Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager
By: Kory Kogon and Suzette Blakemore
This book addresses common situations where we can find ourselves, tasked with project responsibilities but lacking the formal training or title of a project manager. It provides a structured approach to project management that is easy to understand and practical for anyone. It covers fundamental project management principles, such as defining scope, setting objectives, managing stakeholders, and handling risks. The authors introduce various tools and techniques that can be immediately applied to improve project outcomes, including planning templates, communication strategies, and methods for tracking progress. The book offers actionable advice on navigating common challenges faced by unofficial project managers, such as handling conflicts, managing time effectively, and prioritizing tasks. Real-world case studies and examples are used throughout the book to illustrate concepts and demonstrate their application in different scenarios.
I like this book for its practical approach to project management, offering a wealth of tools and strategies that can immediately improve project outcomes. It’s a valuable resource for anyone thrust into a project management role without formal training, providing them with the confidence and skills needed to succeed.
I am seeing more and more the benefits of project management skills in Emergency Management, when you think about it most of what we do involves working on projects. Project management skills and terminology transfer over to partners outside of Emergency Management for a clearer understanding of efforts. I think the concept of project management in Emergency Management is worthy of further exploration…
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Takeaways
Project management skills have a place in Emergency Management, and Emergency Managers should get familiar with them. A lot of the tools and concepts we already use correlate with project management sciences.
Project success is determined at the very beginning by the effort put into scoping the project. The end goals and objectives must be clearly identified to develop a path to achievement.
One of the most important parts of scoping a project is ensuring the right people are identified and on the team.
Project planning must be detailed and account for variables such as cost and risk of failure. The result of planning is a good project schedule that leads the team to success on time and budget.
Consistent team engagement is essential for maintaining accountability throughout the project.
Project managers must be proactive in tracking efforts and results throughout the project and adjust as necessary to ensure deliverables meet expectations.
Every project has an end and how you close out can set you up for success on future projects. Be sure to confirm the project is closed and everyone knows it, document any lessons learned (AAR), and just as important as anything else Celebrate! You and the team put in some hard work and deserve to decompress and be appreciated.