Effective Project Management Guidance and Checklists for Engineering and Construction

A practical and accessible guide to managing a successful project 

Effective Project Management is based around an activities and action check list approach to project management. It provides a guide to the basic principles and the disciplines that managers need to master in order to be successful. The author’s check lists approach (based on his years of practical experience on projects) ensure that project managers are following valid processes, helping them to be innovative in their approach to developing plans and resolving problems. In addition, the author’s check list pick and mix format is designed to be flexible in order to meet the individual needs of the reader.

Effective Project Management also contains some information on the theories underpinning project management. Knowledge of the theory helps in the understanding of how project management works in practice. In addition to the book’s check lists of what activities need to be performed, the author offers suggestions on how tasks could be carried out.

This important resource:

• Covers a wide range of project management topics including the project management process, programme and portfolio management, initiating and contracting a project, personal skills and more
• Offers a highly accessible guide to the author’s verified check list approach
• Presents flexible guidelines applicable for a wide range projects
• Includes guidance for project managers at all levels of experience

Written for project managers working on engineering or construction projects, Effective Project Management reviews all aspects of a project from initiation and execution to project completion together with the specialist topics and personal skills needed to manage projects effectively.

GARTH G.F. WARD manages the project management consultancy and training business Ritchie Ward Associates. For sixteen years he lectured at Cranfield School of Management and for ten years was Director of the Masters Course in Project Management. In addition, Garth has over twenty years of experience as a project manager in both client and contracting organizations, including Shell-Mex and BP, Bechtel, Kellogg and Chemico.

Preface xix

Acknowledgements xxi

Introduction 1

Part I Projects and Their Management 5

Section A Project Characteristics and Phases 6

Section B Project Management Characteristics 14

Section C Execution Planning Influences 26

Section D The ProjectManagement Role 43

Section E The Manager of Projects 52

Section F The Owner and Client 59

Section G Achieving Success 63

Part II Programme Management 77

Section A Programme Management –What’s in A Name? 78

Section B Business Change Programmes 82

Section C Management of Portfolios 86

Part III Feasibility and Contracting 89

Section A Feasibility Studies 90

Section B Contracting Strategy Considerations 96

Section C Issuing an Enquiry 103

Section D To Tender or Not to Tender 109

Section E Tendering and Proposal Phase 115

Section F Contracts 131

Part IV Project Execution 139

Section A Project Launch 140

Section B Establishing An Office 150

Section C Getting Organized 152

Section D Mobilization 159

Section E Client Relations 161

Section F Scope 163

Section G Estimates and Budget 166

Section H Accounting 170

Section J Planning and Scheduling 173

Section K Project Controls 176

Section L Variations/Changes/Claims 181

Section M Reporting 188

Section N ProjectMeetings 193

Section O Design 195

Section P Procurement 200

Section Q Installation and Construction 205

Section R Subcontracting 215

Section S Commissioning and Setting ToWork 219

Section T Contract Completion - Close Out 222

Section U Post Project Activities 227

Part V Specialist Topics 233

Section A Completed and InspectedWork 234

Section B Coordination Procedure 238

Section C Cultural Issues 243

Section D Documentation 247

Section E Estimating and Contingency 250

Section F Filing and Archiving 261

Section G Financial Appraisal 270

Section H Incoterms® 280

Section J Joint Associations 283

Section K Performance Appraisals 292

Section L Performance Measurement and Earned Value 295

Section M Risk and Risk List 303

Section N ‘S‘ Curves 315

Section O Site Checks 323

Section P Surety Bonds 326

Section Q Selecting and Building the Team 329

Section R Team Roles 337

Section S Value Management/Engineering 343

Part VI Skills Check Lists 349

Section A Communications 350

Section B Leadership and Motivation 362

Section C Managing and Conducting Meetings 373

Section D Negotiation 381

Section F Politics in Projects 399

Section G Presentation Skills 406

Section H Prioritising Techniques 418

Section J Problem-solving Process 422

Section K Problem-solving Techniques 427

Section L Report Writing 433

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