Many organisations do not change when they need to, nor do they change when the have to. If they did, fewer would fail. Like people, organisations, whether they are businesses or government departments, only change when they want to. Projects are embarked upon to bring about change and as such often involve a cultural shift - a new way of looking at things, adjustments to values and behaviours, even the abandonment of norms and sacred cows.
Managing projects cannot be separated from managing the whole of an organisation's business. Effective management of 'business as usual' brings about evolutionary improvements. Good project management brings about step changes in performance. Experience demonstrates that a project requires the collaboration of many, including those who commission and finance it, those who will use the end product and those who build it. Yet project management is often delegated to people who struggle against sometimes impossible odds with little support to deliver a successful outcome.
History is full of examples of projects that damaged organisations because they were late, over budget, failed to deliver what they were meant to, or didn't achieve the lasting change which was hoped for. This guide explains the principles and techniques of project management and how they are interconnected with the day-to-day management of a business. With the aim of helping firms deliver successful project outcomes, Guide to Project Management is an invaluable handbook for all organisations that want to achieve lasting benefit through effective change. |