People have been undertaking projects since the earliest days of organized human activity. The hunting parties of our prehistoric ancestors were projects. Large complex projects such as the pyramids and the Great Wall of China were also projects. Even something as simple as creating a dinner is considered a project. We use the term “project” frequently in our daily conversations. Skills learned by your exposure to studying project management can be used in most careers as well as in your daily life.

Strong planning skills, good communication, the ability to implement a project to deliver the product or service while also monitoring for risks, and managing the resources will provide an edge toward your success. Project managers can be seen in many industry sectors including agriculture and natural resources; arts, media, and entertainment; building trades and construction; energy and utilities; engineering and design; fashion and interiors; finance and business; health and human services; hospitality, tourism, and recreation; manufacturing and product development; public and private education services; public services; retail and wholesale trade; transportation; and information technology.

In this book, you would explore various careers and some of how project management knowledge can be leveraged. This book covers the basics of project management. This includes the process of initiation, planning, execution, control, and closeout that all projects share.