A Key Planning Resource

Industrial Megaprojects by Edward W. Merrow (Merrow, 2011)

This post is the fifth in a series of discussions regarding challenges in project planning and management situations.  In this series, we focus heavily on program / project planning and management.  This post addresses a major resource that can be highly useful in the planning and initial management of large and complex projects.

This resource is Industrial Megaprojects by Edward W. Merrow.   The subtitle is Concepts, Strategies, and Practices for Success.  This subtitle is particularly appropriate and compelling.

While the title is focused on “megaprojects,” the advice and guidance has value and merit in considering the planning and management of large and complex projects.  Smaller projects may be better guided by previous Project Professionals discussions.  Some of the key discussions are summarized in the previous post, PROJECT PLANNING (Part 4) Summary of Posts.

As presented on the dust cover of this fine book, “Mr. Merrow is the founder and CEO of Independent Project Analysis, Inc. (IPA), the world’s leading consulting firm evaluating billion-dollar megaprojects of national and international oil, chemical, pharmaceutical, and major mineral companies, and benchmarking their cost, schedules, safety, startup, and operational performance.”

While this lofty description can be both impressive and intimidating, the book has a wealth of information regarding project planning and initial execution. [Read more…]