Jonathan L. Portny, MBA, PMP(r), has more than 15 years of experience in the field of project management and is a certified Project Management Professional. His father, Stanley E. Portny, PMP(r), was an internationally recognized expert in project management and the author of all previous editions of Project Management for Dummies.

Introduction 1
 
About This Book 2
 
Foolish Assumptions 2
 
Icons Used in This Book 3
 
Beyond the Book 4
 
Where to Go from Here 4
 
Part 1: Getting Started With Project Management 7
 
Chapter 1: Project Management: The Key to Achieving Results 9
 
Determining What Makes a Project a Project 10
 
Understanding the three main components that define a project 11
 
Recognizing the diversity of projects 12
 
Describing the four phases of a project life cycle 14
 
Adopting a Principled Approach to Project Management 16
 
Starting with stewardship and leadership 17
 
Continuing with team and stakeholders 18
 
Delivering value and quality 19
 
Handling complexity, opportunities, and threats 20
 
Exhibiting adaptability and resilience 22
 
Thinking holistically and enabling change 23
 
What Happened to Process Groups and Knowledge Areas? 25
 
Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Effective Project Manager? 26
 
Questions 27
 
Answer key 27
 
Relating This Chapter to the PMP Exam and PMBOK 7 28
 
Chapter 2: I'm a Project Manager! Now What? 31
 
Knowing the Project Manager's Role 31
 
Looking at the project manager's tasks 32
 
Staving off excuses for not following a structured project management approach 32
 
Avoiding shortcuts 33
 
Staying aware of other potential challenges 35
 
Aligning with the Four Values that Comprise the Code of Ethics 36
 
The price of greatness is responsibility 36
 
R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to your project 37
 
Maintaining fairness 37
 
Honesty is the best policy 38
 
Relating This Chapter to the PMP Exam and PMBOK 7 39
 
Chapter 3: Beginning the Journey: The Genesis of a Project 41
 
Gathering Ideas for Projects 42
 
Looking at information sources for potential projects 43
 
Proposing a project in a business case 43
 
Developing the Project Charter 45
 
Performing a cost-benefit analysis 46
 
Conducting a feasibility study 48
 
Generating documents during the development of the project charter 49
 
Deciding Which Projects to Move to the Second Phase of Their Life Cycle 50
 
Tailoring Your Delivery Approach 51
 
For the organization 52
 
For the project 53
 
Identifying the Models, Methods, and Artifacts to Use 54
 
Relating This Chapter to the PMP Exam and PMBOK 7 60
 
Chapter 4: Knowing Your Project's Stakeholders: Involving the Right People 63
 
Understanding Your Project's Stakeholders 64
 
Developing a Stakeholder Register 64
 
Starting your stakeholder register 65
 
Ensuring your stakeholder register is complete and up-to-date 70
 
Using a stakeholder register template 71
 
Determining Whether Stakeholders Are Drivers, Supporters, or Observers 73
 
Deciding when to involve your stakeholders 75
 
Using different methods to involve your stakeholders 78
 
Making the most of your stakeholders' involvement 78
 
Displaying Your Stakeholder Register 79
 
Confirming Your Stakeholders' Authority 80
 
Assessing Your Stakeholders' Power and Interest 82
 
Relating This Chapter to the PMP Exam and PMBOK 7 84
 
Chapter 5: Clarifying What You're Trying to Accomplish -- And Why 85
 
Defining Your Project with a Scope Statement 86
 
Looking at the Big Picture: Explaining the Need for Your Project 90
 
Figuring out why you're doing the project 90
 
Drawing the line: Where your

Improve your project management skills and accomplish more in no time at all
 
In these days when projects seem to be bigger and more challenging than ever before, you need to make sure tasks stay on track, meet the budget, and keep everyone in the loop. Enter Project Management For Dummies. This friendly guide starts with the basics of project management and walks you through the different aspects of leading a project to a successful finish. After you've navigated your way through a couple of projects, you'll have the confidence to tackle even bigger (and more important) projects!
 
In addition to explaining how to manage projects in a remote work environment, the book offers advice on identifying the right delivery approach, using social media in project management, and deploying agile project management. You'll also discover:
* What's new in project management tools and platforms so you can choose the best application for your team
* How to perfect your project management business document with an emphasis on strategy and business knowledge
* Details on the shift from process-based approaches to more holistic, principle-based strategies focused on project outcomes
* Examples of how to turn the strategies into smooth-flowing processes
* Best practices and suggestions for dealing with difficult or unexpected situations
 
If you're planning to enroll in a project management course or take the Project Management Professionals Certification exam, Project Management For Dummies is the go-to resource to help you prepare. And if you simply want to improve your outcomes, this handy reference will have you and your team completing project goals like ninjas!