Several large telecommunications corporations currently equate the functions performed by project managers with those executed by engineers. While some of their activities do overlap, project managers and engineers have very different jobs--managers manage and engineers engineer. In short, these professionals possess very different skill sets. But because companies continually ignore this fact, they continuously fail to most effectively use their resources for their competitive advantage. This article discusses three telecommunications projects that effectively employed the sponsoring company's project managers and engineers, matching their responsibilities with their skill set.

Effective communication is the most powerful tool a manager can use. This is especially true for project managers who are tasked with coordinating the efforts of every project member as well as maintaining an open dialog with senior executives. Helping professionals achieve a high-level of communications expertise is the goal of this second edition book and CD-ROM package. The book explains how to energize projects, create momentum, and achieve success by talking and listening to staff members. Moreover, it teaches how to effectively communicate project status and requirements to executive management. The valuable CD-ROM supplies the “tools” to do the job right… ready-to-use documents, forms, reports, and project templates that help ensure effective, clear, and consistent communication. This second edition also includes new changes from A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), Fifth Edition, as well as new material on evolving tools such as social media. As new technology has found its way to the marketplace, simple approaches from years gone by are modified for cloud-sharing tools, social media, and other considerations.

Effective project management tailored to the needs of the telecommunications industry "In our rapidly changing world, the information and communication technologies and services have an immense impact on virtually all aspects of our lives. . . . With his deep understanding of the telecommunication services, and his rich experiences in both standardization activities and teaching practice, [Dr. Sherif's] book provides a very clear analysis of development projects in telecommunication services. I believe the readers will find this book very useful and interesting." —Houlin Zhao, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau,International Telecommunication Union "Dr. Sherif's book is an important contribution to the project management literature. With the domination of the service economy in recent years, the book addresses the unique features of telecommunication services, a critical pillar of the service sector. Development projects in telecommunications require combining good knowledge of the fundamentals of project management with clear understanding of the complexities arising from fast-changing technology, deregulations, standards, accountability, and supply chain management difficulties. This book addresses the much-needed integrative approach very well." —Tarek Khalil, President, International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT) While there has been much written about project management, the vast majority of the literature focuses on industrial design and production. In Managing Projects in Telecommunication Services, Mostafa Hashem Sherif effectively demonstrates the unique requirements of projects in telecommunication services and, consequently, the benefits of an integrated approach to project management that is specifically tailored to the telecommunications industry. Managing Projects in Telecommunication Services draws from a wide range of disciplines, including organizational management, motivation, quality control, and software engineering. All the theory and practical guidance that an effective telecommunications project manager needs is provided. The text is divided into three main parts: Chapters 1 through 3 set forth the special characteristics of telecommunications projects, including technology life cycle, type of innovation, and project organization Chapters 4 through 10 cover the areas that the Project Management Institute has standardized in its publication A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), focusing on the issues specific to telecommunications. Chapters address scope, schedule and cost, information and communication, human resources, quality, vendor management, and risk Chapters 11 and 12 integrate and summarize all of the concepts for the planning and delivery of a project Chapters are loaded with examples and case studies, many from the author's personal experience, that demonstrate the benefits of good project management and the consequences of poor project management. Each chapter includes a summary of key points. References are also provided to facilitate further research and study. For project managers as well as students in telecommunications, this text is unsurpassed. It not only covers the theory and practice of effective project management, it also tailors its discussion specifically to the unique needs of the telecommunications industry. (PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)

According to the Project Management Institute, over 80 percent of a project manager’s job is communication—yet most project management books hardly discuss it. Communications Skills for Project Managers provides practical advice and strategies for ensuring success, even in the face of shifting organizational priorities, constantly evolving expectations, and leadership turnover. This important guidebook gives readers the skills they need to keep everyone in the loop. Readers will find out how they can: • keep those on the project team—as well as upper management—involved and informed • establish a plan for communication • effectively present to stakeholders • compete with other initiatives within the organization • convey reasons for change • and more Even a project that is brought in on time and on budget can be considered a failure if those outside a project team haven’t been kept informed. This book provides readers with the skills they need for ensured project success, every time.

This concise reference covers important aspects of project management. It explains many key concepts in layman's terms, provides tools for planning, organizing, tracking and managing projects and gives examples of various telecommunications projects from wireline and wireless providers, equipment vendors and component manufacturers.

Effective communication on projects is a challenging, ongoing process for project managers and stakeholders at all levels within an organization. Project managers experience the greatest challenge due to the nature of their position. They set up and regulate communications that support a project overall. Effective Communications for Pro