Introduction

Writing a comprehensive and reader-friendly textbook on project management for students is no easy feat. As the sole author of such a book, I am proud to have taken on this challenge with the motivation of providing a clear understanding of project management and its importance in today’s organizations. My book is designed to offer students an introduction to the field that is both accessible and thorough.

In today’s rapidly changing world, projects have become an essential part of every organization’s activities. Effective project management can make a significant difference to an organization’s success by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving overall performance. As a result, project management has become a critical skill for managers in all industries.

The book is structured into four parts, covering the most important aspects of project management. Part One (Chapters 1–3) focuses on project start-up and definition. Part Two (Chapters 4–8) covers project leadership, management, and processes. Part Three (Chapters 9–13) is aimed at project techniques and methods, and finally, Part Four (Chapter 14) focuses on project closure, success assessment, and benefits realization. Each part of the book is meant to provide comprehensive insights into the work of the whole project.

This book is primarily intended for students studying project management, but it could also be useful for anyone involved in project management. I believe project managers will find this book as an invaluable reference and guide for project implementation, while it will also help other managers to understand the role and importance of the project for realizing the company’s strategy.

For pedagogical purposes, I’ve included an illustration at the beginning of each chapter that reminds the reader of its place within the book’s structure. This helps readers to understand the overarching framework of the text and to follow a clear path through its contents. In addition, each chapter provides an overview of the content at the beginning and a summary of key takeaways at the end. Throughout the book, I have emphasized the pedagogical approach by presenting complex concepts in a clear and instructive way, using both real and constructed examples to illustrate practical applications of project management tools and techniques. I have also developed exercises for each chapter, including simple questions and comprehensive case studies that can be useful for exam preparation or for handling daily challenges in project work. You find these exercises at www.universitetsforlaget.no/pm.

I hope this book will serve as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of project management and its importance in modern organizations. By mastering the principles and techniques presented in this book, readers can become more effective project managers and make a significant difference to their organization’s success.

The book consists of the following chapters and content:

Chapter 1: This chapter introduces project management, covering the concept of a project and its life cycle. We examine the critical control variables, including cost, time, quality, and scope. The chapter also explores popular project types and roles, pre-study and pre-project content, and different project models, including the Waterfall and Scrum models.

Chapter 2: This chapter covers project initiation and selection, starting with the sources of new projects and aligning them with the organization’s strategy. We discuss project proposals, ranking, and analysis, including the use of the UN sustainable development goals. Developing a business case and a benefits realization plan is also addressed.

Chapter 3: This chapter details with defining the project, starting with clarifying and defining project needs. We discuss technical, functional, and non-functional requirements, user stories, and the use of prototypes and pilots. Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a project mandate is explained. The chapter also delves into prioritizing project goals, such as cost, time, and quality.

Chapter 4: This chapter deals with project leadership and management, with a focus on the project manager. We discuss the situational leadership model. The selection of a project manager, their responsibilities, and effective characteristics are covered, along with common pitfalls and sources of power. We also examine critical success factors, conflict management, and approaches for resolving conflicts.

Chapter 5: This chapter covers organizing the project, including different organizational structures and team composition. We discuss team building, effectiveness, and common pitfalls, along with stakeholder roles such as the project owner and steering committee. The chapter also examines the use of the responsibility matrix for effective task assignments.

Chapter 6: This chapter considers purchases and contracts in project management. We discuss contract strategy, pre-qualification, and the contracting process. Contract structures such as Design and Build, Design, Bid, and Build, and Private-Public Partnership are explained. The use of incentives, target price contracts, and compensation terms are also discussed, along with contract terms and content. The chapter also covers contract follow-up and change orders.

Chapter 7: This chapter covers the daily facets of project work, including planning and organizing project meetings, managing workloads, and effective communication strategies. We discuss the role of a project management office and Agile project management, specifically the Scrum method, MoSCoW prioritization tool, and Burndown chart.

Chapter 8: This chapter encompasses stakeholders and the project environment. We review important stakeholders, environmental factors, and relationship types. The chapter also examines a stakeholder management method and building trust with stakeholders through reliable behavior, good communication, and commitment.

Chapter 9: This chapter covers project planning tools and techniques, including activity planning, CPM and PERT, Gantt charts, and Kanban. We explain the purpose and benefits of project planning and provide an in-depth understanding of the planning process, key milestones, and milestone plans. Additionally, we cover reducing project time through “crashing”.

Chapter 10: This chapter examines project cost estimation and budgeting, including resource and cost estimation, different estimation techniques, cost types, and using a Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS). We also discuss risk reserves, such as contingency and management reserves, to manage risks and prevent cost overruns.

Chapter 11: This chapter covers resource constraint planning and optimization techniques, including increasing labor resources through hiring, cross-training, and outsourcing. We examine different types of constraints and their potential consequences. The chapter also discusses resource smoothing and leveling to optimize resource allocation.

Chapter 12: This chapter focuses on project monitoring and control. It explains the project management loop and the importance of control mechanisms. The chapter also discusses information access, deviation analysis, and correction ac- tions. Moreover, it examines control variables, including cost, time, and quality, and explains how to use the earned value technique for measuring project performance.

Chapter 13: This chapter covers project risk management, starting with explaining key concepts such as risk and uncertainty, types of risks, and how risk develops over time. It discusses the importance of risk management, the roles involved, and effective communication. Additionally, the chapter explores a risk maturity model and a method for identifying, analyzing, and handling risks.

Chapter 14: This chapter looks at project completion, success criteria, and benefits realization. It begins by discussing the reasons for project termination and explores the challenges during project closure. Next, it examines how to measure project success, benefits realization, and the critical factors for successful benefits realization.

Leadership and processes

CHAPTER 1

What is a project?

CHAPTER 2

Project initiation and selection

CHAPTER 3

Defining the project Methods and techniques

CHAPTER 4

Project leadership and the project manager

CHAPTER 5

Project organization

CHAPTER 6

Contract management

CHAPTER 7

Daily project work

CHAPTER 8

The project’s stakeholders and environment

CHAPTER 9

Project planning

CHAPTER 10

Cost estimation and budgeting

CHAPTER 11

Resource constraints planning

CHAPTER 12

Monitoring and controlling

CHAPTER 13

Risk management

CHAPTER 14

Project closure and benefits realization