Project Management Overview

In this chapter

• Clarify what project management is and "is not" (it's likely more than you think)
• Learn why projects are challenging to manage
• Understand why project management is the key to the future growth of any organization
• Learn why the future of project management is bright and why becoming a certified project manager may be a wise career move
• Review the latest trends in project management that may impact your first opportunity

Since your perceptions surrounding project management will vary depending upon work experiences, education, industry, and roles, it's important to establish some "common ground" before we venture down the road of learning what a project manager must do to be successful in his/her first opportunity.

This chapter provides the "common ground" by clarifying what constitutes project management and why project management is important to both your future and the future of your organization.