Addressing a topic of critical importance to every business, this book provides managers at all levels the tools to conduct a successful cost-cutting and productivity-improvement program. Cost cutting and improving productivity are objectives that have always been-and continue to be-critically important to businesses. Today, being efficient isn't simply "best practice;" it's essential to preventing layoffs and facility closures. In Cutting Costs: Successful Strategies for Improving Productivity, a certified management consultant with nearly four decades of experience presents his highly relevant and extensive knowledge to help businesses make significant improvements and be more successful. Providing a practical progression of information that is simple to understand and easy to put to use and benefit from, Fred H. Neu's advice and insights will be invaluable to all business owners, managers with budget responsibility, business finance and accounting professionals, management consultants, business school instructors, and business school students. Presents many topics applicable to all businesses, both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing Describes examples of successful cost-cutting and productivity-improvement projects written by the consultants and managers who implemented them Explains how to measure results of a cost-cutting and productivity-improvement program and reward positive efforts

This book presents the proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Engineering, Project, and Product Management (EPPM 2017), highlighting the importance of engineering, project and product management in a region of the world that is in need of transformation and rebuilding. The aim of the conference was to bring together the greatest minds in engineering and management and offer them a platform to share their innovative, and potentially transformational, findings. The proceedings are comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and advanced in their approach with an appeal not only for academicians and university students but also for professionals in various engineering fields, especially construction, manufacturing and production.

"An essential guide for any professional interested in understanding how to implement and influence change"Prof. Adam Boddison, - Chief Executive, Association for Project Management Leading change in organizations is always hard, but this original, game-based handbook will at least make it much more fun! Based on real-life case studies and reflecting the most common challenges facing any change ninja, this is a story where you get to make the decisions at each stage, and discover the impact of your choices. This interactive approach will appeal particularly to non-linear thinkers and those who learn best through action and application. It's pragmatic, focusing on tips for getting people on board and on identifying small, doable 'ninja moves' that gain traction and build momentum by stealth. After lots of training in things like project management, agile change and leadership, Dr Tammy Watchorn discovered none of this really helped as the focus was always on process rather than people. By understanding how people work instead, she soon found she could deliver successful change by stealth with ninja moves.

Computer Science Project Work: Principles and Pragmatics is essential reading for lecturers and course designers who want to improve their handling of project work on specific courses, and deans and department heads who are interested in strategic issues and comparative practices. It explores working practices within the curriculum and provides a resource of guidelines and practical advice, including tried and tested "good ideas" and case studies of innovative practices.It looks at different approaches to key aspects of project work such as:- Allocation- Supervision- Assessment Integration with the curriculumand allows readers to "mix and match" approaches to create a system which suits their individual needs."Computer Science Project Work: Principles and Pragmatics is passionate, well-researched, and well-written...I wish I had this book from the beginning of my teaching career, and you will too."Susan Fowler, Professor of Technical Communication and Usability, Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York"Sally Fincher and her colleagues have assembled a cornucopia of practical advice and case studies, solidly referenced. This is the source book on using projects in computer science education."David Baume, Director of Teaching Development, Centre for Higher Education Practice, The Open University, UK"...very well-researched, it covers all the aspects, from the allocation of projects and teams, to managing the project process, assessing projects, and so on.....It will prove invaluable to all lecturers involved in teaching computing...."Professor Mike Holcombe, University of Sheffield, UK

Recognizing the importance of selecting and pursuing programs, projects, and operational work that add sustainable business value that benefits end users, the Project Management Institute (PMI (R)) issued its first Standard on Portfolio Management in 2006. In 2014, it launched the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP (R)) credential-which several of the experts who contributed to this book earned-to recognize the advanced expertise required of practitioners in the field. Presenting information that is current with The Standard for Portfolio Management, Third Edition (2013); Portfolio Management: A Strategic Approach supplies in-depth treatment of the five domains and identifies best practices to ensure the organization has a balanced portfolio management that is critical to success. Following PMI's standard, the book is organized according to its five domains: strategic alignment, governance, portfolio performance management, portfolio risk management, and portfolio communications management. Each chapter presents the insight of different thought leaders in academia and business. Contributors from around the world, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, supply a global perspective as to why portfolio management is essential for all types of organizations. They provide guidelines, examples, and models to consider, along with discussion and analysis of relevant literature in the field. Most chapters reference PMI standards, complement their concepts, and expand on the concepts and issues that the standards mention in passing or not at all. Overall, this is a must-have resource for anyone pursuing the PfMP (R) credential from PMI. For executives and practitioners in the field, it provides the concepts you will need to address the ever-changing complexities that impact your work. This book is also suitable as a textbook for universities offering courses on portfolio management.

