Project Mastery - by Wesley E Donahue

About the Book

Project Mastery: Bridging Processes, People, and Resources is a practical book for those who manage projects.

Book Synopsis

PROJECT MASTERY: Bridging Processes, People, and Resources is a comprehensive practical guide designed for those new to the field, providing them with a holistic understanding of the key elements necessary for project success. This audience includes frontline supervisors, managers, engineers, technical specialists, team members, and project stakeholders who manage or are involved with managing workplace projects. The twelve-chapter guidebook is segmented into three parts.

PART I: Processes focuses on the technical side of the traditional project management life cycle and covers the tools and techniques most widely used to manage workplace projects.

PART II: People focuses on the leadership, management, and human side of project management.

PART III: Resources focuses on the business management side of project management, including controlling resources such as time, money, and risk.

The book begins by establishing a solid foundation in project management principles, exploring the importance of effective planning, execution, and monitoring. It then goes beyond the traditional focus on processes, emphasizing the critical role of people and resources in achieving project goals. By bridging these three fundamental components-processes, people, and resources-the book presents a balanced and integrated approach to project mastery.

Readers will discover practical techniques for optimizing project workflows, enhancing team collaboration, and managing resources efficiently. The author draws on real-world examples, case scenarios, and learning activities to illustrate the application of various project management methodologies, ensuring that readers can relate and apply the concepts to their own professional situations.

Structured Learning

All our books and workbooks align with the Centrestar research-based Competency Model. The model, which is rooted in work by the U.S. Department of Labor and others, gives you a framework for structured learning by helping you identify and develop specific competencies.

Competencies are sets of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that are observable and measurable. Our model has 35 competency dimensions associated with successful performance in leadership and professional roles. Competencies are clustered into five domains that may overlap.

This PROJECT MASTERY- Bridging Processes, People, and Resources guidebook focuses primarily on all the competency areas associated with the Resource Management competency cluster or domain. For more information or visit: www.centrestar.com

Review Quotes

I didn't know what a work breakdown structure was before studying these materials. Now I don't know how any project manager can develop a scope statement without preparing one. We can directly apply the tools we learned on our projects.

Doing the work might be 90 percent of the job, but failing to plan can tank even a brilliant project. After completing this book, I was able to complete projects in less time and with less stress.

I'm six years into my career and this is the first time I have been exposed to simple time-management techniques. Some of the areas like SMART goals were a new concept. I wish I had learned these a long time ago. I plan to use the tools immediately.

I thought I knew the fundamentals for identifying risks and reviewing costs and budgets, but I sure learned a lot more. The items covered gave me a new appreciation for our purchasing and accounting folks.

The human resources cases pointed out what a project manager should and shouldn't do when faced with the multitude of everyday situations and stressed that ignorance of law is not an excuse if litigation takes place.