Project Management Handbook (Management for Professionals)

This practical handbook offers a comprehensive guide to efficient project management. It pursues a broad, well-structured approach, suitable for most projects, and allows newcomers, experienced project managers and decision-makers to find valuable input that matches their specific needs. The Project Management Compass guides readers through various sections of the book; templates and checklists offer additional support. The handbook’s innovative structure combines concepts from systems engineering, management psychology, and process dynamics. This international edition will allow to share the authors' experience gained in many years of project work and over 2,000 project management and leadership seminars conducted for BWI Management Education in Zurich, Switzerland.

This is an excellent handbook for practical project management in today’s world.

Prof. Dr. Heinz Schelle, Honorary Chairman of the GPM (German Project Management Association)The authors’ many years in practical experience in setting up, implementing and managing projects shines through in this book. The book also reflects the current trend towards increased social competence. I am therefore pleased to recommend this book as a basis for certification in project management.

Dr. Hans Knöpfel, Honorary President of the SPM (Swiss Project Management Association)

Jürg Kuster, dipl. Ingenieur ETH (MSc Electrical Engineering)

Studied electrical engineering at the ETH in Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich). Spent over 11 years working as a manager and project manager for various companies in the ICT sector. Expert in Swiss exams for ICT project managers and business information specialists. Lecturer at several higher education institutions. From 2008 onwards Director of the BWI Management Weiterbildung at the ETH Zurich. His main interests are management training, project coaching, the development and introduction of company-wide project management standards, and training.

Eugen Huber, dipl. Organisator (MSc Business Planning)

Dipl. phil. I, Université de Neuchâtel; Masters in individual psychological counselling; Swiss graduate organiser; systemic solution-focused coach FHNW, EFQM assessor. Coach and trainer specialising in stress management. Many years of experience in project management, organisational and team development, working with large groups, and coaching. Management experience in various projects, in a range of service-sector companies and training institutions. Since 2000, Eugen has worked as an independent consultant, coach and trainer in German, French and English. Main interests: Designing and moderating change processes, leading projects, coaching individuals and teams.

Robert Lippmann, lic. oec. publ. (BSc Economics) University of Zurich

Business apprenticeship, studied business administration. Additional training in group dynamics (DAGG/SAAP) and industrial psychology, and a post-graduate qualification in business development (NDU SNU). Since 1990 working as a management trainer and consultant. Since 1996 as independent consultant, project manager, trainer and coach in the industrial, service and public sectors, working on project management, leadership, coaching, communication and moderation. In 2006 he took on a part-time role as coach and organisational development consultant for senior management in a large service-sector company.

Alphons Schmid, training manager

Public service apprenticeship. Began working for Swissair in 1961. 1967-1991 held various management roles for cabin staff: Behavioural change manager, setting up and running a management training scheme and third-party training, divisional manager for cabin crew. 1991-1996 company-wide responsibility for: project management, moderation, team development, leadership and communication. He has worked as an independent consultant and trainer since 1996. Areas of expertise: Coaching individuals and teams, conflict resolution and team development processes.

Emil Schneider, dipl. Ingenieur ETH (MSc Electrical Engineering)

Masters in electrical engineering at the ETH in Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich). Additional training in project management, quality management, international industrial management. Post-graduate at BWI/ETHZ. 10 years experience as a developer and project manager. 15 years management experience running development departments in large companies. Since 1993 he has been an independent management consultant, coach and trainer focusing on project management and quality in business processes.

Urs Witschi, dipl. Architekt ETH (MSc Architecture)

Studied architecture. Post-graduate at BWI/ETHZ. Additional training in systems consulting. Worked for many years as a management consultant with BWI/ETH, specialising in leadership and organisation. In 1995 he was one of the founders and partners in the ONION network, and in 2002 he was one of the founders of DRIFT Consulting GmbH, which specialises in project management and change management. He is active in the GPM (German Association for Project Management), where his main area of interest is the further development of project management.

Emil Schneider, dipl. Ingenieur ETH (MSc Electrical Engineering)

Masters in electrical engineering at the ETH in Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich). Additional training in project management, quality management, international industrial management. Post-graduate at BWI/ETHZ. 10 years experience as a developer and project manager. 15 years management experience running development departments in large companies. Since 1993 he has been an independent management consultant, coach and trainer focusing on project management and quality in business processes.

Urs Witschi, dipl. Architekt ETH (MSc Architecture)

Studied architecture. Post-graduate at BWI/ETHZ. Additional training in systems consulting. Worked for many years as a management consultant with BWI/ETH, specialising in leadership and organisation. In 1995 he was one of the founders and partners in the ONION network, and in 2002 he was one of the founders of DRIFT Consulting GmbH, which specialises in project management and change management. He is active in the GPM (German Association for Project Management), where his main area of interest is the further development of project management.

Roger Wüst, Ingenieur HTL, Betriebsing. STV (MSc Engineering)

Additional training in systemic organisational development, systemic consulting, coaching, organisational structures, management development. As a former BWI staff member, he worked in project management consultancy and training for the private and public sectors. Worked as an independent trainer, senior consultant and coach since 1996. Today, his preferred area of specialisation is organisational development, concept design and training of senior management, workgroups and organisations. He also provides assistance to various institutions and universities.