Compared to the original Project Manager's Partner, the second edition has a completely restructured introduction to project management (PM) basics, presenting the reader with just enough background on the field of PM to provide a foundation for using the tools. Part I concludes by providing readers with a hands-on assignment designed to help them develop a unique Project Life Cycle as the foundation for a project they may be planning. Building on this unique life cycle, Part II provides another assignment which encourages readers to identify which of the Key Project Manager Action Items in Part III they will need to start planning their projects &emdash; so the emphasis on hands-on performance begins early!

This edition also includes an entirely new discussion (with a samples and worksheets) on the distinction between estimating effort versus estimating durations for activities.

Finally, the author has drawn on his recent experiences implementing the Partner in training and consulting engagements to create many powerful new PM tools (guidelines, checklists, worksheets). In addition to all of the tools and examples found in the original Partner, this second edition contains 25 new items, bringing the new Partner’s total number of tools to support project management to 57!