Project Management for IT-Related Projects

by Roger Ireland, Norman Smith, Brian West

This book explains the principles of IT-related project management, including project planning, monitoring and control, change management, risk management and communication between project stakeholders. Each chapter includes detailed discussion of the syllabus content, activities and multiple choice questions for self-assessment. This is the only textbook tailored specifically to match the BCS syllabus so the user can be confident of using exactly the right materials.

164 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Paul Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another competent BCS publication. I’d been doing the job a while and covered most of the material at Polytechnic in the 80s but yes it was a good read.

[Łukasz Słonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very decent publication. If you are a seasoned project manager (in the IT industry) you won't find anything new here. But you can definitely refresh your knowledge of project management if you have experience in other industries, this book presents an IT perspective.

[BCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Project Management for IT-related Projects is a short but information-packed resource of just 150 pages, covering all the major components of managing IT projects; it is extremely well illustrated with robust practical advice and guidance.

For anyone who has been on a PRINCE2 project management course, this book is entirely complementary.

Rather than focus on the methodology, this book gives a practical introduction to principles and techniques of IT project management and so will most definitely add to and reinforce your knowledge. In fact it will be a great refresher to anyone whose project management skills have lapsed.

But for those that haven’t managed a project, you will learn to appreciate the basics of project work, project planning, monitoring and control. Early on in Chapter 2 you will find out what makes software tools like Microsoft Project tick, as the underpinning logic is simply described and easy to digest.

Later on there are also sections on change control, and the management thereof, and an excellent piece on quality, in particular the evaluation of third-party suppliers. Once you’ve been through the material, you will certainly appreciate the added value that a professional project manager will bring to your project.

The most difficult aspects of managing projects are covered too: estimating how long the project is going to take, and identifying and dealing with the risks that have been (or yet to be) identified.

Each chapter commences with the learning outcomes expected, but what I found really unique in each chapter were the structured activities that are demanded of the reader.

This is no easy stroll through project management; you will be challenged at every turn, to see how well you have absorbed the story so far ... an editorial masterstroke! Fortunately there are pointers (answers if you like) for each activity at the end of the relevant chapter, so you can double-check that you are on the right track!

Amongst the other added extras are some useful URLs, and regular references in every chapter to complementary reading material. I also found the figures and tables cross reference extremely helpful, for quickly referring back to a specific illustration.

In summary, this is a project manager’s ‘must-have’ book, and is a great testimony to the hard work of Bob and his team in pulling together a wealth of practical advice for aspiring and current project managers. It is no surprise that this excellent book is recommended reading for the BCS Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management.

George Williams MBCS CITP

[Manjula]

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