The Essentials of Project Management is designed specifically for college students enrolled in a business program including business accounting, administration, supply chain and human resources. It describes the project management process and the role of the project manager in implementing such a process. The book is designed to help students build understanding of the importance and applications of project management.

This textbook is an adaptation of other open educational resources (OER), but specifically designed for students at an introductory level of project management (PM). The purpose of this textbook is to provide a free resource that is dedicated to college’s students and as a gateway to understanding PM principals. It consists of the text body which is structured into fourteen chapters to be delivered over a fourteen-week semester, where each chapter discusses the concept of one topic related to PM. 

Contents Page:

Acknowledgements

About This Book

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Project Management

1.1. Chapter Introduction

1.2. Project Management (PM) Definition

1.3. Types of Projects

1.4. Aspects of Project Management

1.5. Life Cycle

1.6. Business Case

1.7. Chapter Questions

Chapter 2 - PM and Organization

2.1. Chapter Introduction

2.2. Structures

2.3. Culture

2.4. Strategy and Effective PM

2.5. Project Selection

2.6. Business Case

2.7. Chapter Questions

Chapter 3 - Process of PM

3.1. Chapter Introduction

3.2. Initiation

3.3. Planning

3.4. Execution

3.5. Monitoring

3.6. Closure

3.7. Business Case

3.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 4 - Project Initiation

4.1. Chapter Introduction

4.2. Consideration

4.3. Weighted Decision Matrix

4.4. Project Charter

4.5. Project Scope

4.6. Managing the Scope

4.7. Business Case

4.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 5 - Project Scheduling

5.1. Chapter Introduction

5.2. Scheduling Terms

5.3. Defining Activities

5.4. Work Breakdown Structures

5.5. Time Estimation

5.6. Managing the Schedule

5.7. Business Case

5.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 6 - Project Budgeting

6.1. Chapter Introduction

6.2. Resource Estimation

6.3. Cost Estimation

6.4. Understanding Budget

6.5. Contingencies

6.6. Managing Budget

6.7. Business Case

6.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 7 - Project Procurement

7.1. Chapter Introduction

7.2. Procurement Management

7.3. Procurement Role in Supply Chain Management

7.4. Make-or-Buy Analysis

7.5. Procurement Process

7.6. Request for Proposal and Contracts

7.7. Business Case

7.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 8 - Project Communication

8.1. Chapter Introduction

8.2. Role of Communication in PM

8.3. Types of Communication

8.4. Communication and Project Manager

8.5. Virtual PM

8.6. Business Case

8.7. Chapter Questions

Chapter 9 - Risk Management

9.1. Chapter Introduction

9.2. Risk Management and Project Success

9.3. Risk Management Process

9.4. Contingency Planning

9.5. Risks in Project Phases

9.6. Ethics and Risk Management

9.7. Business Case

9.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 10 - Project Quality and Control

10.1. Chapter Introduction

10.2. Quality in PM

10.3. Quality Planning

10.4. Monitoring for Active Control

10.5. Earned Value Analysis

10.6. Change Control

10.7. Business Case

10.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 11 - Project Closure

11.1. Chapter Introduction

11.2. Reasons for Closing Projects

11.3. Contract Closing

11.4. Releasing the Resources

11.5. Lesson Learned

11.6. Business Case

11.7. Chapter Questions

Chapter 12 - Project Manager

12.1. Chapter Introduction

12.2. Roles of Project Manager

12.3. Project Manager Characteristics

12.4. Managing the Team

12.5. Business Case

12.6. Chapter Questions

Chapter 13 - Project Team

13.1. Chapter Introduction

13.2. Successful Team

13.3. Developing Team

13.4. Team Communication

13.5. Team Motivation

13.6. Diversity and Leadership

13.7. Business Case

13.8. Chapter Questions

Chapter 14 - Agile PM

14.1. Chapter Introduction

14.2. Definition

14.3. Scope in Agile

14.4. Agile Procurement

14.5. Agile Teams

14.6. Estimating Resources

14.7. Business Case

14.8. Chapter Questions

Ancillary Resources

Versioning History

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This freely available project management eBook is the start of your journey in the field of complex project management methodologies, introducing you to some of the core methods, processes and tools as recognised by the project management discipline. This eBook lays out methodologies such as XP, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Six Sigma, PRINCE2, Waterfall, PRiSM, Soft Systems Methodology as well as introducing Project Design as a method so you can leverage the right project management approach. 

