Incredibly Easy Project Management: A Mildly Heretical Perspective

Book Preface

Project management in two thousand AD is not materially different from two thousand BC. Building the pyramids was no easier than a modem hydro-electric project. Be sure that thc Pharaoh’s project manager had the same organizational and personality problems with his staff and his client as we do today. The philosophical aspects have not changed one iota and are logical and uncomplicated. They can be learned from a book, through journals or in school. What is more difficult to teach and even more difficult to absorb are those aspects of the character of a project manager that are the motivating force that mates the conditions for a successful project.

It takes certain unusual personality traits and workplace experiences to conkont and overcome the problems inevitably encountered in a project management environment. They are usually found where least expected and at every level, in every situation.

The project manager’s perspective must be such that it leads logically and inevitably to the right solutions. This will be dictated, in each case, by that essential, basic core philosophy of the project manager, the desire to do a good job. That philosophy should be expressed as ………

“This is my project and I shall do every proper thing to make it succeed”. Technology, training and experience are important. Nevertheless, good project management first requires common-sense, patience, discretion, self-discipline, the proper attitude …….. and perhaps a thick skin. Some of this book’s topics may seem simplistic. But remember the subtitle; “dl the things you already know but don’t always do’: If I am reminding you of something you already know while revealing its true importance, then I have succeeded. Every projcct manager can benefit from constant self-renunders that these are basic premises that are known, too often ignored but must be followed if success is to be achieved. The presentation is in more or less alphabetical ordm under a few main section headings. Some subjects are included under several sections in varying detail but there are ample cross-references. Anecdotes (maybe more frightening than amusing) to illustrate the text are enclosed in boxes and salutary exhortations and warnings are scattered throughout, also in boxes.

This Second Edition enlarges on several of the subjects, allows for a readership much wider than originally anticipated and contains more illustrative anecdotes.