The Project Manager's Desk Reference (Hardcover)

by James P. Lewis (Author) "Until everyone in an organization has a shared understanding of what is meant by projects and project management, misunderstandings, conflicts, and miscommunication are bound to..." (more)
Key Phrases: project scorecard, performance measurement baseline, performance measurement concept, New York, Enterprise Information Insights, Prepare Appetizers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Move step-by-step through proven solutions guaranteed to keep all your projects on track. The Project ManagerAEs Desk Reference, Second Edition, by James P. Lewis, gives you a template for managing projects of any size from start to finish, a 16-step process for planning, monitoring, and controlling any project. As you explore specific situations taken from today's fast-moving business environment, the author's easy-to-understand approach shows you how to confidently put together a project plan using Work Breakdown Structures, PERT, CPM, and Gantt schedules. You learn how to conduct risk analysis, and assemble and manage a problem-solving team to eliminate potential stumbling blocks and complete the project on time and within budget. In the second edition of this hands-on toolbox, you get updated examples, illustrations and figures, checklists for every stage, plus lists of associations and powerful websites.

From the Back Cover
Strategies to keep every project on time, under budget...and problem-free. More than 50 percent of the work in a typical organization is done in a project format. While each of these projects must be managed, too often the employees named to manage them are given little if any training in the skills they will need to successfully complete the project. The Project Manager's Desk Reference, Second Edition, uses results-oriented language and easy-to-understand examples to detail how you can complete any project on time, within budget, and at the desired performance level.

Updated and revised from its best-selling first edition­­which has become one of today's most trusted all-in-one project management resource­­this ready-access toolbox will show you how to: develop project plans using Work Breakdown Structures, PERT, CPM, and Gantt schedules; conduct risk analysis; design a project control system; use earned value analysis to track projects; communicate effectively with all levels of your team; conduct the essential post-project "lessons learned" review. The secrets to successful project management are knowledge, preparation, and an ability to keep the project on track. The Project Manager's Desk Reference arms you with today's most comprehensive and understandable project management resources, providing you the foundation you need to manage any project to its successful completion.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 546 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2 edition (November 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007134750X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071347501
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #568,946 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone, October 26, 2000

By	ART SEDIGHI (Old Bethpage, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book after researching the [project management] topic for months. The book is very easy to read, and gets to the point very quickly. By the third chapter, you have a very good idea of what you are up against. If you are already in the middle of a project, you can use this book as a very good checkpoint. I am novice in the project management role and I found this book to be very handy and resourceful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ideal for those that want to be introduced to Project Manag., September 6, 2002

By	Julio Hirose (Campinas, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews

Project Manager's Desk Reference is a complete, well-written guide about Project Management intended to college students and to any person not familiar with this subject.

The topics covered by this book include Project Planning, Scheduling (PERT), Controlling (Earned Value Analysis), Reporting/Evaluating and Risk Analysis. The book also discusses other subjects that certainly will be faced by the Project Manager, like how to Improve the Communication Skills, how to Solve Problems and Making Decisions.

This book is not intended to experienced managers that need more tools to conduct their projects. These people should look for specific books about the aspect of Project Management that they need to deep into, like Risk Management.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly Written and Easy to Understand, January 30, 2002

By	Brian Davis (Cypress, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This book was a Required Book for a Project Management college course that I took. The book gives a good overview of the basic Project Management techniques that everyone uses, however, it does not get into real detail about some topics. It is good for the beginning Project Manager, or a student, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone studying for their PMP exam. The PMI PMBOK is a better reference for studying for the exam in my opinion.