Choosing the right people to carry out a project is essential to its success. When multiple projects are combined into a complex program, the human aspect becomes even more important. This book is the first to truly balance a complete account of the technical aspects of project and program management with a practical approach to understanding and developing the core competencies required to accomplish desired goals. On the technical side, this book is a complete introduction to predicting costs, setting schedules, and assessing risks. On the people side, it sheds new light on how to mold different personality types into a team, how to motivate the team's members, and how to produce extraordinary results. The author details the essential parts of the program management approach, describing the best way to define, organize, and schedule the work to be done, identifying risks and controlling costs during the whole process.
Dr. Springer currently serves as the Executive Director for Purdue University's Polytechnic Institute located in West Lafayette, Indiana. He has over thirty-five years of theoretical and industry-based practical experience from four disciplines: software engineering, systems engineering, program management, and human resources. Dr. Springer possesses a significant strength in pattern recognition, analyzing and improving organizational systems. He is internationally recognized, has contributed to scholarship more than 150 articles, presentations, books, and reviews on software development methodologies, management, organizational change, and program management. Dr. Springer sits on many university and community boards and advisory committees. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions; most recently he was awarded the Purdue University College of Technology Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy Award. Dr. Springer received his BS in computer science from Purdue University, and his MBA and doctorate in adult and community education with a cognate in executive development from Ball State University. He is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR and SHRM-SCP), in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), and in civil and domestic mediation. He is a State of Indiana registered domestic mediator.
Dr. Springer brings a unique and authoritative perspective to program and project management. He is a critical thinker who operates fluidly across changing or ambiguous situations. Having spent nearly 30 years in industry, Dr. Springer not only has extensive real-world experience, but, equally, has proven academic credentials through his many books, articles, presentations and the multitude of professionals he has encountered through teaching and facilitation. Dr. Springer brings his real-world experience from four unique disciplines to bear on every problem and perspective; software engineering, systems engineering, program management and human resources. He truly understands the breadth and depth of both the quantitative and qualitative nature of program/project management. Paul Clegg Director Global Talent Acquisition Raytheon Company Dr. Springer's extensive professional and academic experience provides significant breadth when he writes and teaches on program/project management. As well as his writing, his expertise is reflected in his classroom facilitation. His student reviews are always exemplary and his services sought by numerous colleges and industrial sectors. This book represents another insight into his depth of understanding. Cathy Garrison Senior Program Manager Krannert Executive Education Programs I'm delighted to see that my colleague and friend, Mitch Springer, has added to his most impressive body of work with the release of his new competency-based text on program/project management. And I'm not at all surprised that his new text takes this valued helpmate perspective. Having observed Mitch's teaching over the years in Purdue's legendary Engineering/Management program, I can attest that the learning environment he promotes is one of stimulating engagement, where all students are encouraged to get the very most out of each class in order to maximize their program/project management skill sets. In short, here's another great addition to the serious reader's collection of Mitch's valuable work. Mike Sheahan Executive Development Center (EDC) College of Business Administration University of Central Florida The author, Mitch Springer, is an enthusiastic teacher that has a passion for his work and deep understanding of his discipline through his formal education and years of work experience in industry. His latest writing effort is a comprehensive overview of program and project management which will serve as a thoughtful guide to the reader and increase your understanding through a simple approach that will engage the reader and increase comprehension. Dr. Gary Bertoline Purdue University Associate Dean, College of Technology Executive Director, Center for Professional Studies and Applied Research
