Goal Directed Project Management

Goal Directed Project Management (GDPM) is a method developed by the authors, based on practical experience. It has been refined over 40 years and is still widespread in curricula in universities/colleges and adopted as a standard approach by organisations all over the world.

The book is different from other textbooks in project management as it is a focused approach on how to do it, rather than a general discussion. The book emphasises PSO (People, System, and Organisational development), the need to develop People (training and motivation) and Organisation in conjunction with Systems/technical development if you want desired results. The book presents detailed and practical guidance on how to plan, organise, and control PSO projects through hierarchical planning with practical methods and tools (milestone and activity planning and responsibility charts). Uncertainty and multi‑project management are also covered.

New in this edition is benefit realisation. Most of the work on benefit realisation takes place after a project has been delivered, but a lot can be implemented within the framework of the project. Research shows that the greatest degree of project success is achieved when there is a close relationship between benefit realisation and project management, and between project owner and project manager.

Erling S. Andersen is professor emeritus of project management at BI Norwegian Business School. He has published several books and articles on systems development, project management, and management in general.

Kristoffer V. Grude, M.Sc. Business, is former Norwegian managing partner and European director of Coopers & Lybrand consulting (Now PWC) and has a lifetime of experience of international business development, consulting, and project management.

Tor Haug has worked on developing methods for electronic processes and routines through his own company.