Complex systems do not require complex project management. The most effective project managers are able to simplify their project environment and organize projects, large and small, to achieve predictable results. This book explains how anyone responsible for a project can apply the same powerful methods, based on proven visual models, including these five essentials:

Organizational commitment—The foundation for the project that includes: a culture responsive to the project manager; the project team's charter to do the job; the financial and other necessary resources; and the tools and training for effective execution.

Communication—The language and techniques used to interact effectively and function as a project team.

Teamwork—Efficiently working together to achieve a common goal, with acknowledged interdependency and trust, acceptance of a common code of conduct, and a shared reward.

Project cycle—The overall strategic and tactical project management approach, performed in periods and phases, and punctuated by key decisions. The project cycle usually starts with the identification of user needs, ends with project products, and is comprised of business, budget, and technical aspects.

Management elements—The ten categories of management responsibilities, techniques, and tools that are situationally applied throughout all phases of the project cycle by all stakeholders.

Authors Forsberg, Mooz, and Cotterman are leading project management consultants who have helped shape the direction of project management thinking and culture. With the cooperation of their major clients, the processes and techniques in this landmark book have been confirmed and tested by more than 40,000 working project managers.

About the Author
KEVIN FORSBERG, PhD, CSEP, is cofounder of The Center for Systems Management, which provides project management and systems engineering services to an international client list that includes the CIA, Nokia, Lockheed Martin, and NASA. Dr. Forsberg has over forty-five years of experience in the project management and systems engineering fields and has won numerous awards, including the NASA Public Service Medal, the CIA Seal Medallion, and the INCOSE Pioneer Award.

HAL MOOZ, PMP, CSEP, is cofounder of The Center for Systems Management and has twenty-three years of experience consulting to government and private organizations, including AT&T, NASA, Bell Labs, and GTE. He has developed leading university and industry project management training programs and trained more than 10,000 high-technology project managers. He was awarded the CIA Seal Medallion and the INCOSE Pioneer Award.

HOWARD COTTERMAN has served The Center for Systems Management in roles ranging from project manager to president. His executive posts at leading technology companies include vice president of Rockwell International and engineering director responsible for Intel's family of microcomputers.