This eBook is one of four in a series of manuals in the field of project management [by James Cook University]. This eBook will be of value to students, practitioners, and businesses in Australia and overseas seeking professional development in the field of project management methodologies.  

Summary of Contents Page:

Preface

Acknowledgement of Country

About the authors

• 1. Project management methodologies: overview and definitions

• 2. The uncertainty methodologies

• 3. The process-based methodologies

• 4. The traditional, sequential methodologies

• 5. The Agile family: Group I

• 6. The Agile family: Group II

• 7. A broader picture: other methodologies

• 8. Soft systems methodology

• 9. Project design management as a methodology

• 10. Selecting the right project management methodology: Is there such a thing?

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Students, practitioners, and businesses will all benefit from this free eBook, which focuses on project governance and asset management. We are breaking new ground by establishing the value proposition associated with the integration of both AM and Governance. Both areas, in our opinion, are inextricably connected in project management. In this eBook, which we have written as a manual, the ideas of assets and governance are brought together, and an agile governance framework is introduced. We hope to examine how these ideas may be used in project management in order to provide you with beneficial methodologies and approaches. 

This eBook is one of four in a series of manuals in the field of project management [by James Cook University]. The book will be of value to both students and practitioners in Australia and overseas seeking professional development in the field of project management. 

Summary of Contents Page:

Preface

Acknowledgment of Country

About the Authors

Acknowledgement of Contributions

Part 1. Asset Management

• Module 1. Definitions and importance of asset management and project governance

• Module 2. Asset management fundamentals

• Module 3. Asset management standards and models

• Module 4. Asset management: An Australian defence perspective

Part 2. Project Governance

• Module 5. What project governance comprises

• Module 6. Core project governance principles

• Module 7. Governance models and frameworks

• Module 8. Public governance in practice: A developing economy case study

• Module 9. Agile project governance

Part 3. Integrating Asset Management & Project Governance

• Module 10. Linking asset management, governance and projects

Glossary and Acronyms

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This book covers the basics of project management. This includes the process of initiation, planning, execution, control, and closeout that all projects share.

The primary purpose of this text is to provide an open source textbook that covers most project management courses. The material in the textbook was obtained from a variety of sources. All the sources are found in the reference section at the end of each chapter. I expect, with time, the book will grow with more information and more examples. 

Contents page (main):

Chapter 1: Project Management Overview

Chapter 2: The Project Life Cycle (Phases)

Chapter 3: Framework for Project Management

Chapter 4: Organizational Structure and Project Management

Chapter 5: Stakeholder Management

Chapter 6: Project Initiation

Chapter 7: Overview of Project Planning

Chapter 8: Scope Planning

Chapter 9: Project Schedule Planning

Chapter 10: Resource Planning

Chapter 11: Budget Planning

Chapter 12: Quality Planning

Chapter 13: Risk Management Planning

Chapter 14: Procurement Planning and Management

Chapter 15: Communication Planning

Chapter 16: Working with Individuals and Teams

Chapter 17: Project Implementation Overview

Chapter 18: Project Completion

Chapter 19 Celebrate!

Chapter 20: Reflections and Employability Skills

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The world has become more complicated with the introduction and development of new technologies and methods, and novel risks such as Covid-19 pandemic. Competition has been tougher than it used to be. Organizations strive to keep up with the changes in the internal and external environment. In the light of unprecedented changes, project managers must be prepared in response to the demands from their organizations and key stakeholders like clients, customers and government agencies. This book covers the fundamentals of project management, and aims to guide undergraduate and graduate students to acquire the building blocks of project management. This book also includes Microsoft Project tutorials for project scope, schedule, resources, and cost, and monitoring and controlling.

Summary of Contents Page:

Preface and Acknowledgments

Interest/Adoption Form and Feedback/Report Form

Peer Reviewer Acknowledgements

• Ch. 1. Introduction to Project Management

• Ch. 2. Strategy, Objectives, and Project Selection

• Ch. 3. Project Initiation

• Ch. 4. Project Planning and the Project Scope

• Ch. 5. Stakeholder Management

• Ch. 6. Communication Management, Leadership, and Project Team Management

• Ch. 7. Scheduling

• Ch. 8. Resource Management

• Ch. 9. Budget and Procurement

• Ch. 10. Project Risks

• Ch. 11. Monitoring and Controlling

• Ch. 12. Agile (Adaptive) Project Management

• Ch. 13. Closing the Project

About the Author

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Project management is becoming a core competence and not just about managing processes to ensure that the strategic goals of a business are delivered on time, within budget and specification. These days, project management is more about managing strategic goals while adapting to change and responding to ongoing disruptions. The pandemic, rapid urbanisation, digital transformation and environmental challenges are only some of the types of disruption faced by contemporary businesses. It is up to the project manager to ensure that the project management processes, as well as the projects and/or services themselves, are part of the readjustment required for business to survive these new challenges.  This freely available ebook introduces some of the core values, concepts and tools as recognised by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This book will be of value to both students and practitioners in Australia and overseas seeking professional development in the field of project management.

