Includes bibliographical references and index.

The four phases of project management -- The cast of characters -- A written charter -- Dealing with a project's fuzzy front end -- Performing a project premortem -- Will project creep cost you-or create value? -- Setting priorities before starting your project -- Boost productivity with time-boxing -- Scheduling the work -- A rush to failure? -- Getting your project off on the right foot -- The discipline of teams, effective project meetings -- The adaptive approach to project management -- Why good projects fail anyway.

How do you rein in the scope of your project when you’ve got a group of demanding stakeholders breathing down your neck? And map out a schedule everyone can stick to? And motivate team members who have competing demands on their time and attention?

Whether you’re managing your first project or just tired of improvising, this guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to define smart goals, meet them, and capture lessons learned so future projects go even more smoothly.