The bestselling "bible" of project managementIn today's time-crunched, cost-conscious global business environment, tight project deadlines and stringent expectations are the norm. Now with 25 percent new and updated content, Project Management For Dummies introduces you to the principles of successful project management and shows you how to motivate any team to gain maximum productivity.You'll learn how to organize, estimate, and schedule projects efficiently and effectively. You'll also discover how to manage deliverables, issue changes, assess risks, maintain communications, and live up to expectations by making the most of the latest technology and software--and by avoiding common problems that can trip up even the best project managers.* The latest information on measuring project management ROI and value to the organization (and customers)* Managing Continuous Process Improvement* Examples of formats used for different aspects of project management* Managing distressed projects and managing multiple team projects* Hierarchical decomposition and how it can dramatically improve the effectiveness of project planning and control* The latest trend of embracing the use of social media to drive efficiency and improve socialization* New information on managing and resolving conflicts that occur during a project* Explanations of concepts tested in the PMP® certification exam with study tips and practices to help you passProject Management For Dummies gives professionals like you everything you need to be successful project managers.(PMI, CAPM, PMP, and Project Management Professional are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Project Management 7Chapter 1: Project Management: The Key to Achieving Results9Chapter 2: Knowing Your Project's Audience: Involving theRight People 29Chapter 3: Clarifying What You're Trying to Accomplish-- And Why 51Chapter 4: Developing Your Game Plan: Getting from Here to There77Part II: Planning Time: DeterminingWhen and How Much 105Chapter 5: You Want This Project Done When? 107Chapter 6: Establishing Whom You Need, How Much, and When143Chapter 7: Planning for Other Resources and Developing theBudget 165Chapter 8: Venturing into the Unknown: Dealing with Risk 177Part III: Group Work: Putting Your Team Together 197Chapter 9: Aligning the Key Players for Your Project 199Chapter 10: Defi ning Team Members' Roles andResponsibilities 213Chapter 11: Starting Your Project Team Off on the Right Foot235Part IV: Steering the Ship: Managing Your Project to Success255Chapter 12: Tracking Progress and Maintaining Control 257Chapter 13: Keeping Everyone Informed 281Chapter 14: Encouraging Peak Performance by Providing EffectiveLeadership 301Chapter 15: Bringing Your Project to Closure 315Part V: Taking Your Project Management to the Next Level327Chapter 16: Using Technology to Enhance Project Planning andManagement 329Chapter 17: Monitoring Project Performance with Earned ValueManagement 343Part VI: The Part of Tens 359Chapter 18: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself as You Plan YourProject 361Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Being a Better Project Manager 365Appendix: Combining the Techniques intoSmooth-Flowing Processes 369Index 373