Project Management Simplified: A Step-by-Step Process

Are projects a problem for you? Do your projects cost too much, take too long, or are just not quite right? If so, Project Management Simplified: A Step-by-Step Process is the book for you. It applies well-defined processes for managing projects to managing change in our lives. It describes an approach modeled on a process used successfully in businesses, not-for-profit organizations, schools, and other organizations. The skills and techniques are not unique to businesses and organizations; they are life skills available to everyone.

There are a number of structured approaches that guide the successful completion of projects in business environments. This book translates these processes and techniques such that nonproject managers can easily use these proven approaches in a nonbusiness context for their own projects. It removes technical jargon, the need for computer software and hardware, and complicated organizational environments, describing the essential project management processes in a simple, straightforward manner.

As you progress through the book, you connect the dots necessary to complete your personal projects. A sample project in the text and a case study in the appendices further illustrate the concepts explained in the text. The author challenges you to select a project and, working along with the book, be the project manager and develop a project plan. By working with customers and funders of the project, defining the project, identifying how long it will take, and determining its cost, you will develop the expertise to define project goals and create a plan to reach them.

Barbara Karten, PMP, has over 20 years of management, project/ product/program management, and consulting/training experience. Since 2003, she has been an independent consultant and trainer delivering project management and business systems analysis training, PMP (project management professional) exam preparation training, general project management courses for continuing education credits, PMI (Project Management Institute) Chapter-sponsored study groups, and project management courses both online and on ground for graduate and undergraduate programs at local universities. Barbara began her career with a focus on the application of systems methodology to human service systems development and operations. Over time, her interest in organizational effectiveness developed into a focus on requirements and business processes, and into positions as a business systems analyst for technology companies. Building on this experience, Barbara assumed responsibility for the management of projects and programs, for software and hardware in high technology companies. In addition to her work with nonprofit human service agencies and for profit technology companies, Barbara taught project management at local universities, including University of Phoenix, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Northeastern University. She developed and updated PMP curricula and course materials for academia and local project management training providers. She has presented at industry conferences as a panelist and a speaker. Barbara is a past president of the Central Mass PMI Chapter and is the Central Mass PMI Chapter liaison to the PMIEF (Project Management Institute Education Foundation), which addresses the project management needs of not-for-profit organizations, educational organizations, and NGOs. She has the Project Management Institute PMP certification, Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and Microsoft Technology Specialist certification for MS Project 2010 (MCTS). From Boston University, she has certificates in Project Management and Business Systems Analysis, a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems (MCIS), a master’s degree in Urban Affairs (MUA), and a BA in psychology. Barbara advocates project management skills as core competencies for life, education, career, and personal projects. She believes that people with project management capabilities are competitively positioned to succeed.