Strategic Project Management Made Simple Book Summary - Strategic Project Management Made Simple Book explained in key points
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Strategic Project Management Made Simple summary

Terry Dean Schmidt

Solution Tools for Leaders and Teams

4.1 (155 ratings)
15 mins

Brief summary

Strategic Project Management Made Simple by Terry Dean Schmidt is a practical guide that helps project managers develop and implement effective strategies. It offers valuable insights and tools for overcoming common project management challenges.

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    Strategic Project Management Made Simple
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    Your strategic foundation

    Laying a solid strategic foundation is crucial to project success. To start, you need to define your objectives and link them in an “if-then” logic flow. The Logical Framework Approach, often shown as a LogFrame matrix, can help you here. It’s a tool for structured project planning and management that enables you to clearly outline a project’s main objectives and track their progress. 

    Here's a simplified structure of a LogFrame matrix:

    In your first row, your goal encompasses the broader objective the project aims to contribute to. This is usually at the company level – where are you heading in the long term?

    Next up is your purpose, or outcome – the direct impact of the project. You’ll get a little more specific here. Why are you doing this project, and how does it support your longer term goals? 

    Third are your outputs, which are the specific results or products that need to be produced to accomplish the purpose. Outputs are tangible deliverables that are totally in your team’s control.

    In your final row, list your activities – the tasks that need to be done to achieve the outputs. These are your specific, day-to-day actions.

    For each of these components, you’re going to look at four strategic questions to help you define the objectives, measurement metrics, assumptions, and specific plans of the project: What are you trying to accomplish, and why? How will you measure success? What conditions must exist? And how will you get there?

    But before we dive into each of these critical questions, let’s talk about who’s going to be involved in answering them: the project stakeholders. 

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    What is Strategic Project Management Made Simple about?

    Strategic Project Management Made Simple (2009) is a guide outlining how to develop clear and impactful strategies for projects of all sizes. It offers a practical framework for managing stakeholders, reducing risk, and building in learning cycles so you can adapt plans amid changing conditions.

    Strategic Project Management Made Simple Review

    Strategic Project Management Made Simple (2009) offers valuable insights into managing projects effectively and achieving successful outcomes. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides practical strategies for managing projects, helping readers navigate complex tasks and deliver results.
    • With its step-by-step approach and real-life examples, the book offers readers a clear understanding of project management principles.
    • The author's engaging writing style keeps readers captivated, ensuring that the book is anything but boring.

    Who should read Strategic Project Management Made Simple?

    • Executives and strategic planners
    • Project managers
    • Business owners and entrepreneurs

    About the Author

    Terry Schmidt is an author, educator, and speaker with expertise in strategic planning, project management, and leadership development. He has decades of experience advising organizations worldwide and currently teaches at UCLA and MIT.

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    Strategic Project Management Made Simple FAQs 

    What is the main message of Strategic Project Management Made Simple?

    Strategic Project Management Made Simple emphasizes the importance of effective project management for achieving success.

    How long does it take to read Strategic Project Management Made Simple?

    The reading time for Strategic Project Management Made Simple varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.

    Is Strategic Project Management Made Simple a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Strategic Project Management Made Simple is a valuable read for professionals looking to enhance their project management skills and achieve successful outcomes.

    Who is the author of Strategic Project Management Made Simple?

    The author of Strategic Project Management Made Simple is Terry Dean Schmidt.

    What to read after Strategic Project Management Made Simple?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Strategic Project Management Made Simple, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Transforming Project Management by Duane Petersen
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    • Management Mess to Leadership Success by Scott Jeffrey Miller
    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
    • Extremely Hardcore by Zoë Schiffer
    • The Art of Conflict-Free Negotiations by Halbert Ward
    • Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
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