A simple system for managing even the most complex projects Project management can be a real pain, but doing it right can mean the difference between a business that soars and one that sinks. Painless Project Management makes it simple by cutting through the jargon, formulas, and needless complexity with an easy, step-based approach for managing virtually any project, big or small, from beginning to end. Veteran project managers McGhee and McAliney present a comprehensive guide to effective project management, complete with real stories and case studies from actual project managers. The authors reveal how the complexity of project management is not in the process itself, but in the people and organizational relationships that must also be managed. They boil down the basics of project management so you can design a simple, effective plan for any project and follow it through to a successful completion. Once you do that, they show you how to handle the people and issues that make project management such a challenge, including: * Communicating project plans to colleagues and top management * Delegating, organizing, and coordinating duties * Tracking and reporting on project status * Managing resources, budgets, and timelines * Changing tacks and goals on the fly * Dealing with project disruptions Includes downloadable forms at www.painlessprojectmanagement.info