Project management in libraries : on time, on budget, on target

A recent study showed that only 53 percent of projects come in on budget and only 49 percent on schedule. So what does it take to be an on-budget, on-time finisher? Successful project management may seem like a quixotic pursuit, but it doesn't have to be. Searcy, a certified Project Management Professional as well as a librarian, takes readers through mastering the key skills that will make it happen: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing. Applying project management principles in a library-project context, this book provides to-the-point guidance on

running effective and productive meetings by using a checklist approach; treating people fairly while openly sharing information; ways to simplify workflows by choosing the most suitable software program; how to write a project charter; the agile concept of self-organizing teams; identifying risks and planning for the downside; managing scope creep by maintaining realistic expectations; and using a checklist to close projects so they stay closed.

Library staff at all levels will be feel confident planning and executing projects with Searcy's expert tutelage at hand.

The basics -- Characteristics of a project manager -- Meeting management -- Find and use the right tool for the job -- Initiating -- Getting to know your stakeholders -- The planning team -- Planning your deliverable -- Planning for risk -- Schedule planning -- Planning who will do the work -- Costs and budget planning -- Executing -- Monitoring and controlling -- Closing.