Project management can be broadly defined as the process of managing, allocating and timing resources to achieve given objectives in an efficient and expedient manner. The builders of the pyramids in Egypt and the Maya temples in Central America are often cited as the world's first project managers. Without the help of computers or planning software, they managed exceptionally complex projects, using the simplest of tools. Nowadays projects, sets of activities which have a defined start point and a defined end state and which pursue a defined goal and use a defined set of resources, come in many and various forms. The Manhattan project which created the first atom bomb, the Apollo moon program, the construction of the Channel tunnel, the design of the Airbus, the development of new products, the construction of large office buildings, the relocation of a factory, the installation of a new information system, as well as the development of a marketing plan are all well-known examples of projects.

Our objectives in writing Project Scheduling: A Research Handbook are threefold: (1) Provide a unified scheme for classifying the numerous project scheduling problems occurring in practice and studied in the literature; (2) Provide a unified and up-to-date treatment of the state-of-the-art procedures developed for their solution; (3) Alert the reader to various important problems that are still in need of considerable research effort. As such, this book should differ from other project scheduling books in its use of an innovative unified resource scheduling classification scheme, and a unified treatment of both exact and heuristic solution procedures.

Project Scheduling: A ResearchHandbook has been divided into four parts. Part I consists of three chapters on the scope and relevance of project scheduling, on the nature of project scheduling, and finally on the introduction of a unified scheme that will be used in subsequent chapters for the identification and classification of the project scheduling problems studied in this book. Part II focuses on the time analysis of project networks. Part III carries the discussion further into the crucial topic of scheduling under scarce resources. Part IV deals with robust scheduling and stochastic scheduling issues. Numerous tables and figures are used throughout the book to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the discussions. For the interested and motivated reader, the problems at the end of each chapter should be considered as an integral part of the presentation.

Achieve greater success by increasing the agility of analytics lifecycle management Agile by Design offers the insight you need to improve analytic lifecycle management while integrating the right analytics projects into different frameworks within your business. You will explore, in-depth, what analytics projects are and why they are set apart from traditional development initiatives. Beyond merely defining analytics projects, Agile by Design equips you with the information you need to apply agile methodologies in a way that tailors your approach to individual initiatives-and the needs of your projects and team. Lifecycle management is a complex subject area, and with the increasingly important integration of analytics into multiple facets of business models, understanding how to use agile tools while managing a product lifecycle is essential to maintaining a competitive edge in today's professional world. * Gain an understanding of the principles, processes, and practices associated with effective analytic lifecycle management * Discover techniques that will enable you to successfully initiate, plan, and execute analytic development projects with an eye for the opportunity to engage agile methodologies * Understand agile development frameworks * Identify which agile methodologies are best for different frameworks-and how to apply them throughout the analytic development lifecycle With analytics becoming increasingly important in today's business world, you need to understand and apply agile methodologies in order to meet rising standards of efficiency and effectiveness. Agile by Design is the perfect reference for project managers, CFOs, IT managers, and marketing managers who want to cultivate a relevant, forward-thinking lifecycle management style.

Software effort estimation is one of the oldest and most important problems in software project management, and thus today there are a large number of models, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses in general, and even more importantly, in relation to the environment and context in which it is to be applied.

Trendowicz and Jeffery present a comprehensive look at the principles of software effort estimation and support software practitioners in systematically selecting and applying the most suitable effort estimation approach. Their book not only presents "what" approach to take and "how" to apply and improve it, but also explains "why" certain approaches should be used in specific project situations. Moreover, it explains popular estimation methods, summarizes estimation best-practices, and provides guidelines for continuously improving estimation capability. Additionally, the book offers invaluable insights into project management in general, discussing issues including project trade-offs, risk assessment, and organizational learning.

Overall, the authors deliver an essential reference work for software practitioners responsible for software effort estimation and planning in their daily work and who want to improve their estimation skills. At the same time, for lecturers and students the book can serve as the basis of a course in software processes, software estimation, or project management.

On the evidence of the authors of Advances in Project Management: Narrated Journeys in Unchartered Territory, there is a sea change coming. That change will affect the way projects are perceived, lead and governed, particularly in the context of the wider organisation to which they belong; whether that is in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors. Many organisations have struggled to apply the traditional models of project management to their new projects in the global environment. Anecdotal and evidence-based research confirms that projects continue to fail at an alarming rate. A major part of the build-up to failure is often the lack of adequate project management knowledge and experience. Advances in Project Management covers key areas of improvement in understanding and project capability further up the management chain; amongst strategy and senior decision makers and amongst professional project and programme managers. This collection, drawn from some of the world's leading practitioners and researchers and compiled by Professor Darren Dalcher of the National Centre for Project Management, provides those people and organisations who are involved with the developments in project management with the kind of structured information, new approaches and novel perspectives that will inform their thinking and their practice and improve their decisions.

