Project Management, Step by Step for 2027

Plan, schedule, control and close a project of almost any size with standard methods, a spreadsheet and a whiteboard, with no qualification or specialist software needed.

Who it's for

Managers, team leaders, consultants and anyone who has been handed a project and wants to run it properly. Starting a new project? Read in order and build your documents as you go. Already in the middle of one? Go straight to the chapter you need.

What you'll learn

• Map any project onto five phases and choose a predictive, agile or hybrid approach, with the process groups PMI has long used and PRINCE2 set out at a glance
• Write a business case and a one-page charter, using the iron triangle (usually credited to Martin Barnes) with quality at the centre
• Define scope with a scope statement and a work breakdown structure that passes the 100% rule
• Find the critical path, the method developed by James Kelley and Morgan Walker, and present a Gantt chart with milestones
• Estimate with three-point estimates and PERT, and turn them into a time-phased cost baseline
• Set up the project organisation, agree responsibilities with a RACI chart and level the workload
• Track progress with earned value (SPI and CPI), objective RAG rules and a RAID log, then manage quality, close the project and capture lessons

What's inside

• 65 pages, 9 chapters
• Each chapter gives you key concepts, a step-by-step method, an illustrative example from a fictional UK organisation, a ready-to-use tool, common mistakes, a recap of the key steps and a short exercise to try this week
• Worked examples from four fictional UK organisations, from a builder to an events company
• Tools in every chapter, including the delivery approach selector, project charter template, WBS template, estimating sheet, RACI chart, earned value tracker, RAID log, communication plan matrix and closure checklist
• A 30-60-90 day action plan with a start-up checklist for your next project, plus a glossary
• PDF in A4 format — read on screen or print
• Instant download after purchase

Contents

1. Understanding the Project Lifecycle
2. Starting Right: Business Case and Charter
3. Defining Scope with a Work Breakdown Structure
4. Building a Realistic Schedule
5. Estimating Time and Cost
6. Organising People and Responsibilities
7. Monitoring Progress Against the Baseline
8. Managing Quality and Communication
9. Closing the Project and Capturing Lessons

Part of The Business Library

This title is one of the 55 ebooks in The Business Library, available together for £109 (worth £1,437 if bought separately: the total of the individual prices of the included titles in our store). It is also included in The Ultimate Business Bundle, which adds 8 checklists and toolkits and 10 workbooks — all 73 products for £147.