The "Dummies Series" book, Project Management for Dummies, by Stanley E., 2001), is, in my opinion, a relatively easy-to-read (although also somewhat structurally fragmented in places), step-by-step "how-to" book, for either current or prospective project managers, with or without experience. In life, every individual has projects to complete - usually a never-ending series of them, in fact, and often more than one project to complete simultaneously. One's projects may be personal or professional; voluntary or required. They may be for our selves alone; for friends or family; for churches, clubs, or communities; special events; or for colleagues; companies, or employers. .

             As the author concurs, in his "Introduction" to the text:.

             Projects have been around since ancient times. Noah .

             built the ark, Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona .

             Lisa, Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine - all .

             projects. . . . Why then, is the topic of project .

             management suddenly of such great interest today? The .

             answer is simple. The audience has changed and the .

             stakes are higher. (p. 1).

             Management projects in particular, however, as Portny also points out, within Chapter 1, must meet three key criteria; they must have (1) "Specific outcomes";(2) "Definite start and end dates", and (3) Established budgets" (p. 10). Further, as that chapter mentions, project management "includes three basic operations" (p. 12), which are: (1)planning; (2)organizing; and (3) control (Portny).

             In management today, for managers at all levels, completing projects; meeting project goals; and meeting project deadlines, are more important, as skills, aptitudes, and professional achievements, than ever before, especially within today's super competitive business environment. As Portny also states at the outset: "Successful organizations create projects that produce desired results in established timeframes with assigned resources" (p.