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Managing Multiple Projects

 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