Executive's Guide to Project Management. Organizational Processes and Practices for Supporting Complex Projects

Much has been written about leaders and leadership. Journal articles, blogs and books try to home in on the essence of an effective leader. While there is common agreement that a executive's performance can make or break company, defining that essence of effective leadership remains the Holy Grail for those who find themselves at the top, for those who are responsible for carrying out the strategies and dictates of their managers, and for the shareholders who want to see commitment, action and positive financial return. Breaking the Leadership Mold is designed to help senior executives and managers respond to the challenges of today and shed the vestiges of days gone by. In so doing they will better lead and enable their staff, and create a work environment that is healthy, engaging, productive and sustainable. Based on the author's extensive research and 35 years' experience in working with local, national and international companies, Breaking the Leadership Mold offers 20 principles-such as Principle #10: Recognize How Executive Team Dynamics Promote Mediocrity and Principle #14: Get Other Executives On Board (or Out of the Way)–that when implemented will ensure that not only is there effective communication throughout the organization, from top to bottom and bottom to top, but also that employees and executives alike contribute to their full potential. The net result – the organization wins on every measure. The 20 principles are built on the pillars of case studies, experience and research. Effective leadership is an absolute in any business environment, but becomes even more critical in times when businesses face unprecedented challenges and need to be nimble and responsive to change. Breaking the Mold has proven strategies to empower, unite and galvanize managers and employees – and their organization – to enable them to prosper and adapt in a swift-changing environment.

Your organization can save and thrive in the cloud with this first non-technical guide to cloud computing for business leaders In less than a decade Google, Amazon, and Salesforce.com went from unknown ideas to powerhouse fixtures in the economic landscape; in even less time offerings such as Linkedin, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and many others also carved out important roles; in less than five years Apple's iTunes became the largest music retailer in North America. They all share one key strategic decision – each of these organizations chose to harness the power of cloud computing to power their drives to dominance. With roots in supercomputing and many other technical disciplines, cloud computing is ushering in an entirely new economic reality – technology-enabled enterprises built on low cost, flexible, and limitless technical infrastructures. The Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing reveals how you can apply the power of cloud computing throughout your enterprise, giving members of the C-suite a detailed look at: Why cloud computing must be a top priority on your company's IT roadmaps How the drive for scale, lower costs and greater agility is making cloud computing a fiscal and technological imperative The relationship between cloud computing and other relevant IT initiatives The strategic implications of cloud computing for the enterprise Where to begin and how to get started integrating cloud computing into your existing operations Now you can harness cloud computing's potential for your organization. Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing shows you how.

A solid introduction to materials management and the tools needed to create a world-class materials management program This nuts-and-bolts guide presents an overview of the inner workings of the materials process, as well as the best practices to achieve a world-class operating system that will help to eliminate ineffective materials management. Coverage includes discussion of material requirements planning, planning parameters, electronic data interchange, and material control graphs and reports, among many other topics. Thorough and practical, Materials Management explains the impact that inadequate inventory control has on a company and how these poor controls can reduce production, cause inefficiencies in labor, create excessive inventory, and increase freight expenses. Stan McDonald (Northville, MI) is an independent consultant on materials management. Throughout his 30-year career, he has held various positions in the supply chain/materials management arena.

If you're a project manager, you need this guide to fill in the gaps in the PM canon. The Project Management Institute's Body of Knowledge, fails to fully explain certain PM tools and how they work, among other failures. Real-World Project Management fills in those major gaps with irreverence, wit, and wisdom. For any kind of project you’re managing, this book presents the high-quality tools and tactics you need to succeed.

Proven strategy for reducing production and operating costs while increasing profits As the growth of the Internet shifts power to consumers, the pressure on companies to keep prices low will continue to mount. Increasingly corporations are relying on «margin management» and supply chain management as a means of keeping prices low while raising profits. Activity-based costing and management (ABC/M) data is key to succeeding in both these critical management strategies. This book explains how executives can effectively use the information furnished by cutting-edge ABC/M systems. The author, an acknowledged expert in the field, clearly defines the ABC/M system and explains how to use the information it provides for best results. He provides a rational framework for understanding the fifteen key defining characteristics of ABC/M and arms readers with an ABC/M Readiness Assessment test along with extremely user-friendly exhibits.

