Managing Multiple Projects
Authors: Michael S. Dobson, Deborah Singer Dobson
Credit: 1 CEUs
Testing Format: multiple choice
Your Price: $159.00
ISBN: 9780761214939
Format: Spiral/Comb/Coil Binding
Overview
Selected Learning Objectives
Participants will learn how to:
-Project Life Cycle Issues in Programs
-Leverage resources
-Use advanced scheduling techniques for managing multiple projects
-Monitor and control risks
-Complete estimates and manage projects under budget
Summary
Let’s face it — who among us has only a single project? Multiple projects are the norm, not the exception, and there are very good reasons why this is so. A lot of projects simply aren’t big enough to justify the investment of a full-time project manager: having only one is impractical. Depending on the availability of resources, a multiple project environment can accomplish substantial work while lowering the overhead burden of project management by consolidating processes.
In this book, you will learn how to recognize the characteristics and to manage effectively in each of these situations, how to plan and organize your work, how to influence other people who may not report to you in an official supervisory capacity, and how to get results.
Testing Format
This course contains one multiple choice test valued at 1 CEU (continuing education unit).
Table of Contents
Contents
About This Course
How to Take This Course
Pre-Test
1 The Challenges of Multiple Project
Management
Learning Objectives
Introduction to Managing Multiple Projects
Projects + Operations = Work
Characteristics of Your Multiple Project Environment
Challenges in Your Multiple Project Environment
Managing Programs and Portfolios
Difference Between Programs and Portfolios
Portfolio Management
Program Management
Operational Work and Time Management
Recap
Review Questions
2 Applying Single Project Management in a
Multiple Project Environment
Learning Objectives
Introduction to Project Management
The Project Environment
The Project Life Cycle
Project Initiation
From Problem to Project
The Triple Constraints
User Needs and Requirements
Project Charter
Recap
Review Questions
3 Project Life Cycle Issues in Programs 37
Learning Objectives
The Multiple Project Life Cycle
Common Issues Managing a Program of Independent Projects
Challenges in Managing a Program of Independent Projects
Opportunities in Managing a Program of Independent Projects
Common Issues Managing a Program of Interdependent Projects
(Very Large Project)
Skill Set of Project Managers
Analyze Interdependent Failures
Manage Tradeoffs
Recap
Review Questions
4 The Tools of Project Planning 49
Learning Objectives
From Initiating to Planning
Statement of Work
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
WBS Dictionary
Using a Work Breakdown Structure in Managing Multiple Projects
Recap
Review Questions
5 Project Scheduling 63
Learning Objectives
Schedule Development
Network Diagram
Forward and Backward Pass
Critical Path and Float
Gantt Chart
Recap
Review Questions
6 Resource Loading and Leveling for Single 73
and Multiple Projects
Learning Objectives
Approaches to Scheduling Multiple Projects
Resourcing the Project Plan
Resource Loading
Resource Leveling
Leveling the Schedule
Leveling Resources
Compressing Schedule
Resource Scheduling
Resourcing Multiple Projects
Recap
Review Questions
7 Advanced Scheduling Techniques for 87
Multiple Projects
Learning Objectives
Jigsaw Puzzles, Least Resources, and the Critical Chain
Priority-Setting Strategies for Managing Multiple Projects
Least-Resource Scheduling
Lay Out Time-Fixed Projects First; Determine and Schedule Resource
Requirements
Identify Available Resources for Remaining Projects
Schedule the Least Resource; Fit the Final Schedule Together
Critical Chain Project Management
Searching for Resource Dependencies
Project Buffer, Feeder Buffers, Resource Buffers
Managing the Buffer
Recap
Review Questions
8 Planning for Risk 99
Learning Objectives
Risk and Project Management
Risk Management Processes
Issues and Concepts in Risk Management
Triple Constraints Issues
Business Risk vs. Insurance Risk
Opportunity and Threat
Residual and Secondary Risk
Degree and Area of Risk Tolerance
Risk Identification
Document Analysis
Interviews
Assumptions Analysis and Brainstorming
Plan Analysis
Risk Analysis
Decision Trees
Risk Buckets
Filtering Technique
Completing Risk Analysis
Risk Response Planning
Modifying the Plan for Risk
Contingency Planning
Risk Monitoring and Control
Implementing the Risk Response Plan
Updating and Maintaining the Plan
Managing Residual Risks, Surprises, and Problems
Managing Contingency Allowances and Reserves
Recap
Review Questions
Procurement, and Human Resources
Learning Objectives
Comprehensive Project Planning
Cost Planning
Cost Budgeting
Quality Planning
Human Resources Planning
Procurement Planning
Communications Planning
Recap
Review Questions
10 Execution, Monitoring, and Control 133
Learning Objectives
Execute, Monitor, Control
Project Execution
Building the Project Team
Managing Tasks and Deliverables
Monitoring and Control
Baselining Your Project
Managing Risks
Managing Scope, Quality, and Change
Updating the Plan or Baseline
Earned Value Project Management
Recap
Review Questions
11 Closeout for Single and Multiple Projects 149
Learning Objectives
Closing Time
Closing Processes
Transition Processes
Deliver the Final Product or Service
Obtain Customer Approvals
Provide Training and Orientation for Users and Operators
Transition Responsibility for Operation and Maintenance
Establish Support Systems and Provide Support
Administrative Closure
Close Out Contracts
Submit Final Invoices
Release Project Resources for Other Work
Close Project Files and Finalize Internal Administrative Procedures
Celebrate Success and Reward Team Members
Salvage Processes
Measure and Ensure Customer Satisfaction
Perform a “Lessons Learned” Review
Identify Opportunities to Reuse and Recycle
Typical Problems in Closing a Project
Checklists and Planning for Closeout
Closing Out in the Multiple Project Environment
Recap
Review Questions
12 Developing Your Personal Action Plan 165
for Managing Multiple Projects
Learning Objectives
From Single Project Management to Multiple Project Management
Standardizing in a Multiple Project Environment
The GREAT Model
Your Action Plan
Recap
Review Questions
Answers to Exercises and Case Studies 175
Exercise 2-2. Hierarchy of Constraints
Exercise 2-3. Write a Project Charter
Exercise 4-1. Write a Statement of Work
Exercise 4-2. Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Exercise 4-3. Fill Out a Task Information Sheet
Exercise 5-2. Critical Path
Exercise 5-3. Gantt Chart
Exercise 6-1. Determining Required Resources
Exercise 6-2. Resource Leveling a Project
Exercise 6-3. Compressing the Schedule
Exercise 6-4. Resourcing a Multiple Project Schedule
Exercise 7-2 Least Resource Scheduling
Exercise 7-3 Critical Chain
Exercise 8-1. Risk Identification
Exercise 8-2. Risk Buckets
Exercise 8-3. Risk Response Planning
Exercise 9-1. Prepare a Bottom-Up Cost Estimate
Exercise 9-2. Resource Assignment Matrix
Exercise 9-3. Communications Plan
Exercise 10-1. Building the Project Team
Exercise 10-2. Tracking Gantt Chart
Exercise 12-1. Standardizing Your Multiple Project Approach
Exercise 12-2. Your Action Plan
Bibliography and Recommended Reading 185
Glossary 189
Post-Test 199
Index 205