David Cleden

Dealing effectively with uncertainty requires today's project manager to be familiar with a broad spectrum of strategies, encompassing both 'hard' and 'soft' methods. This theme of unified thinking (i.e. the need to selectively draw upon a wide range of strategies in any given situation) will differentiate the book from its contemporaries. By picking up where traditional risk management techniques begin to fail, it brings together leading-edge thinking from a variety of disciplines and shows how these techniques can be used to conquer uncertainty in projects. The ability to make good decisions when faced with uncertainty is the real challenge. It is a universal truth that a decision is only as good as the information it is based on. But good information is often hard to come by, and all projects are vulnerable to the unknown and the unknowable. Thus, uncertainty becomes the sworn enemy of the project manager. Wherever we try to analyse, quantify, plan and act, uncertainty lies in wait to surprise us with its ambiguity and unpredictability. It lurks in every stage of the project lifecycle: in the planning (how long will this really take?), the initiation (this isn't the situation I expected!), the execution (who could have foreseen that happening?), and even the completion of a project (where are the expected benefits?). But managing uncertainty is a lot more than just applying risk management techniques. It requires a deep appreciation of how uncertainty arises and, by recognising its different guises, the appropriate strategies can be formulated. If we can learn how to reduce uncertainty, we can make better management decisions and increase the chances of the project succeeding. This book addresses five key questions: ¢ Why is there uncertainty in projects? ¢ How do you spot the symptoms of uncertainty, preferably at an early stage? ¢ What can be done to avoid uncertainty? ¢ What strategies can be used to deal with project uncertainty? ¢ How can both the individual and the organisation learn to cope more effectively in the future? The reader is assumed to be a either a project management professional, or a senior manager looking for ways to improve project management strategy within their organisation. As such, a foundation in project management basics is assumed, although not essential. The book then builds on this by exposing new ideas and concepts, and shows how these can be harnessed to tackle uncertainty in its many guises.

Managing Project Uncertainty

Calvin Demmer

Josh Schlossberg

Aaron Vlek

Thom Clink

J.M. Williams

Mickie Bolling-Burke

Rhema Sayers

N. Immanuel Velez

Bill Suboski

Celebrating our 9th year in publication! Each issue of the Bards and Sages Quarterly is compiled to bring readers an eclectic and entertaining collection of works from both new and established voices in the speculative fiction genres. In this issue, stories by Mickie Bolling-Burke, David Cleden, Thom Clink, Calvin Demmer, Matthew Harrison, Malcolm Laughton, Shannon M Metcalf, Rob Munns, L.D. Oxford, Jay Requard, Rhema Sayers, Josh Schlossberg, Bill Suboski, Jeff Stehman, N. Immanuel Velez, Aaron Vlek, and J.M. Williams.

Bards and Sages Quarterly (July 2017)

Matt Thompson

E. E. King

Wulf Moon

Sloane Leong

Mack Moyer

Brian Trent

Sarah Totton

Louis Evans

K. G. Anderson

Russell Dorn

Konstantine Paradias

Tom Pappalardo

J. B. Toner

Larry C. Kay

David F. Shultz

D. A. Campisi

Samson Stormcrow Hayes

Ingrid Garcia

Maureen Bowden

Brandon Butler

Caias Ward

Leah Miller

Megan Branning

Robert Walton

John Paul Davies

Philip John Schweitzer

Martin M. Clark

Third Flatiron Anthologies presents 28 short science fiction/fantasy/horror stories in the original anthology, "InfiniteLives: Short Tales of Longevity." Tales range from dark to playful,featuring speculative fiction on the themes of longevity, lifeextension, and immortality, as well as a flash humor section, "Grins& Gurgles."An international group of new and established contributors includes Brian Trent, Sloane Leong, Matt Thompson, J. B. Toner, Larry C. Kay, David F. Schultz, D. A. Campisi, Russell Dorn, Samson Stormcrow Hayes, Ingrid Garcia, Maureen Bowden, Brandon Butler, Caias Ward, Leah Miller, Megan Branning, Robert Walton, K. G. Anderson, Louis Evans, John Paul Davies, David Cleden, Tom Pappalardo, Philip John Schweitzer, Martin M. Clark, Wulf Moon, Mack Moyer, Konstantine Paradias, E. E. King, and Sarah Totton. Edited by Juliana Rew.

Short Tales of Longevity

Infinite Lives

At what stage in the process do commercial projects go wrong? Some of the worst problems (unrealistic objectives, faulty assumptions, and poorly understood constraints) are 'programmed in' at conception when the bid is written, long before the project manager is brought on board. If the bid is misconceived, no amount of clever project management is going to recover the situation. Involving the designated project manager at the bidding stage is becoming the norm in many commercial organizations. Some make the project manager the bid manager so they can direct all aspects of the project's conception. Getting the bid right is the essence of planning for project success, and is the main theme of this book. However, many project managers are unfamiliar with the pitfalls of competitive bidding and don't know how to balance a compelling sales message against a realistic delivery plan. Bid Writing for Project Managers will guide prospective project managers through the bid-writing lifecycle, providing comprehensive guidelines and numerous tips on how to craft a winning bid and how to set the project up with the best possible chance of success.

Bid Writing for Project Managers

L. Ron Hubbard

Rebecca Moesta

Mike Resnick

Christopher Baker

Andrew Dykstal

Rob Prior

Preston Dennett

Elise Stephens

Dean Wesley Smith

Rustin Lovewell

Kai Wolden

Mica Scotti Kole

Kyle Kirrin

Carrie Callahan

John Haas

Internationally acclaimed bestselling anthology of award-winning science fiction and fantasy short stories. 24 Award-Winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors and Illustrators Accompanied by Dean Wesley Smith, Rebecca Moesta, Mike Resnick, Rob Prior and Echo Chernik and Edited by David Farland The 35th collection of winners of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future competition features expertly crafted stories and art, spanning the gamut from hard core sci-fi to epic fantasy. Stories so fresh and new, they're 5–10 years ahead of the curve—the future is literally here and now. Each year, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests’ blue-ribbon judges search the world to discover and introduce to you the very best new talent in sci-fi and fantasy. Created by L. Ron Hubbard, whose commitment to help new writers and artists gave rise to the annual Writers of the Future anthologies—a launching pad for writers and artists who are sure to command our attention for decades to come. Wondrous and powerful tales from some of the world’s best new writers and illustrators. Learn how to write or improve your craft with tips from award-winning and bestselling author and editor Mike Resnick and New York Times bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard. Internationally renown artist, Rob Prior, shares tips of the trade for aspiring illustrators.

Bestselling Anthology of Award-Winning Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Stories

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35

David Cleden

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