Managing Projects: Challenges and methods

This eBook is the first part of a four-part Series on project management. The primary purpose of the Series is to introduce the readers to The Customizable and Adaptable Methodology for Managing Projects™ (CAM2P™), which we have developed and have been using internally since 2008.

This first Part is in two sections. The first section is to set the scenes and discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the practice of project management today. Section 2 offers a brief introduction of the project management methodology, reasons behind its development, alignment to international standards, and alignment with the PMBOK® Guide.

Content

Dedication

Table of Figures

Acknowledgements

Significant Contributor

Foreword

Icons and Their Use

The Project Management Series

1. Introduction
   1. Methodology and Series Information
   2. Method versus Methodology
   3. Types of Projects
   4. Audience
   5. Depth of Coverage
   6. The Series Four eBooks

   Section 1: Challenges and Opportunities 23

2. Growth of Project Management
   1. Introduction
   2. Value of Project Management
   3. Project Management Education
   4. Emerging Profession
   5. Point to Ponder
   6. A Growing Domain
   7. Traditional Management versus Project Management
   8. Role of Professional Associations
3. Challenges: The Growing Pains
   1. What Is Missing?
   2. Challenge 1: Project Management Is Simple
   3. Challenge 2: Project Management Is Bureaucratic
   4. Challenge 3: One Size Fits All
   5. Challenge 4: Not Industry Specifics
   6. Challenge 5: Professional Certifications
   7. Challenge 6: Training versus Institutional Project Management
4. Opportunities for Sustainable Growth
   1. Opportunity 1: Organizational Acceptance
   2. Opportunity 2: Project Management at a Crossroad
   3. Opportunity 3: Professional Certifications
   4. Opportunity 4: Outreach to New Grounds
   5. Opportunity 5: Simplified and Practical Project Management

   Section 2: Project Management Methodology

5. Rationale and Model Perspectives
   1. Model Rationale
   2. A Story That Led To This Work
   3. The Challenges for Professionals
   4. The Customizable and Adaptable Methodology for Managing Projects™
   5. Full Project Life Span Perspective
   6. Multiple Stakeholders
   7. Idea Developer (Project Owner) Perspective
   8. Methodology versus Framework Perspective
6. Fundamental Concepts
   1. Project Management Is a Disciplined Approach
   2. Project Life Span and Stage Gates
   3. Importance of the Stage Gate Process
   4. Is Not the Stage Gate Process A…
7. Introducing the Model
   1. Introduction
   2. Methodology Main Characteristics
   3. The Model Brief Explanation
8. Alignment to Global Standards
   1. Proven Practices
   2. Professional Associations
   3. A Common Gap in Project Management
   4. Integration of CAM2P™ With Global Standards
   5. The Seven Elements
   6. Closing Comment
9. Alignment to PMBOK® Guide
   1. CAM2P™ Link to PMBOK® Guide
   2. Alignment to PMBOK® Guide
   3. How CAM2P™ Aligns to PMBOK®
   4. Where Does the Model Deviate
   5. Process Groups versus Project Life Span
   6. Project Perspective
   7. Stage Perspective
   8. Project and Stage Perspectives
   9. Can We Combine
   10. Conclusion
10. Appendix A: List of Acronyms
11. Appendix B: Glossary of Terms
12. Appendix C: Project Management Associations (Partial)
13. Appendix D: Bibliography
14. Appendix E: Summary of Deviations and Reasons
    1. Introduction to Appendix
    2. Why Three Phases and Not Four
    3. Why Project Authorization Document and Not Charter
    4. Why Project Management Function and Not Knowledge Area
    5. Why Project and Not Work Breakdown Structure
    6. Why Implementation and Not Execution
    7. Why Four Dimensions of Project Success and Not One
    8. Why ‘You Decide’
15. Appendix F: Summary Outlines of All Parts
    1. Part I (eBook 1)
    2. Part II (eBook 2)
    3. Part III (eBook 3)
    4. Part IV (eBook 4)
16. Author Biography
    1. Mounir A. Ajam
    2. The Foundation
17. Endnotes