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Newer Version Available
Cover of Project Management: from Simple to Complex v1.0
Published: 
May 2010
Page Count: 
242
ISBN (Digital): 
978-1-4533-2704-3

Project Management: from Simple to Complex

Version 1.0
By Russell Darnall and John M. Preston

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In a world that is becoming more virtual, more global, and more complex, the project manager's ability to function in this environment becomes critical to the success of the project. Project Management from Simple to Complex explores project management within this complex, virtual, and global environment.


This is not a standard textbook that was adapted to the new publishing paradigm; it was designed from the beginning to utilize its capabilities. The book is written in collaboration by an expert in Project Management—Russell Darnall—and an expert in writing instructional textbooks and using technology for communicating online—John Preston—to create a unique learning environment that prepares students to manage projects in a global, multicultural, and online environment.


Project Management from Simple to Complex features a new model for managing projects, as well as, exploration into the personal dynamics of project management and the role those dynamics play in project outcomes.

  • About the Authors
  • Project Management in a Complex World

    • Chapter 1: Introduction to Project Management

  • 1.1 Project Management Defined
  • 1.2 Project Defined
  • 1.3 Project Context
  • 1.4 Key Skills of the Project Manager
  • 1.5 Introduction to the Project Management Knowledge Areas
  • 1.6 Exercises

    • Chapter 2: Project Profiling

  • 2.1 Using a Project Profile
  • 2.2 Project Profiling Models
  • 2.3 Complex Systems and the Darnall-Preston Complexity Index
  • 2.4 Darnall-Preston Complexity Index Structure
  • 2.5 Exercises

    • Chapter 3: Project Phases and Organization

  • 3.1 Project Phases
  • 3.2 Project Organization
  • 3.3 Using the Darnall-Preston Complexity Index to Measure Organizational Complexity
  • 3.4 Exercises

    • Chapter 4: Understanding and Meeting Client Expectations

  • 4.1 Including the Client
  • 4.2 Understanding Values and Expectations
  • 4.3 Dealing with Problems
  • 4.4 Nurturing a Feeling of Satisfaction
  • 4.5 Exercises

    • Chapter 5: Working with People on Projects

  • 5.1 Working with Individuals
  • 5.2 Working with Groups and Teams
  • 5.3 Creating a Project Culture
  • 5.4 Exercises

    • Chapter 6: Communication Technologies

  • 6.1 Types of Communication
  • 6.2 Selecting Software
  • 6.3 Exercises

    • Chapter 7: Starting a Project

  • 7.1 Project Selection
  • 7.2 Project Scope
  • 7.3 Project Start-Up
  • 7.4 Alignment Process
  • 7.5 Communications Planning
  • 7.6 Exercises

    • Chapter 8: Project Time Management

  • 8.1 Types of Schedules
  • 8.2 Elements of Time Management
  • 8.3 Critical Path and Float
  • 8.4 Managing the Schedule
  • 8.5 Project Scheduling Software
  • 8.6 Exercises

    • Chapter 9: Estimating and Managing Costs

  • 9.1 Estimating Costs
  • 9.2 Managing the Budget
  • 9.3 Exercises

    • Chapter 10: Managing Project Quality

  • 10.1 Quality and Statistics
  • 10.2 Development of Quality as a Competitive Advantage
  • 10.3 Relevance of Quality Programs to Project Quality
  • 10.4 Planning and Controlling Project Quality
  • 10.5 Assuring Quality
  • 10.6 Exercises

    • Chapter 11: Managing Project Risk

  • 11.1 Defining Risk
  • 11.2 Risk Management Process
  • 11.3 Project Risk by Phases
  • 11.4 Project Risk and the Project Complexity Profile
  • 11.5 Exercises

    • Chapter 12: Project Procurement and Closure

  • 12.1 Identifying the Need for Resources Outside the Organization
  • 12.2 Procurement Plan
  • 12.3 Selecting the Type of Contract
  • 12.4 Procurement Process
  • 12.5 Project Closure
  • 12.6 Exercises
    • Instructor’s Manual

    Instructor’s Manual

    The Instructor’s Manual guides you through the main concepts of each chapter and important elements such as learning objectives, key terms, and key takeaways. Can include answers to chapter exercises, group activity suggestions, and discussion questions.

    Instructor’s Manual

    PowerPoint Lecture Notes

    PowerPoint Lecture Notes

    A PowerPoint presentation highlighting key learning objectives and the main concepts for each chapter are available for you to use in your classroom. You can either cut and paste sections or use the presentation as a whole.

    PowerPoint Lecture Notes

    Test Item File

    Test Item File

    Need assistance in supplementing your quizzes and tests? Our test-item files (in Word format) contain many multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions.

    At FlatWorld, we take pride in providing a range of high-quality supplements alongside our titles, to help instructors teach effectively. Supplements are available for instructors who have registered their adoption with us. If you need to review or preview something specific, please contact us.


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    Russell Darnall Walden University

    Russell W. Darnall has more than fifteen years managing large projects in the U.S., Ireland, India, and South America. He was a reviewer on the 1996 edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) the helped standardize the definitions of the field. He has written two books on project management including The World's Greatest Project that was published by the Project Management Institute and is a sought-after speaker for International Conferences on project management. Darnall won the Educator of the Year award 2004-2005 from the South Carolina Technical Education Association.

    John M. Preston Eastern Michigan University

    John M. Preston is an Associate Professor at Eastern Michigan University in the Technology Management program in the College of Technology. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty books on using computer software and on the impact of technology on society. His work includes portions of the Go! textbook series for MS Office 2003 and Computer Literacy for the IC3 2005 and 2009 standards using both MS Office and OpenOffice.org. He wrote Computers in a Changing Society (2005) and Living Online (2009). Preston won the Educator of the Year award from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) in 1994.
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