Dennis Lock's masterly exposition of the principles and practice of project management has been pre-eminent in its field for four decades. It was among the very few early books to treat project management holistically, rather than as a collection of separate techniques. It thus explains the entire project management process in great detail, demonstrating techniques ranging from the simplest of charts to sophisticated computer applications. Everything is reinforced throughout with case examples and diagrams.
The text has been completely restructured and largely rewritten for this ninth edition, so that the sequence now follows even more closely the life-cycle of a typical project from its earliest definition to final close-out. Case examples and diagrams have all been reviewed, updated, augmented or replaced. Expansion from 25 to 30 chapters has allowed greater emphasis to be given to stakeholders' perceptions of success, the organization and management of business change projects, people's roles in project management and the wider business contexts in which project management has been adopted.
As with previous editions, meticulous care has been taken to ensure that the text style is reader-friendly and free of unnecessary jargon, with clear diagrams and a construction that is logically organized, well indexed and simple to navigate. The result is certain to maintain the book's acclaimed status as the standard work for managers and students alike.
Project Management is the best British textbook on the subject. Students prefer it for its approachable style and excellent value for money.
Contents: Preface to the ninth edition; Introduction to project management; Factors for project success or failure; Defining the project task; Estimating the project costs; First steps in planning the timescale; Financial appraisal and the business plan; Risk; Project authorization; Project organization structures; Organization of management change and IT projects; Key people in the organization; Work breakdown and coding; Completing the breakdown structures; Detailed planning: an introduction to critical path networks; Detailed planning: critical path networks in practice; Principles of resource scheduling; Scheduling people (and other re-usable resources); Scheduling materials; Scheduling cash flows; Computer applications; Managing project start-up; Aspects of commercial management; Managing procurement; Managing progress; Managing changes; Managing project costs; Earned-value analysis and cost reporting; Managing multiple projects, programmes and portfolios; More advanced or less frequently used techniques; Managing project closure; Bibliography; Index.
About the Author: Dennis Lock is a freelance writer who specializes in project management. His exceptionally wide industrial experience has included subminiature electronics, defence systems, heavy engineering and international mining, with a progression of successful management positions in all of those industries. He has fulfilled consultancy assignments in Britain and overseas and in recent years has taught project management to masters degree students as an external lecturer at two British universities. Of over 30 books that he has written or edited, almost all have been published by Gower.
Reviews: '… As in the previous editions, the writing is always simple, clear and lucid, and the material is very logically organised. Students often comment that this book is the most readable of all the recommended books in my reading lists, and this is often the one which they choose to buy. I particularly dislike management jargon and this book is refreshingly free of it. It is a very practical book which appeals to the whole range of students I teach and I thoroughly recommend it. ' Dr Sally Brailsford, University of Southampton, UK
'This extensive and exhaustive book deals with almost every aspect of Project Management in its widest sense, including construction and civil engineering projects. … The author is obviously very experienced in the field, and in teaching the field. This is aided considerably by the liberal inclusion of useful and informative illustrative case studies. Again, the writing style of the author is to be commended in that these are easily digested and very helpful in adding context to the concepts discussed in the relevant sections.' Building Engineer, July 2003
'I have been a fan of Dennis Lock's clarity of thought and objectivity for many years and thoroughly recommend this latest edition as the definitive, readable and practical guide to hands on project management.' Marine Engineers Review, January 2004.
'The simplicity of the book makes it an ideal text for exploring some of the more complex facets of project management. The book is well established and has been successfully used in educational settings and by engineers looking to update their skills. A particular strength is the emphasis on cost and identification, which pervade most areas. The book does an admirable job in explaining complicated ideas in a simple way, which is what has made this title an institution for the last eight editions and 36 years.'
Dr. Darren Dalcher, Professor of Software Project Management and Head of Software Forensics Centre at Middlesex University and Visiting Professor of Computer Science at the University of Iceland
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