Capital Projects: What Every Executive Needs to Know to Avoid Costly Mistakes and Make Major Investments Pay Off

by Paul H Barshop

A real-world framework for driving capital project success Capital Projects  provides an empirically-based framework for capital project strategy and implementation, based on the histories of over 20,000 capital projects ranging from $50,000 to $40 billion. Derived from the detailed, carefully normalized database at preeminent project consultancy IPA, this solid framework is applicable to all types of capital investment projects large and small, in any sector, including technology, life sciences, petroleum, consumer products, and more. Although grounded in empirical research and rigorous data analysis, this book is not an academic discussion or a conceptual dissertation; it's a practical, actionable, on-the-ground guide to making your project succeed. Clear discussion tackles the challenges that cause capital projects to fail or underperform, and lays out exactly what it takes to successfully manage a project using real-world methods that apply at any level. Businesses report that 60 percent of their projects fail to meet all business objectives, and IPA's database shows that projects' final average net present  value undershoots initial estimates by 28 percent. This book provides concrete, actionable solutions to help you avoid the pitfalls and lead the way toward a more positive outcome. When capital projects fail, it is almost always preventable. Inefficiency, underestimated timelines, and unforeseen costs are the primary weights that drag a project down―and they are all avoidable with good management. Capital Projects gives you the insight and practical tools you need to drive a successful project.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2016

Reviews

[Jorge Nuño Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro

Muy didáctico y con ejemplos claros sobre los problemas en distintos proyectos. Hace recomendaciones muy claras de cómo los patrocinadores de proyectos pueden mejorar el desempeño de los equipos que preparan proyectos. Muy recomendable para ejecutivos que tiene. A su cargo la decisión de llevar a cabo algún proyecto.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent airplane book on basics of stage-gate process and basic tools from the executive point of view. Supported by IPA's unparalleled empirical research (an extra start as I got an acknowledgement :). More from process industry POV, but good reading for Infrastructure industry where stage-gate is still playing catch up.

[Kerry Trombley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Must read for any executive who is new to the project management process. However, it is a simplified overview of project management best practices, and doesn’t go into depth on any specific topic. It was good as a refresher about all the things a project project should have.