Teamwork and project management (original) (raw)

Teamwork and Project Management 4 Karl A. Smith 7 Karl A. Smith that didn't work," retorted my colleague. "Well, then I'd call my friends in other companies to see if any of them had solved it." Again my colleague would say, "Suppose that didn't work." "Then I'd call some vendors to see if any of them had a solution." My colleague, growing impatient at not hearing a problem solution, would say, "Suppose that didn't work." At some stage in this interchange, the engineer would say, "Well, gee, I guess I'd have to solve it myself." To which my colleague would reply, "What percentage of the problems you encounter fall into this category?" Engineer after engineer replied, "About five percent"! Acknowledgments Many people deserve credit for guidance in this project. Michael B. Mahler, a graduate student in civil engineering at the University of Minnesota who I've taught with and worked with on project management for many years, provided enormous insight into the process of what will work for students and was a source of constant support and encouragement. Robert C. Johns co-taught the project management course with me a Minnesota and provided lots of good ideas. Anthony M. Starfield, co-creator of the first year course, How to Model It, and co-author of the book by the same title encouraged me to use the questioning format of the How to Model It book to engage the reader. The five manuscript reviewers provided terrific assistance. Holly Stark and Eric Munson, McGraw-Hill; and Byron Gottfried, Consulting Editor, initiated the idea and provided guidance throughout. A special note of thanks to my daughters, Riawa and Sharla Smith, who helped with the editing and graphics. A special acknowledgment to Michigan State University, which provided me with a wonderful place to work on this project during my sabbatical leave. Another goes to David and Teamwork and Project Management 8 Karl A. Smith Roger Johnson (whose cooperative learning model provides the theoretical basis for this book) for their great ideas, generosity, and steadfast support. Most of all I thank the hundreds of students who learned from and with me in project management courses for their patience, perseverance, wonderful suggestions and ideas, and interest and enthusiasm in project management and teamwork.