Used extensively by several universities since 2003
“I own and have read many project management books and in my view, this book is the best hand-on guide to project management covering all elements in an easy to digest manner.”
— Prof Marco Angermeier, Biberach University of Applied Science, Germany
“I could not put the book down … what made [it] such a pleasure is that I understood it so easily. Everything in the book makes sense”
— Sandra Millar
“…an invaluable source of information”
— Dave Stebbing, Projects Superintendent, Beatrix Gold Mine
“I do enjoy the manner in which the book is written, specifically for MBA students who must focus on application… very practical yet enough theoretical base… well done!”
— Giyose Dorrington, Nelson Mandela University Business School
This prescribed book is written by some of the lecturers presenting the Programme In Project Management (PPM).
Since 2003 the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Editions of this book have been used extensively in teaching several courses. This provided the opportunity of improving and updating the material to bring you this state-of-the-art Fourth Edition.
The widespread use of the book enables the publishers to offer it at a most competitive price.
The book is written by South Africans, for South Africans; readers relate easily to the idiom, language and cases.
It provides a structured approach and practical tools that are essential for project managers to develop skills that are essential in all spheres of business and government.
Project management draws heavily on a number of knowledge areas that are quite dissimilar; from “hard”, technical aspects, such as risk analysis and scheduling to “soft” disciplines such as teamwork, leadership and communication. The book has therefore been written by nine experienced practitioners with complementary backgrounds, experience and qualifications. In addition to academic backgrounds that ensure credibility, the authors all have decades of practical, professional experience.
The practical approach makes internationally accepted knowledge areas of project management relevant to the South African context. In addition to practical hints, it refers to the latest PMBoK standard and to the PRINCE2 methodology. It includes case studies, short stories about real projects, and end-of-chapter questions and problems. Since 2003, these have proven to be of great value to lecturers.
A new chapter was added on The Business Context of Project Management addresses strategic, business-related aspects of projects such as Project Portfolio Management.
Several universities and college courses have been using the book on undergraduate modules, post-graduate modules in engineering and commerce (including MBA) as well as on continuing education programmes.
Tutor material such as PowerPoint presentations and some solutions to problems are available to lecturers who adopt the book for relatively large classes. The publishers, editor and authors could also interact in a supportive role with lecturers prescribing the book.
Chapter 1: The Nature of Projects and Project Management
Chapter 2: Planning the Project Lifecycle in Phases
Chapter 3: Structuring the Organisation for Project Work
Chapter 4: Initiating and Defining the Project
Chapter 5: Identifying Work, Responsibilities and Roles
Chapter 6: Project Scheduling
Chapter 7: Advanced Scheduling and Network Analysis
Chapter 8: Project Control
Chapter 9: The Business Context of Projects
Chapter 10: Project Cost Management
Chapter 11: Project Quality Management
Chapter 12: Project Management and ISO 9001
Chapter 13: Project Human Resources Management
Chapter 14: Aspects of Labour Law for the Project Manager
Chapter 15: Project Communications Management
Chapter 16: Project Risk Management
Chapter 17: The Project Manager and the Law of Contract
Chapter 18: Project Procurement and Contract Management
The books can be purchased from most academic bookstores in South Africa. This book is not available in e-book format.
Book orders can be placed online at Van Schaik: www.vanschaik.com or Protea Bookshop: www.proteaboekwinkel.com.
Only orders for 10 or more books can be placed at Funda Project Management (Pty) Ltd, please email Karen at
This book consists of the initial eight chapters of the book Project Management - a Multi-disciplinary Approach.
This book is written by Prof Herman Steyn, the lecturer of the Online Short Course on Project Management Principles, Practices and Scheduling.
Learn about projects, the project lifecycle, organizational structures in project environments, project scope management, work breakdown structures, project scheduling and project control, including Earned Value.
