions of the field. He has written two books on project management including The World's Greatest Project that was published by the Project Management Institute and is a sought-after speaker for International Conferences on project management. Darnall won the Educator of the Year award 2004-2005 from the South Carolina Technical Education Association.

John M. Preston

Eastern Michigan University

John M. Preston is an Associate Professor at Eastern Michigan University in the Technology Management program in the College of Technology. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty books on using computer software and on the impact of technology on society. His work includes portions of the Go! textbook series for MS Office 2003 and Computer Literacy for the IC3 2005 and 2009 standards using both MS Office and OpenOffice.org. He wrote Computers in a Changing Society (2005) and Living Online (2009). Preston won the Educator of the Year award from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) in 1994.