Learn to plan and execute projects in any organization with this practical and insightful resource
The comprehensively updated and revised edition of Strategic Project Management Made Simple cements this series’ status as the leading resource for anyone looking for step-by-step guidance on project design and action initiatives.
Written by celebrated management consultant Terry Schmidt, this book fully covers the necessity of systems thinking and the logical framework approach to solve today’s challenging problems. Strategic Project Management Made Simple also includes:
- An expanded section on turning ideas, problems, and opportunities into projects
- A newly created chapter on managing your “inner game” to achieve project excellence
- Fresh case studies that cover how to pivot your business to meet changing needs
- A new approach, Iterating to Excellence, to create your Minimum Viable Project and produce solutions smoother and faster
Strategic Project Management Made Simple, Revised and Updated is an indispensable volume for leaders and workers seeking to transform their approach to planning, driving, and executing projects in their organizations.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction xxi
Part I: Gaining the Strategic Advantage
Chapter 1: Developing Your Strategic Project Mindset 3
What NASA Rule #15 Can Teach Us 4
Close the Strategy-to-Execution Gap 5
Shoot for the Moon 6
Different Contexts But Similar Issues 10
Preview the Solution Tools 13
Review Key Points 17
Coming Up Next 18
Chapter 2: Visualizing Project Strategy 19
Make Simple Strategy 20
The Power of Causal Logic 21
Organize Objectives into Trees 24
Illuminate Multiple Solution Paths 25
Develop Your Own Objectives Tree 28
Review Key Points 30
Coming Up Next 30
Chapter 3: Speaking a Common Language 33
Communicate with Clarity 34
Set Clear Objectives 35
Communicate in Words and Diagrams 37
Simple Project Logic and the Strategic Hypotheses 40
How Projects Deliver Benefits 42
Turn a Problem into Objectives 45
Review Key Points 47
Coming Up Next 47
Chapter 4: Exploring the Logical Framework Approach 49
Equip Leaders with Practical Tools 50
Examine the LogFrame Structure and Questions 52
How a Stalled Team Finally Got Going 55
Strengthen Your Project Design 58
Think from Multiple Perspectives 60
Case Study: Managing Enterprise-Wide Change 62
Review Key Points 69
Coming Up Next 69
Part II: Mastering the Four Critical Strategic Questions
Chapter 5: Question #1 - What Are We Trying to Accomplish and Why? 73
Define and Align Key Objectives 74
Let’s Go to the Moon! 74
Start with the Big Why 79
Identify your MVP 82
Review These Project Designs 84
Review Key Points 88
Apply Step #1 88
Coming Up Next 89
Chapter 6: Question #2 - How Do We Measure Success? 91
Develop Success Measures and Verifications 92
Measure What Matters Most 92
Determine How to Verify 96
Measures Help You Choose Among Alternative Approaches 98
Special Types of Indicators 99
Case Study: Winning the Peace After Winning the War 101
Review Key Points 105
Apply Step #2 106
Coming Up Next 106
Chapter 7: Question #3 - What Other Conditions Must Exist? 107
Surface and Test Assumptions 108
Spot Trouble Before It Strikes 108
Evaluate Assumptions in Three Steps 110
Case Study: Battling the Asian Gypsy Moth Invasion 115
Turn Objectives Trees into LogFrame Plans 118
Review Key Points 122
Apply Step #3 122
Coming Up Next 123
Chapter 8: Question #4 - How Do We Get There? 125
Identify Action Steps 126
Build It Big 126
Gateway to Multiple Execution Tools 128
Decide Which Lifecycle Fits Best 129
Manage the Ongoing Strategic Action Cycle 132
Keep Your Project on Track 134
Review Key Points 136
Apply Step #4 137
Coming Up Next 137
Part III: Putting These Concepts into Practice
Chapter 9: Getting Your Project Off the Ground 141
Move from Storming to Performing 142
Prepare for a Productive Project Launch 143
Conduct a Project Design Workshop 146
Hold a Project Kickoff Meeting 148
Engage Your Stakeholders Early 149
Create a High-Performance Culture 151
When to Pivot Your Strategy 154
Case Study: Upgrading Group Performance 154
Review Key Points 159
Coming Up Next 159
Chapter 10: Managing Your Inner Game 161
Leverage Your Internal Operating System 162
Take Charge of Your Thoughts 163
Manage Your Emotions 165
Strengthen Your Courage Muscles 167
Build Your Emotional Resilience 168
Manage Your Internal PROJECTS 171
Review Key Points 172
Coming Up Next 173
Chapter 11: Building Your High-Performing Team 175
Components of a Stellar Team 176
Create Engaging Virtual Meetings 180
Case Study: Transforming a Team Through Caring 181
Help Others to Become Their Best 183
Review Key Points 186
Coming Up Next 186
Chapter 12: Managing Your Life Projects 187
Design Your Future 188
Craft Your Personal Vision 189
Develop Your Life Project Portfolio 191
Commit Yourself to Make It Happen 195
Manage Your Dreams and Disappointments 198
Project Yourself into the Future 200
Review Key Points 200
Coming Up Next 201
We Are Here to Support You 203
Glossary and Usage of Terms 205
About the Author 211
Index 213
