Approaches Project Management from a balanced perspective. The text is developed around a philosophy of a project-driven organization committed to continuous improvement and organizational learning. The text directs attention to the needed linkage between projects and organizational strategy. Many project management textbooks emphasize the technical aspects of the subject, while providing scant attention to the human element in projects. This text succeeds in redressing the balance by treating both the technical and the behavioral aspects of the subject in nearly equal parts. Such a balance is possible because of the complementary backgrounds of the authors: Gray, a specialist in project management systems with an operations background, provides strong technical coverage of project management. Larson, whose professional background is in organizational behavior, brings a distinctive behavioral perspective to the subject. This holistic, balanced perspective is an excellent primer for the 45,000 plus PMI members who may be considering to sit for the Project Management Institute Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) certification exam!

Emphasizes Project Management Process: Other project management textbooks focus on what to do and how to do it. Gray and Larson do this but also emphasize why a particular solution should be implemented. As a result, the reader is encouraged not only to master practical skills of implementation but also to understand why the approach will or will not work in their situational environment.

Microsoft Project: Each copy of the book is packaged with a student version of Microsoft Project. This software is a nice complement to the book's applied approach. Two extended computer exercises, Silver Zuma and Conveyor Belt Project, are included in an appendix to the text. These exercises require the application of text tools and techniques that span steps from defining the project through controlling the project using earned value. These case exercises allow the student to immediately apply the tools and software to their own real world projects. While there are many project management software options, Microsoft Project is one that the students, as managers, will likely have access.

Selective Coverage of the Tools, Techniques, and Concepts: Gray and Larson have taken care to cover only those tools, techniques, and concepts that have practical relevance to today's project managers. All of the tools and techniques assume the activity-on-node (AON) format used by nearly all practitioners. The transition from the classroom to a working environment should be close to seamless.

"Snapshot From Practice" Boxes: Each chapter features brief, relevant examples that deal with project management issues and challenges. This is one of the many advantages of having authors who have consulted and trained project managers around the world. There are many contemporary examples for the students to read which bring managing projects to life.

Case Studies: There is typically at least one case study per chapter. These short case studies offer a detailed look at specific, relevant project situations and require some critical analysis and response to the issue/problem.

Exercises: The exercises at the end of each chapter provide a project scenario and then ask the reader to offer possible approaches or responses to the scenario situation. This feature is also a nice complement to the applied and practical approach the authors have taken.

Chapter Flow Chart: Each chapter begins with an overview flow-chart; this chart provides the reader with a roadmap for what they have read, what they will read, and how all the parts of the text are linked together.

Complete Supplements Package: The text contains a student CD-ROM which includes quizzes, outline notes, video clips, video tutorials, PowerPoint slides and selected exercises with answers. For instructors using the text in their project management course, an Instructor's CD-ROM and a separate printed Instructor's Resource Manual are available. The Instructor's CD-ROM includes the Instructor's Resource Manual, Test Bank, and PowerPoint transparencies. The Instructor's Resource Manual includes chapter objectives, chapter outlines, and teaching notes for each case, exercise, and review question. The Manual also includes suggested cases to supplement the text, sample class schedules and syllabi, transparency masters, and discussion resources for the Silver Zuma and Conveyor Belt Project. MS project files are available on the instructor side of this website.