The Project Complexity

This book explores how to use the Project Management Body of Knowledge, the Agile framework, and the Six Sigma methodology to manage projects. Seasoned project managers will benefit from a refresher on the tools and techniques of project management. Aspiring and new project managers will build a toolbox of tools and techniques that can be scaled to manage projects efficiently. The project management skills in this book are a must for anyone who operates a project, whether that is your official title or not. The chapters of this book cover the essential elements of successful project management. Charts and other visual tools and techniques are illustrated to ensure the highest levels of comprehension, especially for visual learners. This includes comprehensive explanations of tools and techniques in the phases of initiation, planning, execution, and monitoring, and then closing the project. It then explores what Agile is, its tools and techniques, and the different flavors of Agile, so that the chosen framework aligns with how the team will work to complete the project. For example, many project managers choose popular frameworks like Scrum or use Kanban boards. But this book takes its steps further, introducing Agile Methodologies that are less popular but highly effective for project management, such as Feature-Driven Development, Extreme Programming (XP), and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM). Finally, Six Sigma is introduced through the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) phases to make the project lean by removing waste and variation in the project management process. The introduction of essential Lean Six Sigma tools, such as Pulling Tasks on a Kanban Board, Efficiently using Heijunka, and Monitoring your improvements with Control Charts. By infusing these three practices into the process, the project manager is better able to adapt to changing project requirements and complete projects faster. The number of failed projects has improved over the years, but there is still room for improvement. These three Frameworks together will bring the new project manager up to speed on the basics and give them the edge they need via the project management trifecta. A trifecta in horse betting is when you choose the three horses that will win a race. In a 'boxed trifecta, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners that are selected can cross the finish line in any order. I argue that each of these frameworks is a winner in their own right, and they work together in many ways. The trifecta will definitely increase the likelihood of delivering a successful project by managing deadlines, people, and changing priorities successfully. The tools and techniques are agnostic and introduce the tools required to lead effectively regardless of the size or complexity of the project. You will gain an understanding of the following concepts from this book: Core project management principles; Proactive approaches to risk management; Leading productive teams; Agile Project Management, using Kanban Boards, and other project methodologies; Agile Manifesto Principles and Values; Using Six Sigma to pinpoint problems and implement project process improvements; Building a comprehensive methodology that allows you to manage work processes to successful outcomes.