"This classic guide enables you to learn from the successes and failures of leading companies, explore new cost control and risk management techniques . . . and obtain... read more

"This classic guide enables you to learn from the successes and failures of leading companies, explore new cost control and risk management techniques . . . and obtain the information needed to study for the PMI Certification exam."
-The Design-Build Institute of America
"This book is more like an encyclopedia of project management than simply a textbook . . . Once you've been through this text, it will become a well-used reference on your bookshelf. Somewhere inside, Dr. Kerzner has addressed at least a portion of whatever you're looking for."
-Dr. Don Shanfelt, PMP
E-Commerce PM for WorldCom, and adjunct IT professor in Colorado Springs Project management at its best-a banner edition of the landmark reference This latest edition of the bestselling "bible" of project management brings outstanding coverage of the basic principles and concepts of project management right up to date with the latest developments in the field. Written by one of the best-known and respected authorities on the subject, it is essential reading for today's and tomorrow's professionals involved in project management. It covers every key aspect of the subject, from the intricate framework of organizational behavior and structure that can determine project success to the planning, scheduling, and controlling processes vital to effective project management. New features include:
* Up-to-date coverage of global project management, the project management maturity model, "six sigma", and conflict resolution modes
* Dozens of real-world case studies and hundreds of sample problems across a wide range of industries (hide)

Until the early '90s, project management was definitely located somewhere near the unsexy end of the business spectrum. But now, with the rise of downsizing and outsourcing, it... read more

Until the early '90s, project management was definitely located somewhere near the unsexy end of the business spectrum. But now, with the rise of downsizing and outsourcing, it has become one of the hot disciplines. Professional membership of the U.S.-based Project Management Institute has quadrupled in the last decade, and Microsoft claimed recently to have over 2 million users worldwide of its project-management software. The reasons for this growth are simple. Project management is about managing "projects," that is, unique pieces of work (as opposed to ongoing operations). Downsizing, outsourcing, and the accelerating pace of change have meant that, increasingly, work is carried out on an ad-hoc, one-off project basis. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management is designed as an advanced textbook for businesspeople with a grasp of the basics and insufficient time (or inclination) to go back to school to learn more. Written by Eric Verzuh, president of the Versatile Company, a leading project-management consultancy, this is not a heavy academic text.

Like the rest of the Fast Forward series, this book is designed to let the reader extract maximum information in minimum time. There is a strong use of graphics with tables, charts cross-heads, and bullet points. Important passages are flagged in bold and/or emblazoned with the words key concept. When you read it, you realize that there is nothing magical about project management, just the application of careful common sense. The book covers all the basic stuff like planning, time-tabling, quantity and price estimation, resource allocation, and scheduling. But it also acknowledges that there is inevitably a political dimension to every project, no matter how small. So it has important sections on how to ensure that all the stakeholders in the project are kept "on board" and the importance of communication.

As Verzuh states in his introduction, "Every project participant from part-time team member to executive sponsor, becomes more effective once he or she understands the basics of project management." Really, this is a book about management that every manager should read, whether he or she has a project or not. --Alex Benady (hide)

I can hear some of you exclaiming, "How can you possibly recommend a book about software scheduling published by Microsoft Press and written by a consultant to Microsoft?!"... read more

I can hear some of you exclaiming, "How can you possibly recommend a book about software scheduling published by Microsoft Press and written by a consultant to Microsoft?!" Well, put aside any preconceived biases. This is a tremendous book on effective scheduling software development, and it drinks deeply from the wisdom of all the classics in the field such as Brook's Mythical Man Month -- and is likely well-informed by McConnell's experiences, good and bad, in Redmond.

The nine page section entitled "Classic Mistakes Enumerated" is alone worth the price of admission and should be required reading for all developers, leads, and managers. Here are some types of the 36 classic mistakes that McConnell describes in detail:

• People Related Mistakes
  • Heroics
  • Adding people to a late project
  • Politics placed over substance (etc.)
  
  
• Process Related Mistakes
  • Abandonment of planning under pressure
  • Planning to catch up later
  • "Code-like-hell" programming (etc.)
  
  
• Technology Related Mistakes
  • Silver-Bullet syndrome
  • Overestimating savings from new tools or methods
  • Switching tools in the middle of a project (etc.)

I suspect that if you've ever been involved in software development, you winced after reading each of these nine points. And you will learn a great deal from the remaining 640 pages about concrete solutions.

My only substantive gripe: cheesy Powerpoint graphics. Nonetheless, this book is Very Highly Recommended. (hide)

"Written to help project managers to revise and advance their skills... takes readers through all the key skills they will need to ensure that they deliver projects successfully.:... read more

"Written to help project managers to revise and advance their skills... takes readers through all the key skills they will need to ensure that they deliver projects successfully.: -- Management Services "Management Services" (hide)

At a time when management wants [..] quicker returns on investments, IT managers should find great value in this book.

At a time when management wants [..] quicker returns on investments, IT managers should find great value in this book. (hide)

More than two thirds of American companies use teams to execute their most important projects, making project management a highly valuable skill for advancing your career. Project Management... read more

More than two thirds of American companies use teams to execute their most important projects, making project management a highly valuable skill for advancing your career. Project Management For Dummies, Second Edition introduces you to the principles of successful project management and shows you how to motivate any team to gain maximum productivity.  You’ll find out how to:

• Define your project and what you intend to accomplish
• Identify project stakeholders and their expectations
• Develop a project plan
• Establish project schedules and timetables
• Determine which skill sets and resources the project requires
• Choose team members and define their roles
• Launch you project and track its progress
• Encourage peak performance
• Conclude your project successfully

Complete with helpful tips on delegating, shortening schedules, and optimizing your own performance Project Management for Dummies, help you get your project, and your career, off the ground in no time. (hide)