Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches [Paperback]

Thomas J. Shelford (Author), Gregory A. Remillard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321112555 | ISBN-13: 978-0321112552 | Publication Date: November 4, 2002

Web project management is a relatively new and expanding profession. It has developed as people have discovered how different web site development is from traditional software projects. Web project managers are not only found in technology companies or dot coms. As companies of all sizes in all industries rush to integrate the web into their daily business operations, employees are being asked to manage web projects of all shapes and sizes. As veterans of the internet industry, the authors offer detailed solutions to managing web projects. They will present tools and real-world advice on both techniques for success as well as pitfalls to avoid. The numerous examples and case studies are based on their own success at iVillage.com as well as other web sites they have worked on. Rather than presenting a rigid methodology, the authors present a toolbox of tips, tricks, anecdotes, and case studies that will help the reader come up with a Web development methodology that works for him or her.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The process of designing and building today's dynamic Web applications comes with a host of challenges not typically solved by traditional project management methodologies. A wealth of practical resources, Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches is a book of solutions for designing, managing, and delivering virtually any type of Web-based project under even the most challenging of conditions.

Based on solutions implemented from actual, real-world scenarios, this practical book offers a complete road map for navigating every facet of a contemporary Web project. Filled with tips and techniques, it provides practices to implement and pitfalls to avoid to ensure success. Beginning by outlining the responsibilities of the project manager, this complete and comprehensive guide then covers team assembly and communication, project definition, change management, planning strategies, and workflow before moving on to the design, build, and delivery stages. The book's accessible format also provides immediate hands-on solutions for project managers seeking a quick answer to a particular problem.

Issues covered include:

• The Web project manager--definitions and responsibilities
• The project team--assembling and tips for effective collaborative communication
• The project--defining and planning, plus managing change in any type of environment
• The Workflow--processes and analysis
• The design and build phases--managing and quality control
• The delivery of a completed project

This book is packaged with a value-added CD-ROM, which includes complete project plan templates, model Web sites, project checklists, consulting contracts, software vendor reviews, and more. Additional resources and templates are available on the book's accompanying Web site at http://www.realwebprojects.com.

All of this makes Real Web Project Management an essential reference for the working project manager, or for those new to the field. It is the most comprehensive resource available for planning, managing, and executing successful Web-based applications.

0321112555B09172002

About the Author

Thomas J. Shelford is a partner in Project Calibrate™, a consulting group specializing in Web project management training (http://www.projectcalibrate.com). He began his Web-related career in 1996 as the founder of SeaState Internet Solutions, a freelance Web development shop.

Gregory A. Remillard has been a project manager on large-scale Web development projects for five years. He has managed projects for diverse companies such as Gruner & Jahr USA (Parents.com) and UrbanExpress.com (formerly UrbanFetch.com). Greg is a founding partner of Project Calibrate™ (http://www.projectcalibrate.com).

0321112555AB09172002

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (November 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321112555
• ISBN-13: 978-0321112552
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good one, January 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches (Paperback)

I've read a couple of other books on the subject, and though they were all excellent judged on their own merits, Shelford and Remillard's book stands out in at least three ways:

First, the emphasis placed on the practical aspects of web project management is invaluable. They just don't talk about what should be done, but also show how to do it. For instance, one knows that in order to be an effective project manager, s/he has to get along with all the players on the team. That's common sense, but what really helps is tips on how it should be done, as the authors do. In the quality assurance section, the importance of bug tracking is mentioned. Then they go on to talk about how to track the different bugs, the tools to use, information to keep etc.

Second, as someone before me has already mentioned, the case-studies in the book are really helpful. They give insight into how web projects are handled in the real world, ie corporations and smaller companies. If you're going to be working as a web PM, it certainly helps to know about the experiences others have had. In one example, the situation of an indepedent consultant is described - he has to deal with three or four different, non-complying, business units within the same company to simply obtain a copy of the the marketing email distribution list needed for the project. If you find yourself having to deal with problematic clients, you'll have a head start on how to handle the situation. We as readers can benefit from years of acumen developed and distilled by other project managers by simply reading the case-studies.

Thirdly, the templates and other documents provided in the CD are a good starting point for your own projects. You can put them to use immediately with minor modifications. Samples for various mock projects are provided, so you know what kind of information to collect.

All in all, a good book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT! A++!, June 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches (Paperback)

This book is excellent!

I run a web site design, hosting, and web application development company and use this book as a reference tool when questions or situations pop up. It packs great information into each chapter and has real-world case studies at the end of each chapter (that most project managers can relate to).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful, August 2, 2005

By 

SueNeu (Fanwood, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches (Paperback)

I'm working with a design studio that is now offering web services to its clients. This book has been very helpful, giving us a look at web projects and procedures.

It is skewed to larger projects than we will likely be involved in.

The best parts of the book are the descriptions of real projects and real problems.

Humor helps the message get through: that these kinds of projects frequently change, new problems crop up, people don't always react the way you'd expect and that it's all part of the job.