Modern Project Management
Book

Modern Project Management

Successfully Integrating Project Management Knowledge Areas and Processes

Norman R. Howes
AMACOM, 2001
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Editorial Rating

5

Recommendation

Author Norman R. Howes tackles project management in all its intricate bureaucratic glory, and brings the process up-to-date in what is essentially a book of instructions. Helpful in designing and tracking projects, this clear, crisp manual comes with Modern Project software, the program used to carry out the project management steps delineated in the book. The book, like any owner’s manual, is very list-oriented. Howes does not teach you how to manage a project, either practically or theoretically, as much as he outlines the managerial process. His step-by-step guide focuses on detailed information telling readers how to take advantage of the software as they manage projects. While getAbstract.com recommends this guide specifically to project managers - who should keep it on hand, particularly if they use the related software package or want to learn more about it - the book is also designed to be used in corporate training programs and college classes.

Summary

Project Management Today

Project management requires managers to use a unique group of skills and a much different approach than general management. In today’s e-business world, project management requires technical tools and knowledge that were not a consideration even a decade ago.

As a project manager, you will be primarily concerned with keeping your projects on time and under budget, and with achieving the projects’ predetermined goals. Over the course of a project, you will find yourself balancing theory, practice and psychology while handling the five critical components involved in executing such an undertaking. These components are:

  1. Cost accounting.
  2. Progress measurement.
  3. Variance tracking and change control.
  4. Performance evaluation.
  5. Productivity evaluation.

Project managers can combine proven practices with new, innovative techniques and the attached Project Management software to achieve several key goals including:

  • Plan projects that maximize productivity.
  • Subdivide and quantify the tasks.
  • Create a work breakdown structure (WBS...

About the Author

Norman R. Howes has more than three decades of project management experience, primarily centered around information technology disciplines. He has spearheaded projects for E-Systems, Lockheed, The Institute of Defense Analysis and other organizations.

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