T
h e 1 0 H o u r P r o j e c t M a n a g e r
Strategies for
managing successful projects
A bedside read by Paul Dorset
Copyright 2011 Paul Dorset
Smashwords Edition
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Contents
Do I need to read the whole book? / Do I need to read it in order?
What does ‘managing successful projects’ mean?
1. Concepts / A brief introduction to project management
What is managing a project all about?
2. Who's Who? - Know the project players
I’m just a minor project manager - Working for IT versus working for the Business
Is there anybody else I should care about?
P.S. - A Note to Stakeholders!
3. Risk Management - Ignore this at your own peril
4. Chess Playing – You don’t get to be the king or the queen
Juggle the balls or play the chess game?
Always look at the big picture - But take care of the important little stuff
Oh yeah, so who is on the board?
Fail to plan, plan to fail – and then keep on planning!
5. Project Lifecycle – From dawn ’til dusk
Understanding the level of Organizational Maturity
Understanding the Project Methodology (Iterative v Waterfall)
The Project Lifecycle – Planning versus Execution
Just how much do I need to work during each project phase?
6. Communications & Reporting - Too little or too much?
The Communications Plan - There are always people who need to know stuff and regularly too
Communicate positive messages as often as possible
Confuse them with science - a little Gantt chart goes a long way!
Use Yellow / Red status as sparingly as possible
7. How to become an accomplished PM – Making the most of the ingredients
Understanding the level of Organizational Maturity
Understanding the implemented Enterprise Project Management components
8. Tips & Tricks – You have to have a tips and tricks chapter!
Prioritizing emails - Ignore them if possible, touch once
Use Yellow / Red status as sparingly as possible
Make a task list - Then ignore it (getting things out of your head)!
Don’t get derailed by the detailed questions
There's always someone trying to mess up the endgame!
Never change the launch date of a project within one month of launch
Take charge when you need to - You are the project manager!
Theory versus practice - What a PM should do versus what you actually need to do
And finally - Knowing the right time to take a vacation
What time did we save and when?
ONE: We should have launched yesterday – no, seriously!
TWO: Just why isn’t this project going as planned?
THREE: Just let me have at it, will you?
FOUR: This two liter bottle is full to overflowing and we’ve only poured in one liter!
Preface
It has long been a desire of mine to write a book on project management, and I have spent most of the last fifteen years practicing the art worldwide. During that time many people have asked me for some written guidance but until now there just hasn’t been the right opportunity to do so. So here we have it.
I’ve tried to write something straightforward, told in the way I speak. I’m not a teacher and this isn’t a classroom book. It’s a series of guidelines told through stories and real life experiences that have been etched into my head over the years as I’ve traveled the world managing all sorts of projects, large and small.
I want to say a big thank you to all of you that have encouraged me with your kind words while working with me. I also want to thank all those that took time out in their careers many years ago to help me on the road to successful project management. Now it’s my turn to pass the baton on. I hope you each find a little something that makes the purchase of this book worth the price of a beer. Cheers!
Introduction
“You live and learn. At any rate, you live.” (Douglas Adams)
Who is this book for?
Most likely you are someone who has been managing projects for a few years, in a variety of different situations. Maybe you're a consultant that wanders from project to project, or an employee that gets passed from pillar to post depending on the hot topic of the month. Either way, you're not fresh out of school and you've seen a scary thing or two happen during project implementations. What you're really looking for are some words of wisdom, or maybe a guide you can refer to as necessary, that will enable you to manage your projects more efficiently and cut down your work weeks to something more sustainable. You would ideally like to spend some quality time somewhere outside the confines of your office.
The objective of this book is to enable the reader to successfully manage most every project you will ever be given in less than ten hours a week. That’s only two hours a day! Okay, when you've stopped laughing read on. This is actually the premise of the book. I have managed successful projects in many companies, in many countries, in many cultures and in many situations. Nearly without fail I have only paid very close attention to the management of that project for about ten hours a week, over the majority of the project lifecycle. In some cases, it was even less!
Note: Just promise me when you’ve finished reading this book you won't tell anyone else about it. After all what would our sponsors have to say? And what will we do with all the extra hours we will free up? Well, that's a topic for another day!
What this book is not
This is not a course in Project Management or a guide to the PMBOK. It won't even get you PMI certified. Why? There are plenty of other books out there that will do those things. This book is not concerned with the specifics of passing tests, but rather the realities of managing a successful project without killing you in the process. Life is hard enough as it is and I don't want to add to that burden. In fact, I want to make things easier; give you back hours of extra time in your week.
Do I need to read the whole book? / Do I need to read it in order?
Managing a successful project is not like wandering around an all-you-can-eat buffet. So, roll up your sleeves and work your way through this ten course meal. You never know, you may even enjoy the experience!
What will I learn from it?
This book is about the meta-rules associated with running a project. It’s about the management skills that will not only help you decide what you need to pay close attention to but also what you can safely de-prioritize. This will allow you to focus on the relevant and important items in a project. Every project is a little different, but the meta-rules are the same. By the end of this book you should have all the tools necessary to be able to successfully manage most projects in only ten hours a week (during the majority of the lifecycle). Just think what you will be able to do with all that spare time. Maybe you'll even be able to start that little money-earning side project you've always intended to get underway!
What does ‘managing successful projects’ mean?
The definition of a successful project is going to come from your stakeholders, not from something that I, you or your colleagues decide upon. As such, the criteria for a successful project will vary from project to project. But by understanding these criteria, working 'smart' and applying the guidelines laid down in this book, you will deliver a successful project. Time and time again. Good luck!
1. Concepts / A brief introduction to project management
“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.” (John Newton)
Controlling your burden. That’s the key to managing a successful project. Too many project managers try to juggle too many things at any one time and spend the whole day chasing fires and seemingly making little progress. These people go home at night exhausted, eat dinner, fret over project schedules, update ‘To Do’ lists for the following day and then try and grab a few hours sleep before they’re back at work again. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there at some time or other.
Me? I try to get to the office at around 7am, spend about twenty minutes processing my important emails and setting up the day, have a relaxing cup of earl grey tea and settle in for an ordered day spattered with a few meetings and communications. I take lunch around 11:30am and by 3pm I’m normally about ready to head home. Oh, and did I say, my projects run pretty smoothly, thank you very much!