A straightforward guide to the principles of effective fundraising operations An Executive Guide to Fundraising Operations provides fundraisers with easy-to-understand approaches to evaluate and address fundraising operations needs and opportunities. This guide simplifies and focuses on the analysis of problems and needs, allowing a quick return to fundraising. Provides the essential framework to improve and innovate development operations Includes dozens of practical tools, including sample policies for data, database, reporting, and business processes Offers sample workflow illustrations for gift processing and acknowledgment, report specification, and other processes Features sample reports for campaign management, performance management, and exception management Delivers effective calculators for operational rules of thumb No matter what the department is called, most fundraisers struggle with evaluating operational issues. This guide leads you through principles of effective fundraising operations, simplifies complicated topics, and offers solutions to some of the most vexing operations dilemmas.

Discover the proven process for maximizing the potential value of any project. Showing readers how to apply value optimization techniques to project and performance management, dramatically increasing results and efficiency, Value Optimization for Project and Performance Management is written to compliment the Project Management Body of Knowledge, the guidance published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), making it readily applicable for any project manager. Presents methodology applied with hundreds of clients across a range of industries Filled with practical facilitation and implementation tips Presents a cohesive theory, structured framework, and diverse toolset Walks you through the value optimization process, showing you how to transform the way a product or process is perceived Brimming with examples, Value Optimization for Project and Performance Management provides a link to a free software demo for you to get started in applying value optimization in your own organization. (PMI is a registered mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.)

The bestselling 'bible' of project management In today's time-crunched, cost-conscious global business environment, tight project deadlines and stringent expectations are the norm. So how can you juggle all the skills and responsibilities it takes to shine as a project management maven? Updated in a brand-new edition, Project Management For Dummies offers everything you need to successfully manage projects from start to finish—without ever dropping the ball. Written by a well-known project management expert, this hands-on guide takes the perplexity out of being a successful PM, laying out all the steps to take your organizational, planning, and execution skills to new heights. Whether it's managing distressed projects, embracing the use of social media to drive efficiency and improve socialization, or resolving conflicts that occur during a project, the soup-to-nuts guidance inside will help you wear your project management hat more prominently—and proudly. Get the latest in industry best practices reflecting PMBOK 6 Motivate any team to gain maximum productivity Execute projects on time and with maximum efficiency Prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam It's never been easier to execute projects on time, on budget, and with maximum efficiency.

Improve your project management skills and accomplish more in no time at all  In these days when projects seem to be bigger and more challenging than ever before, you need to make sure tasks stay on track, meet the budget, and keep everyone in the loop. Enter  Project Management For Dummies.  This friendly guide starts with the basics of project management and walks you through the different aspects of leading a project to a successful finish. After you’ve navigated your way through a couple of projects, you’ll have the confidence to tackle even bigger (and more important) projects!  In addition to explaining how to manage projects in a remote work environment, the book offers advice on identifying the right delivery approach, using social media in project management, and deploying agile project management. You’ll also discover: What’s new in project management tools and platforms so you can choose the best application for your team How to perfect your project management business document with an emphasis on strategy and business knowledge Details on the shift from process-based approaches to more holistic, principle-based strategies focused on project outcomes Examples of how to turn the strategies into smooth-flowing processes Best practices and suggestions for dealing with difficult or unexpected situations If you’re planning to enroll in a project management course or take the Project Management Professionals Certification exam,  Project Management For Dummies  is the go-to resource to help you prepare. And if you simply want to improve your outcomes, this handy reference will have you and your team completing project goals like ninjas!

Typically today's management tasks include project management, running workshops and working with consultancies – all complex activities, which require a multitude of skills and competencies. This book gives you a reference or cookbook-style access to the most important skills in a user-friendly format. Nicolai Andler presents in his book about 100 of such tools arranged according to task complexes. To make personal use of the tools as easy as possible, they are grouped into task-specific categories entitled Define Situation, Gather Information, Creativity, Goal Setting, Organisational Analysis, Technical Analysis, Strategic Analysis, Decision Making, Project Management, Checklists and Questions as well as Scenarios. Elements of information this books covers: – Relevant and appropriate for your needs – Up to date and as timely as possible – Comprehensive and sufficiently wide in scope, combined with a practical level of detail without being too academic – Reliable information from numerous tested sources and real implemented cases – Accessible and easy-to-use due to many different search options and self-help guides This book is a unique reference work and guide for those wanting to learn about or who are active in the fields of consulting, project management and problem solving in general. It presents cookbook-style access to most important skills, including a rating of each tool in terms of applicability, ease of use and effectiveness.