Fundamentals of Project Management, Third Edition

Chapter 8. Project Control and Evaluation

Every step taken up to now has been for one purpose—to achieve control of the project. This is what is expected of a project manager—that organization resources be managed in such a way that critical results are achieved.

However, there are two connotations to the word control, and it is important that we use the one that is appropriate in today’s world. One meaning of control is that of domination, power, command. We control people and things through the use of that power. When we say “Jump,” people ask, “How high?” At least they used to. It doesn’t work that well today.

I have previously discussed the fact that project managers often have a lot of responsibility but little authority. Let’s examine ...