This eBook is one of four in a series of manuals in the field of project management [by James Cook University].  

Summary of Contents Page:

Preface

Acknowledgement of Country

• Module 1 - Project Management – Briefing

• Module 2- Project Life Cycle and Project Organisational Strategy

• Module 3- Project Stakeholders

• Module 4 -Developing the Project Schedule scoping the project for success - Agreeing the expectations

• Module 5 -Resource and Budget Planning

• Module 6 - Managing Risk – From Concept to Outcome

• Module 7 -Building Quality – through Commitment & Involvement, Leadership. the Project Team, and the Project Manager

• Module 8 - Making Procurement Work

• Module 9 – Communication and Reporting Performance – Closing Out the Project

• Module 10 – Consolidation– Project Celebration

References

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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. For questions about this textbook please contact textbookuse@umn.edu 

Summary of Contents Page:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Project Management

Chapter 2: Project Profiling

Chapter 3: Project Phases and Organization

Chapter 4: Understanding and Meeting Client Expectations

Chapter 5: Working with People on Projects

Chapter 6: Communication Technologies

Chapter 7: Starting a Project

Chapter 8: Project Time Management

Chapter 9: Estimating and Managing Costs

Chapter 10: Managing Project Quality

Chapter 11: Managing Project Risk

Chapter 12: Project Procurement and Closure 

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Disruption is the new normal. Succeeding in such turbulent times means organizations cannot afford to waste precious resources on failed projects. This has led to a recognition that the tools, techniques and processes associated with project management can help organizations be successful.

Project management professionals need an agile mindset to deliver value to an organization. Jim Highsmith defined organizational agility as “the ability to adapt and respond to change.” Highsmith also noted that agile organizations “view change as an opportunity, not a threat.” This text will introduce students to the predictive (also known as waterfall) approach and the adaptive delivery approach since both frameworks are used in organizations pursuing agility.

The primary purpose of this text is to provide professors and students with an open-source textbook that can be used in introductory project management courses. The objective is to develop a concise, widely applicable open-source textbook that can be used in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. For this reason, the term “organization” is used instead of “business” and “corporation.”  In addition, the author has intentionally left out examples from fields of practice, such as business, engineering, and information technology, in order to ensure this text has universal applicability. The intention is to provide an overview of the fundamentals that will allow students and instructors to work with their own program-specific case studies, exercises, and assessments to fulfill the appropriate learning objectives. 

The material in the text was obtained from a variety of sources. Sources are found in the reference section at the end of each chapter as well as in the Acknowledgement section. 

Contents Page:

Acknowledgements

Overview and Preface

1. Introduction

2. Project Selection

3. Project Structures and Organizational Culture

4. Project Initiation

5. Project Planning

6. Project Execution

7. Monitoring and Controlling

8. Project Closure

9. Appendix

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This freely available eBook provides a comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of project quality management and risk management. It makes breakthroughs in project quality by combining risk project management with quality management processes. 

This eBook is one of four in a series of manuals in the field of project management [by James Cook University]. It provides a short summary of current best practices in project risk management while introducing the connection and relevance of quality project management, so that practitioners, students and those responsible for managing risk and quality in projects may do so successfully.  

Summary of Contents Page:

Acknowledgement of Country

Preface

About the Authors

Acknowledgement of Contributions

• Module 1. Introduction to risk assessment and quality project management

• Module 2. Project risk management: stakeholders’ risks and the project manager’s role

• Module 3. Risk management process by life cycle phase

• Module 4. Mitigation and contingency risk plan

• Module 5. Risk and Agile project management

• Module 6. Quality management and it's key concepts

• Module 7. Quality planning: tools and techniques

• Module 8. Quality assurance

• Module 9. Quality control

• Module 10. Why risk and quality management are so important in project management

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