Project Management: Achieving Project Bottom-Line Succe$$

by William J. Pinkerton

This text offers not only a candid look at the origins, planning and excution of projects but also at the strategic thinking that should be taking place from the outset giving many examples and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071412816
• ISBN13: 9780071412810
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 520 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Achieving Bottom Line Success

This new addition to project management literature is a unique and valuable contribution to the field.The Forward, by a systems control engineer and CEO, sets the stage for what one can expect in the text. The author's Preface further enhances interest by way of a vivid descriptive overview of projects throughout history that illustrate how crucial planning and management is to any venture's success - or failure. Of particular interest is the caveat that project management has to be viewed in a global context as technological advances will have an ever increasing impact on a corporation's ability to maintain a competitive edge. What makes this book a stand-out in a field which appears to have an over-abundance of contributors? Primarily, it is due to the author's creative formulation of a well constructed philosophy of "bottom-line success(PBLS)." This philosophy sets forth principles by which the project achieves a bottom-line impact, i.e., a net profit. Note that the "P" can interchangeably mean philosophy, principles or project. To alliterate further: PROFIT!In essence, bottom-line success encompasses all of these.PBLS stresses the importance of detailed attention to the beginning stages of a project accompanied by a keen eye to the long term aspects such as potential problems and risks, contingencies and corrective action components, all of which can impact costs. This construct rests on basic fundamentals, or precepts, namely, clearly defined objectives, recognition of risks, teamwork, pre-project planning and a detailed definition of scope. To bypass or diverge from any one of these will invite failure.What separates this book from many others on the subject is its avoidance of "quick fixes and solutions." It is highly readable and has substance. Through vivid illustrations of real life situations, the author analyzes both successes and failures. Further features include an extensive appendix of forms and a valuable section on key definitions. The numerous graphs and progress monitoring charts are useful adjuncts to the text.The author has impressive credentials. He has over 30 years experience with a wide range of domestic and global projects including 10 years with NASA along with in-depth involvement in a number of billion dollar industrial and business ventures. Currently, he conducts seminars and workshops world-wide that assist corporations in "achieving bottom-line succcess."This book is truly on the "cutting edge" and will be of inestimable value to both the experienced and the novice. A question is posed in the concluding pages: "When is success successful enough?" Answer: "When it cannot, realistically, be done better!" Enjoy, and PROFIT!!