Introduction

One of the keys to an organization’s success is the ability to effectively manage its projects. Regardless of the size or type of project you’re managing, you need a solid, realistic plan. You then need to manage your plan closely to ensure that everyone involved is on track and in sync, that every step along the way is on schedule, and that you ultimately finish on time and on budget with a positive end result.

Many professionals whose specialty lies in an area outside of project management find that traditional project software is too complex or too difficult to involve team members in multiple locations. Basecamp offers an alternative: online, collaborative project management. With online applications such as Basecamp, there is no software to download, install, or maintain. Everyone involved in a project can log in from a computer, netbook, or mobile device to update and view project progress.

This book targets readers who actively manage projects with Basecamp (referred to as the account owner and administrators), but other Basecamp project team members who update and view their progress in the system can also benefit from its content.

Sams Teach Yourself Basecamp in 10 Minutes is designed to get you up and running on Basecamp as quickly as possible. It introduces you to essential project management concepts in plain English and focuses on real-world techniques for ensuring project success. Because online applications such as Basecamp roll out new features on a regular basis, the features available to you might vary from what’s covered in this book. The companion website, however, will help keep you updated on what’s new with Basecamp. For now, turn to Lesson 1, “Getting Started with Basecamp,” to begin your journey with this powerful project management tool.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for you if...

• You’re new to project management and want to manage your projects online.

• You want to become productive on Basecamp as quickly as possible and are short on time.

Companion Website

This book has a companion website online at http://www.patricerutledge.com/basecamp.

Visit the site to access the following:

• Book updates

• News about Basecamp enhancements and features

• Other books and courses that might be of interest to you

Conventions Used in This Book

The Sams Teach Yourself series has several unique elements that will help you as you are learning more about Basecamp. These include the following: