Gazza's Guide to Practical Project Management: Tips and Advice on Surviving the Project Management Journey

- September 10, 2012

Gazza's Guides

- Publisher

Description

Life is complicated. If we can simplify the job of getting things done, the better off we usually are. This is particularly important in managing projects. In this book, Gary (Gazza) tackles the complexity of managing projects by breaking the essential components of Project Management down into practical, simple concepts. Whether you simply have an interest in Project Management or are already managing them, this book has something for you.

For most people, we remember things best when they are accompanied by music, or are part of a story. While there is no musical score to this book, there are plenty of project management lessons wrapped in entertaining stories to help the concepts stick. Featuring popular episodes from Gazza's Corner blog and all-new content, this book addresses the four main stages of typical projects: Initiation/Planning, Execution, Closeout and Project Control.

What you will find in this book:

Learn about the importance of the Project Kickoff - and why you need a Monkey to help you through it.
Need to create a new Project Plan? Learn to write it as a story based on lessons learned from a famous author.
Writing requirements? Learn how to develop exceptional ones through lessons learned from Ice Cream - and the Spice Girls.
Implementing Organizational Change? Learn how to do it successfully by growing a Desert.
Learn about the essentials of Risk Management from a pocket umbrella in the heart of the Australian Desert.
You can't get there from here: tips on getting things done, in spite of it all.
A playful theory on the origin of writing - and why it is so important that we write stuff down.
Working with Virtual Teams or Volunteers? Read key lessons on working with both types of teams.
And many other topics.

From managing hundreds of small, concurrent projects to multi-year, multi-million dollar ventures, Gazza shares his 20+ years of experience and lessons learned to help you along the project management journey.

About the author

I am passionate about sharing knowledge and making Project Management concepts more accessible, particularly to new and aspiring Project Managers (of all ages). Said another way, I like to tell stories to help convey complex concepts in a way that helps the concepts "stick". Who says learning shouldn't be fun?

I am thrilled that my blog, podcast and books are being used to support Project Management education, and I hope you gain some useful tips, or at least some food for thought.

Feel free to share your comments and questions in the blog - after all, we learn best by sharing our experiences with others. You can also email me at gary.nelson@gazzasguides.com with comments, suggestions and questions.

But who am I, anyway? I am a Canadian, living "down under" in New Zealand with my family, and loving every bit of it.

I am also an IT Project Manager who has worked in the Telecom, Student Information Systems and Local Government sectors since graduating from Simon Fraser University (BC, Canada) in 1989. My international experience includes projects in New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the US and Canada.

I enjoy speaking and training, and have presented at several PMI events and conferences.

My books include Gazza's Guide to Practical Project Management, and the Project Kids Adventures children's book series, starting with The Ultimate Tree House Project.

My PM blog is Gazza's Corner, and don't forget the Podcast! (also available on iTunes)

I look forward to sharing and learning with you.

Cheers,

Gary (Gazza)

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272

Language

English

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Gary M Nelson March 10, 2014

With last summer’s adventure in the Ultimate Tree House now a fading memory, Amanda is finding it hard to adjust to Middle School. New faces, new teachers, stuck in a different class than her friends - and if that wasn’t bad enough, now she is a “little kid” again. How much more of this could she take? Meanwhile, Ben is on top of the world and enjoying school with his friends. His sister is in a different school and finally out of his hair - life was great!

All of this changes when a surprise announcement brings the Project Kids back together in a two-school competition to build the best Halloween display. Armed with Vampires, Goblins, Zombies, Ghosts and the lessons they learned on their previous adventure, it seems like there is no way they can lose!

This book builds on the Project Management concepts learned in The Ultimate Tree House Project, with a few more key lessons to help them handle more complex projects. Forced to handle constant changes, near-disasters and an immovable deadline, it is going to take their very best to get their project completed on time. Join the Project Kids as they embark on their bravest adventure yet – to build the Scariest Haunted House – Ever. The kids get started on the project and soon learn that it is not just Haunted Houses that can be scary!

Gary M Nelson May 2, 2015

Amanda was terrified. Sure, she and her friends had built a huge tree house and an awesome haunted house together - but now she was in way over her head. Those projects had been for fun - but this one was going to be marked! She and her lab partners have to do a class project for the School Science Fair - but they have absolutely no idea where to start or even what to do. Have they finally met their match?

Meanwhile, the boys have big problems of their own, and the outcome of their project could mean life or death! OK, maybe not actual death, but they could end up cold, wet and hungry, and with no electronics…for a whole weekend!

Join the Project Kids in their third big adventure as they come together to unravel the mysteries of Mice, Men…and Marshmallows.

Parent/Teacher Note:

In this next adventure, the skills the Project Kids learned on their first two big projects are reinforced and expanded as the girls and boys separate to work on distinctly different projects. The book will also cover practical steps and strategies to plan, research, run experiments and report on findings for a Science Fair project.

Gary M Nelson February 14, 2016

The biggest problem with success is that people always expect more from you, thought Amanda. She stared hard at the folded piece of paper sitting on the desk in front of her, hoping it would just go away. Why did I say yes? She wondered. I must have been crazy! We do a couple projects, and now they want me to do this?

She cautiously poked at it again with the end of her pencil, like it was a bomb about to go off. She flicked at the crumpled edge of the paper, those terrible words hidden just out of sight but taunting her nonetheless.

Finally, she could take it no more. She put down the pencil and grasped the paper with shaking hands. Why did I agree to run this thing? What do I know about this stuff, anyway?

With agonizing slowness, Amanda opened up the paper to once again read those terrible words, the words that she had committed to. The thing she had promised to do.

Yes, no problem, Ms Moldiva. Sure! It’ll be fun!

In large, bold letters at the top of the crinkled sheet of paper were the words:

Wanted: Organizer for Valentine’s Day School Dance.

Amanda’s shuddered. It’s going to be a disaster!

---

Join the Project Kids in their fourth big adventure as they come together to organize the Valentine’s Day dance at A. J. Wilkins Intermediate School. Along with the challenges of tackling their biggest project yet, an age-old question will test them to their limits. Will cupid strike the Project Kids - or even worse - pass them by?

Parent/Teacher Note:

The fourth project is their biggest one yet, and the most varied and complex. In addition to planning the dance as a project, they will need to learn how to develop relationships and improve their communication skills as they engage with the whole school. They will learn how to positively influence others, and some tips on how to face up to bullies along the way.

Kim Heldman May 4, 2011

The much-anticipated new edition of the popular project management introductory book

The role of the project manager continues to become more diverse and demanding, placing strong project management skills in high demand. This in-depth introductory guide offers aspiring project managers the essential fundamentals of project management. Fully revised since the previous version, this new edition includes updated project management methods and practices as well as new examples and study questions. Project management guru Kim Heldman presents you with a clear, concise, and enjoyable writing style so that you can approach project management from a practical?rather than theoretical?standpoint.

Serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of project management Provides completely updated and revised material on project management methods and practices Features new examples and study questions Addresses how to create project schedules and budgets and define project goals Covers project management principles, Project Management Institute?s project management standards, and practical application of project management for the workplace

Whether you're considering a career in project management or simply wish to expand your understanding of general project management principles, Project Management JumpStart, Third Edition is ideal reading.

James P. Lewis January 1, 2007

This book is now one of the most affordable of the leading introductory project management books. The author has considerable expertise as a project management trainer with experience working in demanding project environments around the world.

Robert K. Wysocki January 1, 2004

No matter how perfect a project plan may be on paper, it is worthless if nobody actually uses it. This truism is an everyday reality for too many project managers who muster all their expertise writing the "perfect" plan only to watch the project fall off course as team members jettison the plan to follow their own agenda. This book culls the best practices from CMM (Capability Maturity Model) and PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge, the de-facto standards for process improvement and project management, to show project managers how to ensure that their project plans are not only perfect on paper but also perfect in practice. Professionals learn how to identify the underlying reasons why projects fail to progress as planned and discover the steps to creating a solid process improvement program that leads to project success.

Tom Kendrick January 1, 2004

"People responsible for managing projects are busy. And their jobs are made more difficult by time pressures, project complexity, and a lack of resources. Their ability to execute a project efficiently and well, especially in unexpected or new situations, is compromised. But it needn't be. "The Project Management Tool Kit" presents proven project management techniques in an accessible, easy-to-apply format. Based on the approaches used by successful project managers in many fields, the Tool Kit offers step-by-step methodologies for managing every conceivable project step. Professionals at all levels will get the latest on:

* cost estimating and budgeting

* communications and technology

* goals for individuals and project teams

* negotiation and decision making

* establishing and retaining management support

* implementing change and process improvement

* quality assurance and control * risk assessment and management

* scheduling and time management

* and more -- 100 subject areas in all!

Complete with checklists and other tools for quick implementation, here is a practical and complete guide to mastering any project challenge."

JACK FERRARO April 18, 2012

Great managers are experts at getting bottom-line results, but often do not understand their role in the success or failure of their organization’s projects. They balk at the arcane terminology and are unaware of how to use valuable project management techniques and tools—a knowledge gap that can be a serious career barrier! Functional managers with even basic project management (PM) knowledge are the best people for keeping projects business-focused. This new book demystifies the jargon and processes, encouraging managers to jump into the PM arena and arming them with strategies for increasing the business value created by their company’s projects. Readers will discover: • Advice for switching gears from passive bystander to active owner of projects • Insights into four critical PM skills, including business analysis techniques, work breakdown structures, program sequencing techniques, and risk management methods • Step-by-step guidelines, case studies, and illustrations for mastering these skills. Project Management for Non-Project Managers provides easy-to-read, in-a-nutshell explanations of all the PM basics that managers need to achieve project success.

Gary Chin January 1, 2004

In a fast-paced environment filled with uncertainty, successfully completing projects on time can feel like running an obstacle course. An emphasis on speed often forces project teams to make decisions without crucial data, leading to frequent changes of direction once more information becomes known. If people arent light on their feet, complicated projects can easily get tripped up.Agile Project Management gives readers the strategies they need to take charge of urgent projects that involve unique resources and elements of uncertainty. The book offers an improvement upon classical project management processes by tying project processes more directly to the ever-changing requirements of business objective achieving improved flexibility and response time. Filled with examples showing how to implement agile PM into all project situations, the book demonstrates how to develop an appropriate and supportive infrastructure and environment, and reviews the roles of the project manager, general management, and the project team. Agile Project Management is the ultimate method for achieving superior results in an accelerated and changing environment.

Ginger Levin October 5, 2009

In early 2007, the Project Management Institute (PMI®) piloted the now highly sought after Program Management Professional (PgMP®) credential, reflecting the growing trend for organizations to coordinate the work done on numerous stand-alone projects into a cohesive program-type structure. Written by two successful PgMPs, Implementing Program Management: Templates and Forms Aligned with the Standard for Program Management Second Edition–(2008) is a complete guide that presents a step-by-step methodology, suitable for the novice to the seasoned professional, enabling managers to seamlessly move their programs from theory to practice.

Providing a detailed protocol for managing a program from initiation to closure, this volume parallels PMI’s Standard for Program Management–Second Edition (2008). Filling the void in the program management literature, the book goes beyond the best practices listed in the PMI’s Standard to provide detailed guidance for these practices, enabling program managers in any organization to successfully coordinate any program.

Recognizing that each organization has unique requirements, the templates described in the text can be customized and tailored as required through a CD-ROM that is included with this book. This unique package of ready-to-use documents, tools, forms, templates, and reports empowers program managers to bring their programs to a successful finish and deliver its intended benefits to stakeholders.

More from author

Gary M Nelson February 14, 2016

Finally, she could take it no more. She put down the pencil and grasped the paper with shaking hands. Why did I agree to run this thing? What do I know about this stuff, anyway?

With agonizing slowness, Amanda opened up the paper to once again read those terrible words, the words that she had committed to. The thing she had promised to do.

Yes, no problem, Ms Moldiva. Sure! It’ll be fun!

In large, bold letters at the top of the crinkled sheet of paper were the words:

Wanted: Organizer for Valentine’s Day School Dance.

Amanda’s shuddered. It’s going to be a disaster!

---

Parent/Teacher Note:

Gary M Nelson May 2, 2015

Join the Project Kids in their third big adventure as they come together to unravel the mysteries of Mice, Men…and Marshmallows.

Parent/Teacher Note:

Gary M Nelson March 10, 2014

Gary M Nelson March 29, 2013

10 year old best friends Ben, James, Tim & Tom find the perfect tree in a forest near their school and begin to build the Ultimate Tree House. Things start with a bang, and get even worse when Ben's sister Amanda discovers them working on their secret tree house. Next thing they know, the girls are building their own - in the same tree - and it looks even better than the boy's! How are they doing it? What is their secret weapon? After the accident, everything changes and the boys are forced to team up with the girls - as if that would ever work!

This book introduces basic Project Management concepts to children through an entertaining, funny story and simple lessons taught to one of the children by her father who is (of course) a Project Manager. She applies what she has learned and suddenly the girls are leaping ahead of the boys who had just "started building" - without a plan.

Come join this unlikely band of tree house builders - four girls, four boys - as they end up working together to try and complete the Ultimate Tree House Project!

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