Pick your cliché of choice here: "getting everyone on the same page," "singing from the same songbook," "dancing to the same beat," "pointed in the same direction," and "painting the picture." They all apply, and they all communicate the importance of getting the key project participants to agree on the answers to these seven basic project definition questions:
Gaining consensus on these questions is paramount to managing the organizational level factors that get projects in trouble (such as alignment with organization and management support) and to controlling key project level factors that impact project success: stakeholder expectations and scope management.
Part i. Project Management Jumpstart
Project Management Overview
The Project Manager
Essential Elements for any Successful Project
Part ii. Project Planning
Defining a Project
Planning a Project
Developing the Work Breakdown Structure
Estimating the Work
Developing the Project Schedule
Determining the Project Budget
Part iii. Project Control
Controlling a Project
Managing Project Changes
Managing Project Deliverables
Managing Project Issues
Managing Project Risks
Managing Project Quality
Part iv. Project Execution
Leading a Project
Managing Project Communications
Managing Expectations
Keys to Better Project Team Performance
Managing Differences
Managing Vendors
Ending a Project