IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish [Paperback]

Joseph Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0072223499 | ISBN-13: 978-0072223491 | Edition: 1

**CompTIA reviewed and approved, provides complete coverage of 2002 IT Project+ Certification exam objectives** Complete IT projects on time and within budget using the expert advice and valuable insight contained in this book. Find out how to best use your skills to keep your team motivated and address challenges--including changing business needs, budget restrictions, technical barriers, and even office politics. Contains handy worksheets and project files on the CD-ROM to help you practice what you’ve just learned.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While this title prepares readers for the CompTIA IT Project+ exam, it will assist anyone thrust into an IT project management role. It highlights the unique challenges of technology projects, shows how to define clearly a project's parameters and goals, and explains how smaller steps fit into the overall objective. Quizzes and exercises following each chapter help prepare readers for the exam and allow them to practice thinking about technology projects. The accompanying CD-ROM includes a trial version of Microsoft Project 2000. Appropriate for larger public libraries.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

CompTIA reviewed and approved, provides complete coverage of 2002 IT Project+ Certification objectives

Expert advice to help you complete IT projects on time and within budget

Learn how to effectively manage and complete an IT project using the valuable insight contained in this book. This expert resource provides you with a precise roadmap for keeping your IT projects on track--through every phase from inception to completion--and outlines critical strategies for finishing on time and within budget. You'll find out how to use your skills to keep your team motivated and learn to address challenges along the way--including changing business needs, budget restrictions, technical barriers, and even office politics. Know how to put together a plan to meet your IT project goals--from establishing a vision to communicating with management and tracking progress. Use the worksheets and project files on the CD-ROM to complete chapter exercises, and then confirm what you've learned with end-of-chapter quizzes. And, a simulated exam will help you prepare for CompTIA's career-advancing IT Project+ certification. Written by an experienced IT consultant and trainer, and filled with interviews with leading IT project managers explaining how they get their jobs done, this authoritative guide shows you what you need to steer an IT project to successful completion.

• Define a project goal and pinpoint a date for completion
• Establish a priority list and obtain budget dollars
• Work with management and define management's role
• Determine project expenses--including estimating required hours
• Create realistic timetables and establish inter-departmental communication channels
• Organize a project team--assess internal skills as well as utilize external resources
• Delegate responsibilities and manage project schedules
• Resolve disagreements--as well as address delays and budget increases
• Track progress and implement quality testing
• Maintain leadership and keep team focused on success

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (March 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072223499
• ISBN-13: 978-0072223491
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,231,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Phillips is the Director of Education for Project Seminars, Inc. and the owner of Instructing.com. He teaches project management, business analysis, and goal setting for organizations around the world. He has managed and consulted on projects for the technical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and architectural disciplines, among others.

Mr. Phillips has taught for Columbia College, University of Chicago, and Ball State University, among others. He is a Certified Technical Trainer, Project Management Professional, and has several other industry certifications. Phillips offers personal and corporate coaching, goal setting workshops, and often speaks on The Lifelong Project for PMI chapters. Phillips has contributed as an author or editor to more than 35 books on technology, careers, and project management.

Phillips is a member of the Project Management Institute, the International Institute of Business Analysis, and the American Society for Training and Development and is active in local chapters. He has spoken on project management, project management certifications, and project methodologies at numerous trade shows, PMI chapter meetings, and employee conferences in the United States and in Europe. When not writing, teaching, or consulting, Phillips can be found behind a camera or training for his next marathon. You can contact Phillips through www.lifelongproject.com or www.instructing.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for IT Managers, April 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish (Paperback)

Have you ever picked up a book which had nothing to do with your profession just to acquire knowledge about another field? Well, I did. I am an engineer with management experience, none of which applies to IT. I was first intrigued by Joe's knowledge of general management tools that apply to all types of managers (i.e. research, defining goals, budgets, etc.). Secondly, his book was the most enjoyable technical book that I have read. He brings life to his book with his subtle sarcasms accompanied by his technical expertise. I felt like I was sitting at his house, smoking a cigar, sipping on some brandy while he was explaining the intricacies of project management. (This is a big PLUS)
After reading his book, I feel that I not only have a greater knowledge of the IT profession and their environment, but I can also apply his reccommended management tools in my everyday management responsibilities.
I feel that Joe's book is a MUST READ not only for IT Managers specifically, but for all managers in general!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid treatment of the subject matter..., August 22, 2004

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish, Second Edition (Certification Press) (Paperback)

Have you ever wondered what it is project managers do while you're off cranking out code and fixing bugs? If so, you can get a really thorough coverage of the art and science of project management in the book IT Project Management - On Track from Start to Finish (2nd edition) by Joseph Phillips (McGraw-Hill/Osborne).

Chapter breakout: Initiating the Project; Planning the Project; Working with Management; Creating the Budget; Creating a Work Breakdown Structure; Organizing a Project Team; Building the Project Plan; Implementing the Project Plan; Revising the Project Plan; Enforcing Quality; Managing Teams; Completing the Project; IT Project+ Exam Objectives; Critical Exam Information; Working as an Independent Contractor; About the CD; Glossary; Index

This book actually serves a couple of purposes. For the beginning or intermediate project manager, this book serves as a guide to the entire project planning process. I know if I were placed in the role of a project planner (of which I have little experience), I would need a book exactly like this to guide me through the process. The other function of the book is to help the person who is planning for the IT Project+ certification exam. While I have no desire to go after that certification, I think I'd place this book on my study list if I were pursuing it.

Along with the solid content in each chapter, there are some features at the end that are interesting. One is a feature called "From The Field", which is an interview with a real project manager answering questions related to the content covered in that chapter. That's a nice move to add some practicality to the material. There is also a chapter quiz and exercises at the end so you can bridge the gap from theoretical to practical.

Overall, a good treatment of the subject matter, and worth getting if this is an interest of yours.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Certification Aid the was Hard to Put Down, October 12, 2002

By 

Dave Thompson (Peru, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish (Paperback)

I am working toward upgrading my Novell CNE5 to Master CNE6, and the Comptia IT Project+ is a new optional requirement. In looking on Amazon and heading right to the Sybex book on the subject, the negative reviews overwhelmed me. Although, Sybex has never failed me, I looked further and came across Mr. Phillips's book. ...,
To my pleasant surprise, it is one of the best certification prep books that I have ever read. I found myself staying up late and getting up early just to read another chapter. It is interesting reading and Mr. Phillips has a pleasant conversational style with humor interjected throughout that made this a great read. The CD with the book has 4 - 60 question simulation tests that align well with the Comptia Objectives and a demo copy of Microsoft's Project helps the reader with the exercises, allowing actual hands-on simulations with the provided exercises.
Being a person who likes to be prepared for any certification test... that I take, I also picked up the Sybex book and am about halfway through. I have to agree with one of the Sybex reviewers that said to buy anything else, as it would have to be better. Well, "IT Project Management - On Track from Start to Finish" is not a book to "just settle" on, it is a winner and well worth the [money].
I am very confident that I will have no trouble with the test later this month.