This pocket guide provides an overview of the telecommunications environment as it has evolved over the past few years, illustrating the need for project management, the significance of project success to the companies, and the application of key project management processes within the telecom environment. Topics covered include: scope management, time management, cost management, procurement management, risk management, communications, quality, human resources, and Integration. It offers professionals a brief and accessible guide to managing telecommunication projects in the 21st century.

Table of Contents:
Preface ix Acronyms xiii Chapter 1 Evolution of The Telecommunications Industry 1 Monopoly Status 1 Competition for Long Distance Services 3 Competition for Local Services 4 Competition Starts to Spread 5 Internet and Multimedia Disrupt the Basic Networks 6 A New Telecom Environment 7 What About the Future? 10 Chapter 2 Why is PM Important, Especially in Telecommunications? 11 Team Diversity 11 Resource Limitations 12 Time Constraints and Limitations 12 Risk Management 12 Ensuring Quality 12 Scope Definition 13 Project Objectives 15 What About Telecom Projects? 17 Tehnologies 17 Services 18 Companies in the Business 18 Regulatory Environment 18 Successful Business Model 19 Internal Corporate Structures 19 Customers 19 The Best Way to Market 20 Service Models 20 Network Architecture 20 Conclusion 21 Chapter 3 Project Management Basics 25 Integration 31 Project Scope Management 32 Time Management 32 Cost Management 32 Procurement Management 33 Risk Management 33 Communications Management 33 Human Resources Management 34 Quality Management 34 Chapter 4 Getting Started on Your Project 37 Why Do Projects? 37 The Requirements 41 What Happens Before the Team Arrives? 42 Setting Project Objectives 44 General Description, Skills Analysis, and Stakeholders, and Risk Analysis 44 Chapter 5 Who Is Involved? 45 Project Sponsor 45 Stakeholders 46 Management 48 Functional Managers 48 The Type of Company Hosting the Project 49 Chapter 6 Setting Business and Project Objectives 51 SMART Objectives 52 Specific 53 Measurable 53 Achievable 53 Realistic 54 Time-Bound 54 Chapter 7 What Is to be Included? 55 Building the Charter 55 Scope Description 56 Scope Management Plan 64 Where Will the Resources Come From? 70 The Work Breakdown Structure 71 Chapter 8 Going Outside the Company for Products and Services 77 Definition of Requirements 78 Solicitation 78 RFI 78 RFP 80 RFQ 83 Vendor Selection 83 Contract Management 83 Chapter 9 Managing Risk in Telecom Projects 85 Risk Management 85 Contingency is Expected to be Spent 94 Chapter 10 Who Tells What to Whom? 97 Communications Management 97 General Communications 98 Chapter 11 Creating the Timelines 103 Task Duration 103 Dependencies 104 Finish–Start Dependency 105 Start–Start Dependency 105 Finish–Finish Dependency 105 Start–Finish Dependency 105 Mandatory and Discretionary Dependencies 108 Lags and Leads 108 Project Logic Diagram 109 Critical Path 112 Forward Pass 114 Backward Pass 116 Float 117 Showing the Schedule 118 Including Contingency 118 Collapsing the Schedule 121 Effort-Driven and Duration-Driven Tasks 122 And then . . . 123 Chapter 12 Managing the Costs 125 Types of Costs 127 Profitability Measures 128 Estimating the Costs 130 Project Budgets and Planning the Project Cost 132 Managing the Costs 139 Project Communications Planning and the Communications Matrix 139 Status Reporting 141 Meetings 142 Preparing the Agenda 143 Inviting the Right People 144 Informing the People of Their Roles at the Meeting 146 Using the Meeting Time Effectively 147 Motivating People to Communicate Properly 150 Electronic Tools for Communications 150 Monitor and Control 151 Some Suggestions 152 Chapter 13 Managing the Developments 155 Chapter 14 Managing the People 163 Organization Structures for Projects 164 Management Styles 167 Autocratic 168 Paternalistic 169 Democratic 169 Laissez-faire 169 Leadership 170 Team Building 172 Motivation 174 Conflict 175 Learning Organization 177 Managing the Workloads of the Team Members 178 Some Suggestions for Good Participation and Good Management 178 Chapter 15 What Is the Gain? 181 Good People 181 Understanding the Value of the Product 182 Clear Project Objectives 182 Clearly Defined Scope 182 Good Planning 183 Strong Change Control 183 Well-Connected Team 184 Effective Communication 184 References 185 Index 187