Introduction to Pm

CHAPTER

1

OBJECTIVES

INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

LEARNING

After reading this chapter, you will be able to: • • Understand the growing need for better project management, especially for information technology projects Explain what a project is, provide examples of information technology projects, list various attributes of projects, and describe the triple constraint of project management Describe project management and discuss key elements of the project management framework, including project stakeholders, the project management knowledge areas, common tools and techniques, and project success Discuss the relationship between project, program, and portfolio management and the contributions they each make to enterprise success Understand the role of the project manager by describing what project managers do, what skills they need, and what the career field is like for information technology project managers Describe the project management profession, including its history, the role of professional organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI), the importance of certification and ethics, and the advancement of project management software

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OPENING CASE

Anne Roberts, the Director of the Project Management Office for a large retail chain, stood in front of 500 people in the large corporate auditorium to explain the company’s new strategies. She was also broadcasting to thousands of other employees, suppliers, and stockholders throughout the world using live video via the Internet. The company had come a long way in implementing new information systems to improve inventory control, sell products using the Web, streamline the sales and distribution processes, and improve customer service. However, the stock price was down, the nation’s economy was weak, and people were anxious to hear about the company’s new strategies. Anne began to address the audience, “Good morning. As many of you know, our CEO promoted me to this...