Chapter 1: The Nature of Projects and Project Management
Chapter 2: Planning the Project Lifecycle in Phases
Chapter 3: Structuring the Organisation for Project Work
Chapter 4: Initiating and Defining the Project
Chapter 5: Identifying Work, Responsibilities and Roles
Chapter 6: Project Scheduling
Chapter 7: Advanced Scheduling and Network Analysis
Chapter 8: Project Control
Edyta Kostanek of UCL mentions that the book masterfully blends theoretical frameworks with practical application.
Shankar Sankaran of the University of Technology Sydney mentions the systems view of the book and that its coverage goes beyond engineering, business, and technology to the application of projects to a wide variety of applications in a 'projectified society'.
Mark Calabrese, of the University of Central Florida, says "Project Management for Engineering, Business and Technology" is robust, complete, and easy to follow. I highly recommend this textbook for anyone teaching engineering, business, or technology project management/engineering. I also recommend it as a 'keeper' for students who will be guiding projects in the future."
Martijn Leijten at the Delft University of Technology describes the book as "...one of the most comprehensive textbooks in the field. Nicholas and Steyn explain the matter in a readable and easy-to-understand way, illustrated with interesting examples. The authors combine the 'hard matter' of project management with relevant behavioural aspects. Overall, a useful work for anyone new to the field or as reference for the more advanced project manager."
Taryn Bond-Barnard of Stellenbosch University says, "As a postgraduate lecturer, I find Project Management for Engineering, Business, and Technology a comprehensive and indispensable resource. The numerous and detailed case studies offer relatable, real-world insights that are not only beneficial for students but also intriguing for experienced project managers looking to deepen their understanding. I highly recommend this book for anyone serious about mastering project management in engineering and technology."
Ramona Trestian of Middlesex University says: "Project Management for Engineering, Business, and Technology is a very comprehensive textbook that addresses project management across all industries. This textbook has the potential to be used as a tool to close the gap between academia and industry. This is done using real use case studies that reflect real scenarios from the industry. Thus, the textbook is suitable for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in project management, and it can also be used as a reference point by practicing project managers across various industries."
Project Management for Engineering, Business and Technology 7th edition by John M Nicholas of Loyola University Chicago and Herman Steyn of the University of Pretoria is a highly regarded textbook that addresses project management across all industries. First covering the essential background, from origins and philosophy to methodology, the bulk of the book is dedicated to concepts and techniques for practical application. Coverage includes project initiation and proposals, scope and task definition, scheduling, budgeting, risk analysis, control, project selection and portfolio management, program management, project organization, and all-important "people" aspects—project leadership, team building, conflict resolution, and stress management.
The systems development cycle is used as a framework to discuss project management in a variety of situations, making this the go-to book for managing virtually any kind of project, program, or task force. The authors focus on the ultimate purpose of project management—to unify and integrate the interests, resources and work efforts of many stakeholders, as well as the planning, scheduling, and budgeting needed to accomplish overall project goals.
Learn more about this book in our news article about its release.
Part I Philosophy and Concepts:
1. What is Project Management?
2. Systems Approach
Part II Project Life Cycle:
3. Project Life Cycle and Project Conception
4. Project Definition and System Definition
5. Project Execution and Closeout
Part III Systems and Procedures for Planning and Control:
6. Basic Project Planning Techniques
7. Project Schedule Planning and Networks
8. Advanced Project Network Analysis and Scheduling
9. Project Cost and Budgeting
10. Project Quality Management
11. Project Risk Management
12. Project Procurement Management and Contracting
13. Project Monitoring and Control
14. Agile, Lean, and Hybrid Project Management
Part IV Organizational Behavior:
15. Project Organizational Structure and Integration
16. Project Roles and Stakeholders
17. Leadership, Teamwork, and Conflict
Part V Project Management in the Corporate Context:
18. Project Meta-management and Program Management
19. Project Selection and Portfolio Management
20. Managing International Projects and Megaprojects
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On successful completion of the PPM, suitable candidates may be eligible to apply for the professional designation of Project Manager (PM) conferred by Project Management South Africa (PMSA). PMSA is the SAQA recognized professional body representing the interests of project managers across sectors.
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