TQM-based Project Planning addresses the dual issues of planning and quality improvement. It presents a set of tools, or methods, in a logical order, reinforced by the use of rolling examples. The examples, one from manufacturing and one from the service industry, constitute integrating contexts, linking the chapters. An additional example deals with the implementation of a TQM program in the context of project planning. The tools and methods are the common ones of quality improvement including the seven quality tools, the seven management and planning tools, deployment flowcharting, and methods from Hoshin planning. The unique aspect of the book is not the tools, but their presentation within an integrated structure. This exceptional book gives both understanding of the individual methods and of how they fit together in a successful project. As such it is the ideal text for engineering and project managers, managers of small businesses and quality managers in companies and organisations of all sizes.

In his ground-breaking book, Reinventing Communication, Mark Phillips shows how even the most mature organization can fail to deliver successful projects - and worse, how this can lead to an organization's demise. With clear examples, Mark reveals the underlying principles at work and introduces a revolutionary new technique for harnessing the power of communication to ensure long term success. For organizations of all sizes, this book changes the way we think about management and leadership. Mark makes his case by looking at teams and individuals that set out to deliver ambitious achievements in complex and challenging environments. We meet the leadership team that built the F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, one of the US Navy's most successful programs. We discover the untraditional approach to risk used in building a new terminal at London's Heathrow airport. We draw lessons on corporate survival from the cat and mouse fight against IED's in Afghanistan, and are introduced to a website where online video gamers solved a critical piece of the AIDS puzzle using their gaming prowess. Reinventing Communication is about creating the conditions for performance and attaining long term success. Whether a start-up, a global enterprise or a government agency, this book shows us how to deliver ambitious achievements by getting communication right. It is a book that no manager, leader or innovator should be without.

Technologies such as the Internet and mobile commerce bring with them ubiquitous connectivity, real-time access, and overwhelming volumes of data and information. The growth of data warehouses and communication and information technologies has increased the need for high information quality management in organizations. Information Quality Management: Theory and Applications provides solutions to information quality problems becoming increasingly prevalent.Information Quality Management: Theory and Applications provides insights and support for professionals and researchers working in the field of information and knowledge management, information quality, practitioners and managers of manufacturing, and service industries concerned with the management of information.

The primary aim of Project Management is to facilitate the successful completion of projects. For this reason it puts particular emphasis on the importance of careful preparation and strategic co-operation within the project team. The first part of this new textbook offers a description of the project-based approach to the work environment, an analysis of when such an approach is appropriate and an account of how to make projects work. In addition, this part of the book discusses the role of planning software within the project environment. Part Two of the book describes the practical tools and skills needed to tackle projects. A number of the skills outlined in Part Two are also relevant to learning contexts other than projects. This new edition offers additional material on the life-cycle of the project: from setting up to completing a project. New sections deal with skills such as brainstorming and decision making in the project group. The text makes for required reading for project management students everywhere.

This book covers methods adopted for undertaking the design and construction of civil engineering projects. The options for separate design and construction are compared with design and build projects, construction management, and man- agement contracting. The salient differences are shown between the various con- ditions of contract used. The roles of the engineer, employer's project manager or his representative under different forms of contract are compared. Requirements for the production of contract documents, specifications, tendering procedures and choice of contractor are set out. The engineer's powers and the duties of his resident engineer on the site of con- struction are considered in detail. Records, filing systems, programme and progress charts used by the resident engineer are illustrated, and advice is given on the handling of safety problems and difficult situations on site. Problems of measurement and billing of quantities according to the civil engi- neering standard method are described. Correct procedures for setting rates for varied work, payment for method-related items, and handling claims for unfore- seen conditions under ICE Clause 12 are given. Difficulties with delay claims and situations where the contractor submits quotations before undertaking varied work are discussed. The approach is essentially practical throughout and covers many actual prob- lems met on site, including measures that are advisable in relation to site surveys and investigations, construction of earthworks and pipelines, and the production and placing of concrete.

A new theory of balanced leadership in projects Leadership is not static. Instead, authority in projects shifts dynamically between project managers, individual team members, and sub-teams, depending on the situation. Leadership may be exercised through a vertical, horizontal, shared, or distributed leadership approach. However, balanced leadership ensures the best suitable approach is used in any given situation. Based on an award-winning global program of research studies, Balanced Leadership is a thorough investigation of balanced leadership in projects. Ralf Muller, Nathalie Drouin, and Shankar Sankaran present a project-specific leadership approach as well as a theory of balanced leadership, and the situations in which different strategies are required. They also outline the five building blocks that enable balanced leadership: nomination of team members, identification of potential leaders, selection and empowerment of leaders, empowered leadership and its governance, and leadership transition. The book explains the coordination of these building blocks through the socio-cognitive space shared by project manager and team. Using real-life case studies and clear examples, this book offers a new way of considering and utilizing dynamic leadership in project settings.

