Mastering IT Project Management

Murali Chemuturi is a project management, information technology and software development subject matter expert, hands-on programmer, author, consultant and trainer. In 2001, he formed Chemuturi Consultants which offers information technology and software development consulting and training to organizations in the United States and India. He has over 15 years of engineering experience and more than 26 years of IT and software development experience. His most recent position prior to forming his own firm was Vice President of Software Development at Vistaar e-Business Pvt., Ltd. Mr. Chemuturi earned undergraduate degrees in both Electrical and Industrial Engineering, an MBA, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Methods & Programming. Chemuturi also has several years of academic teaching experience and has taught a variety of computer & IT courses such as COBOL, Fortran, BASIC, Computer Architecture, and Database Management Systems. Murali is a well published author in professional journals and has authored three highly regarded books. In 2009, Mr. Chemuturi wrote his first book, Software Estimation Best Practices, Tools, & Techniques, and followed with two other equally successful books in 2010, Mastering Software Project Management and Mastering Software Quality Assurance. Mr. Chemuturi remains active in professional societies as well. He is a senior member of IEEE, a senior member of the Computer Society of India, and a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering.

"Mastering IT Project Management is the definitive source of knowledge for managing all phases of IT infrastructure projects. Despite my decades of experience, this resource discusses several areas that I never considered and would have helped many of my projects go much smoother. This is a must read and heed!" -Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development & Quality Assurance, Computer Aid Inc.; "Mastering IT Project Management provides a full spectrum, step-by-step, how-to approach that arms both novices and gurus with best practices, tools, and techniques that allow them to emerge victorious."-Pat O'Toole, CMMI High Maturity Lead Appraiser

• Chapter 1-Introduction to IT Project ManagementIntroductionComponents of IT InfrastructureClassification of OrganizationsUnderstanding Project ManagementActivities to be Performed in an IT ProjectPhases of an IT ProjectTypes of IT ProjectsDistinction of IT Projects from Other ProjectsChapter 2-Approaches to IT Project ManagementProject Management ApproachesAd Hoc Methods-Based Project ManagementProcess Driven Approach to Project ManagementSchedule-Driven ApproachHybrid of Ad Hoc and Process-Driven ApproachWhat Is the Right Approach for Project Management? Is the Process-Driven Approach Right for You? What Process and How Much? Chapter 3-Feasibility Study and Project AcquisitionDo We Need a Feasibility Study in These Days? The First Decision-In-House or Outsource the Study? Steps in Conducting the Feasibility StudyProject ApprovalStrategies for Executing the IT ProjectsProject AcquisitionChapter 4-Sizing of IT ComponentsIntroduction to SizingSoftware First or Hardware? Availability of the SystemSizing of the ServerPower RequirementsSoftware SizingContractingChapter 5-Planning in IT Project ManagementIntroductionDefinition of PlanningTypes of Plans Prepared by Software Project ManagementQuality Control of PlanningScaling of Planning in IT Project ManagementFunds Flow PlanningChapter 6-Project ExecutionIntroductionProcurement of HardwareProcurement of System SoftwarePreparation of Specifications and Acquisition of Application SoftwareFinalize SubcontractorsReceive and Deploy ServersReceive Networking Hardware and Build the Communication NetworkReceive and Deploy the System SoftwarePrepare Master DataReceive and Deploy Application SoftwareDefine Systems and Procedures for Running the OperationsRecruiting and Training Personnel for OperationsProcure Consumables for the Initial OperationContract/Contractor ManagementSetup Configuration Management ProcessTrain End Users in Operating the SystemConduct Trial RunsChangeover to New SystemInitiate Maintenance When Would All These Actions Be Taken? How about Quality Control? CoordinationChapter 7-Project Control in IT Project ManagementIntroductionSchedule ControlCost ControlQuality ControlProductivity ControlTools and Techniques for Project ControlProgress Monitoring MeetingsMetricsEarned Value AnalysisAuditsChapter 8 - Cash ManagementIntroductionElements of Cash ManagementBudgetingCash ManagementChapter 9-Quality Assurance in IT Project ManagementIntroductionEnvironment Conducive to QualityOrganizational ProcessStandards and GuidelinesMeasurement and MetricsVerificationInspectionsValidation AuditsChapter 10-Project ClosureIntroductionWhen Does a Project Really Close? Project Closure ActivitiesDocumentation of Best PracticesDocumenting the Lessons Learned from the ProjectCollect, Derive, and Deposit the Final Project MetricsConduct a Knowledge-Sharing Meeting with Peer Project ManagersDeposit the Project Records with the PMOProject PostmortemPerformance Appraisals of the Project TeamRelease of the Project ManagerClose the ProjectOrganizational Role in Project ClosureChapter 11-Pitfalls and Best Practices in Project ManagementIntroductionOrganizational-Level Pitfalls in Project ManagementPitfalls and Best Practices at the PM LevelAppendix A-Management for Project ManagersAppendix B-Decision Making for Project ManagersAppendix C-People ManagementAppendix D-Introduction to PERT/CPMAppendix E-Problem ResolutionAppendix F-Stakeholder Expectation ManagementAppendix G-SchedulingAppendix H-AbbreviationsAppendix I-Templates for IT Project Management