My first few years in publishing were spent writing and editing. On the page, it looked like my job was about making words work, and yet, it was so much more than that. Each new endeavor I spearheaded was truly a project, and it required me to switch between those analytical and creative hats every day. Soon, I came to realize that my colleagues were the backbone of the project team, and the timelines and schedules I made and kept were an integral part of the project plan.
This writer somehow ended up in business—and was loving every minute of it. As a fascinated yet unintentional project manager, I wanted to embrace this role with the same attention I put into checking for comma splices and building instruction. What were the secrets to solid project management, and how could I put them to work?
In Project Management Fundamentals, author Bonnie Biafore answers these questions and more, sharing tried and true project management tips that she’s developed through years of real world experience. Whether you’re in charge of an IT installation, a web development project, or managing an event for employees, you’ll discover the value in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing a project.
One of Bonnie’s best tips for new and aspiring project managers is to learn the power of asking open-ended questions. Whether you’re asking project stakeholders (the people the project will affect) to explain their needs, communicating specs to technical teams, or simply corralling the efforts of a large team, open-ended questions like “What would you do in the future to prevent this problem?” and “What’s working well here?” can get the dialogue going and take discussions to new places.
Project Management Fundamentals is suited for all skill levels, including those new to the concept of project management and those hoping to figure out how some of their past projects could have gone more smoothly. With solid project management skills, you’ll be better poised to improve your company’s bottom line by delivering your projects on time and within budget. Plus, I think you’ll learn to enjoy the process—embracing project management is a surprisingly creative process that carries the great reward of better business outcomes and happier customers.
Interested in more?
• All business courses on lynda.com
• All courses by Bonnie-Biafore on lynda.com
Suggested courses to watch next:
• Project 2010 Essential Training
• Time Management Fundamentals
• Effective Meetings
• Excel 2010: Financial Functions in Depth
Tags: Bonnie Biafore, project management, project management fundamentals, project manager
Hi Bonnie,
Which methodology does this tutorial cover? Agile? Waterfall?
Hi PM! The introduction of this course compares waterfall and agile methodology to give all viewers a broad prospective of the options out there, but the entirety of the course focuses predominantly on waterfall project management. Thank you for the comment!