The pharmaceutical industry has encountered major shifts in recent years, both within the industry, and in its external environment. The cost of healthcare rising due to an ageing population, the intensification of regulatory requirements and mergers within the industry have led to an increased need for restructuring, cost reduction and culture change projects. Project management is the key to addressing these needs, and also to effective drug development. Given the costs of development and the critical issue of 'time to market', project management techniques - appropriately used - are a key factor in bringing a drug to market. In this book, Laura Brown and Tony Grundy's pharmaceutical expertise and experience offers the reader a guide to the most relevant project management tools and techniques and how to rigorously apply them in the pharmaceutical industry. The authors cover the technical, strategic and human aspects of project management, including contingency planning, simulation techniques and different project options. Complete with decision-tree diagrams, checklists, exercises and a full glossary, Project Management for the Pharmaceutical Industry provides clinical research, drug development and quality assurance managers or directors with a one-stop reference for successfully managing pharmaceutical projects. The text has been revised for this edition and now includes some additional material on risk management.

Succeed as a project manager, even if you've never run a project before! This book is the fastest way to master every project management task, from upfront budgeting and scheduling through execution, managing teams through closing projects, and learning from experience. Updated with more insights from the front lines, including agile approaches, dealing with security and privacy priorities, and leading remote/virtual teams, along with the latest on Microsoft Project and PMI standards and certifications and a special bonus chapter on preparing for the new PMP certification. This book will show you exactly how to get the job done, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Project management has never, ever been this simple! This is today's best beginner's guide to modern project management--simple, practical instructions for succeeding with every task you'll need to perform! * Master the key skills and qualities every project manager needs * Learn how to lead projects, not just "manage" them * Avoid 15 most common mistakes new project managers make * Learn from troubled, successful, and "recovered" projects * Apply agile, hybrid, and traditional project management approaches * Learn the differences between a project manager, Scrum master, and product owner * Learn how DevOps and DevSecOps impact the project manager * Set the stage for success by effectively defining your project * Build a usable project plan and an accurate work breakdown structure (WBS) * Create budgets and schedules that help you manage risk * Use powerful control and reporting techniques, including earned value management * Smoothly manage project changes, issues, risks, deliverables, and quality * Manage project communications and stakeholder expectations * Organize and lead high-performance project teams * Manage cross-functional, cross-cultural, and virtual projects * Get started with agile and "critical chain" project management * Gain key insights that will accelerate your learning curve * Learn how to respond to real-life situations, not just what they teach you in school

Today, a major component of any project management effort is the combined use of qualitative and quantitative tools. While publications on qualitative approaches to project management are widely available, few project management books have focused on the quantitative approaches. This book represents the first major project management book with a practical focus on the quantitative approaches to project management. The book organizes quantitative techniques into an integrated framework for project planning, scheduling, and control. Numerous illustrative examples are presented. Topics covered in the book include PERT/CPM/PDM and extensions, mathematical project scheduling, heuristic project scheduling, project economics, statistical data analysis for project planning, computer simulation, assignment and transportation problems, and learning curve analysis. Chapter one gives a brief overview of project management, presenting a general-purpose project management model. Chapter two covers CPM, PERT, and PDM network techniques. Chapter three covers project scheduling subject to resource constraints. Chapter four covers project optimization. Chapter five discusses economic analysis for project planning and control. Chapter six discusses learning curve analysis. Chapter seven covers statistical data analysis for project planning and control. Chapter eight presents techniques for project analysis and selection. Tables and figures are used throughout the book to enhance the effectiveness of the discussions. This book is excellent as a textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management, and Business, and as a detailed, comprehensive guidefor corporate management.

This book is an introductory text on building measurement and estimating for simple buildings in Hong Kong, based on the Hong Kong Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 4th Edition Revised 2018 (HKSMM4 Rev 2018). It provides a toolkit for students and surveying technicians who are new to the subject. This second edition updates the contents in line with the HKSMM4 Rev 2018 and incorporates the latest industry developments such as BIM. The main text is divided into five parts following the development of a typical project. Part 1, Building the project team, introduces the team setup for a typical project. Part 2, Deciding the procurement strategy, explains the various procurement decisions to be made by an employer before any cost estimating and measurement work takes place. Part 3, Preparing for tender, covers the tendering methods, tender documentation and approximate estimating techniques used by Quantity Surveyors. Part 4, Measuring quantities, introduces measurement principles and HKSMM4 Rev 2018, followed by a detailed review of the measurement methods for each major trade, with worked examples. Part 5, Estimating unit rates, explores the basic techniques for unit rate preparation. The book contains worked examples from real Hong Kong building projects, self-assessment questions, reminders and points of note. It is essential reading for Hong Kong construction and surveying students, international Quantity Surveyors working in the local area and those wanting international examples of Quantity Surveryors practice.