Ten Questions Your Sponsor Should Ask About Your Project Plan

Dave Paradi
Multi-Media Publications, Inc.
ISBN 1895186447
Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (8/06)

“Ten Questions Your Sponsor Should Ask About Your Project Plan” by Dave Paradi describes methods of keeping your project within budgetary and time parameters.  Paradi stresses the importance of using benchmark data in determining the realistic parameters of the project. 

The presentation of this material was rather dry.  I typically enjoy business-related CD’s, but this one could not keep my interest.  Paradi kept referring to Microsoft Project.  I do not use that software, so my attention dwindled further during these references.

Paradi did tell of ten points project managers need to have specific goals for; however, I had to take notes to fully comprehend the specific points.  This is not convenient when listening to the CD during a commute, as many will do.  Perhaps this CD needs to come with a list of the 10 points. 

A few of the points made were:  account for resource costs, account for time needed (including holidays and weekends), measure progress.  Many of the points mentioned were common sense, yet it is the simple things that are so often forgotten.

This CD is specifically for project managers who use Microsoft Project.  I do not think that many other individuals will find it meaningful.  I did appreciate the fact that Paradi mentioned benchmarking.  So often previous experiences are forgotten and not learned from.  That only leads to the reinvention of the wheel. 

So, should everyone listen to this CD?  No.  Should every manager listen to this CD?  No, not necessarily.  Every project manager that uses Microsoft Project could benefit from this CD; however, get out your pen and paper, because you will have to take notes.  This is not a CD to multi-task with.

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