Information Technology Project Management, 3rd Edition

IT companies undertake a wide variety of projects, ranging from software development and hardware installations to network upgrades and data management. In the 21st century, these functions are critical and require diligent supervision and time management. Project management techniques and methodologies vary according to the specific needs of an industry; in the IT sector, the primary purpose is to allocate and manage resources effectively to drive the organization toward its strategic goals.

Competition in the IT industry is fierce. Companies constantly adopt new technologies and methods to improve their market standing through superior project management. The core responsibility of a project manager is to define objectives, develop strategies to achieve them, and execute the plan while closely monitoring progress until the desired results are realized. Furthermore, a company can secure a significant competitive advantage if it possesses exclusive rights to technologies that enable it to provide superior products or services.

This edition bridges theory with successful real-world practices, offering an integrated focus on the most effective concepts, tools, and techniques available today. Starting with the fundamental characteristics of a project, the book guides you through IT project management strategies, essential skills, and implementation factors. It identifies the obstacles that hinder the project lifecycle and provides actionable ways to address these challenges.

As information technology becomes a staple of virtually every industry, the use of project management tools is becoming ubiquitous. This book helps you develop the leadership and management skills required in this ever-evolving field. As an IT manager, you must plan and organize your team's activities to deliver projects on time and within budget—skills that are in high demand worldwide. Covering the entire project lifecycle, this text explores project initiation, planning, scheduling, monitoring, and completion. Additionally, it provides detailed coverage of project networking, time and cost estimation, and robust risk assessment and management approaches.