The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy to Read Handbook for Beginners and Pros

The all-inclusive guide to exceptional project management that is trusted by hundreds of thousands of readers—now updated and revised

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy to Read Handbook for Beginners and Pros, 6th Edition is a comprehensive guide to real-world project management methods, tools, and techniques. Practical, easy-to-use, and deeply thorough, this book gives you the answers you need now. You'll find cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of the field's leading experts, delivered in short, lively segments that address common management issues. Brief descriptions of important concepts, tips on real-world applications, and compact case studies illustrate the most sought-after skills and pitfalls you should watch out for. This sixth edition now includes: 

• A brand-new chapter on project quality
• A new chapter on managing media, entertainment, and creative projects
• A new chapter on the project manager's #1 priority: leadership
• A new chapter with the most current practices in Change Management
• Current PMP certification study tips

Readers of The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management also receive access to new video resources available at the author's website.

The book teaches readers how to manage and deliver projects on-time and on-budget by applying the practical strategies and concrete solutions found within. Whether the challenge is finding the right project sponsor, clarifying project objectives, or setting realistic schedules and budget projections, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management shows you what you need to know, the best way to do it, and what to watch out for along the way.

ERIC VERZUH is President of The Versatile Company, which provides project management training to thousands of professionals each year. His clients include major government agencies, large and small companies, and nonprofit organizations in such diverse industries as transportation, aerospace, health care, education, and information technology.

EVerzuh@VersatileCompany.com

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Preface

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Project Management: A Platform for Innovation

Chapter 2: Project Leadership: People Before Process

Chapter 3: Foundation Principles of Project Management

Chapter 4: Agile and Waterfall: Choose a Development Process

Part 2: Defining the Project

Chapter 5: Project Initiation: Turn a Problem or Opportunity into a Business Case

Chapter 6: Engage Your Stakeholders and Win Their Cooperation

Chapter 7: Write the Rules: Manage Expectations and Define Success

Part 3: The Planning Process

Chapter 8: Risk Management: Minimize the Threats to Your Project

Chapter 9: A Work Breakdown Structure Makes a Project Manageable

Chapter 10: Realistic Scheduling

Chapter 11: Manage Agile Development with Scrum

Chapter 12: The Art and Science of Accurate Estimating

Chapter 13: Balance the Trade-Off Between Cost, Schedule, and Scope

Chapter 14: Manage Media and Entertainment Projects: Insights from Creative Projects

Part 4: Controlling the Project

Chapter 15: Build a High-Performance Project Team

Chapter 16: Communicate with Project Stakeholders

Chapter 17: Change Management: Engage Your Stakeholders to Maximize Value

Chapter 18: Control Scope to Deliver Value

Chapter 19: Measure Progress

Chapter 20: Solve Common Project Problems

Part 5: Advancing Your Practice of Project Management

Chapter 21: Enterprise Project Management: Align Projects with Strategy

Chapter 22: Requirements: Describe the Solution Target

Chapter 23: Use the Quality Discipline to Hit the Target

Chapter 24: Pass the PMP Exam

Appendix A: The Detailed Planning Model

Appendix B: Forms Available Online

Notes

Index

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.