Preface

This book is designed to provide an overview of current planning techniques and specific information on the details of project planning for project managers or project planners. It is organized into five sections:

1. Introduction to Project Planning and Scheduling—Purpose and role of planning and the relationship to the PMBOK? Guide.

2. Concepts and Tools of Planning and Scheduling—Different types of planning and scheduling tools and their applications.

3. Steps in Project Planning and Scheduling—Seven major steps in establishing a baseline plan, schedule, and detailed information that should be in a project plan.

4. Advanced Planning and Scheduling Considerations—Optimization and resource heuristics, critical chain project management, and project management maturity models.

5. Summary and Checklist—Checklist to assist the project manager in the development of project plans and schedules using project management software.

The text is followed by a bibliography and an index.

This book is a product of my 40 years of project management experience, including participating as the Martin Company (later Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin) representative to a government/industry task force in the 1960s, when many of the project management tools now in daily use throughout the world were first developed. As a project manager, consultant, and mentor to project managers, and as a trainer and course developer, I have been involved in developing a large number of plans and schedules; much of this experience is reflected in this book.

Thanks goes to the staff and editors of Management Concepts, Inc., and my business partner, Dr. Ginger Levin, who encouraged me in this endeavor and provided many useful editorial and substantive comments.

Gregory T. Haugan