How to Manage a Great Project

So, you've been asked to manage a project. Not sure where to start? Start here. This is your ultimate one-stop, easy-going and very friendly guide to delivering any project of any size. Even if you're a first time, never-done-it-before, newbie project manager, How to Manage a Great Project will get you from start to finish on budget, on target and on time. In just eight simple steps, you'll learn to: *Get things started: understand the what, why, where and who of your project *Plan for success: co-ordinate what needs doing and who needs to do it *Make it happen: get everything done - in order and on time *Keep on track: monitor your progress to stay in total control *Wind things up: review, report and enjoy the well-earned results How to Manage a Great Project is your roadmap to project perfection - first time, every time. 'This is a really good, practical no nonsense guide to project management. Mike Clayton genuinely wants you to succeed and if you read this book and follow his advice, the chances are you will.' Anne-Marie O'Hara, Head of Projects and Property Planning, National Trust for ScotlandAbout the author Acknowledgements How to manage a great project How managing a great project works Defining what we are talking about The project manager How projects work A guide to How to Manage a Great Project Lessons from the real world Step 1 What do you want? Essential practices of Step 1 Before you start: Step Zero What do you want? How do you want it? How much of it do you want? What does it need to look like? Putting it all together Lessons from the real world Step 2 Does it stack up? Essential practices of Step 2 Balancing pros and cons Documenting the rationale Evaluating the pros Evaluating the cons Weighing the balance Making the decision Lessons from the real world Step 3 Who cares? Essential practices of Step 3 People matter Governance Stakeholders Plan your communication Lessons from the real world Step 4 How will you get what you want? Essential practices of Step 4 The Book of the Plan Determine key points along the way Break down your work into chunks Arrange the chunks into a sequence Schedule the chunks of work Identify what you need to do the job Planning for quality Lessons from the real world Step 5 Who will help? Essential practices of Step 5 Why you need help Planning your support Sourcing your support Managing Leading Lessons from the real world Step 6 What if it goes wrong? Essential practices of Step 6 Things go wrong Prevention is better than cure What could go wrong? How serious is it? What could we do about it? Let's act! Lessons from the real world Step 7 How is it going? Essential practices of Step 7 Sitting on a sofa Monitoring Controlling Reporting Controlling change Leading the project Delivering what you promised Lessons from the real world Step 8 How did it go? Essential practices of Step 8 Handover We can't seem to finish Learning lessons Closing down Saying thank you Project closure memo Lessons from the real world Learn the lingo Good fortune! Glossary Who else needs to manage a great project? Mike can help your team to manage a great project Also by Mike Clayton Index