The purpose of this book is to describe how some of the most talented modern project managers
manage projects, why they do it the way they do, and what types of computer tools they use to do it.
Included with this book is a project management tool set called Modern Project that provides tools
for doing all the project management tasks discussed in this book. It can be installed on a personal
computer and used to help you learn about project management or to manage real-world projects.
While project management is practiced as a sophisticated profession in some companies, it is still,
unfortunately, misunderstood in others. Even where project management is practiced professionally,
the theory behind it is often misunderstood, causing it to be practiced mechanically, rather than
artistically. Modern project managers need sound management skills, as they always have. But the
current generation of project managers requires theoretical and technical skills that were virtually
unknown not long ago and that are continually growing more complex.