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Learn the favourite books of the online project management communities.
The thing that I found interesting while researching the best sellers on Amazon, reading reviews and talking to other project managers about their favourite project management books – was the reason that project managers liked to read.
Although many of them come across as if they live and breathe project management, some project managers stated that they enjoyed publications that were less technical and when project management wasn’t the primary topic. They enjoyed understanding people, general management approaches and sought to be entertained even when delving into a business subject.
The most mentioned book was the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK), now in its 7th edition. Definitely a necessity but not the most entertaining choice!
Here we have selected the top-10 project management books from delving into discussions and scouring reviews, everything from heavy reference text books to soft-skills and fictional stories.
Book reviews
Take your pick and share what’s on your own project management book shelf!
1. A Guide to the PMBoK (Project Management Institute) – Probably not one you’d take on your summer holiday, but definitely a reference bible for your bookshelf especially if you’re studying for the PMP exam.
2. Making Things Happen (Scott Berkun) – Unlike some other project management books, this one uses philosophy and strategy to outline what it takes to get through a large software or web development project. The author writes from an experienced background, working on some of Microsoft’s biggest projects; and states that he understands that software development and project management can be boring, so he likes to make his point using “comedic” means or making jokes at his own expense.
3. Getting Things Done (David Allen) – A popular book on maximising your productivity and setting priorities even when plans are interrupted. A helpful lesson to anybody of mastering the art of relaxation while increasing productivity.
4. Project Management For Dummies (Stanley E. Portny) – In my experience the “For Dummies” books have always been a fantastic introduction to the chosen subject area. This 4th edition of the book principles of successful project management and shows you how to motivate any team to gain maximum productivity, including the latest trend of using social media within your project.
5. The Mythical Man-Month (Frederick P. Brooks Jr) – The classic book of essays on the human elements of software engineering and project management, with a combination of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions.
6. Critical Chain (Eliyahu M. Goldratt) – A fictional business novel that explores the Theory of Constraints principles and applies them to problems in project management, a follow-up to the author’s previous book ‘The Goal’. A nice text-book alternative!
7. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling (Harold R. Kerzner) – The eleventh edition of this book states to be even more aligned to the PMBok
8. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management (Eric Verzuh) – Both an excellent desk reference and introductory guide for beginners and experienced alike.
9. The Lazy Project Manager (Peter Taylor) – Fortunately the author is not implying that we do absolutely nothing, but to approach work using the Pareto Principle; that only 20 per cent of the things we do during our working day really matter. Quite an entertaining read that includes a chapter about eating dinosaurs and why the Jungle Book’s ‘Bare Necessities’ should be the productive lazy theme tune. Learn simple techniques to master the art of “productive laziness”.
10. Managing Successful Projects With PRINCE2® 7th Edition. Known as the PRINCE2 manual this book wasn’t chosen from the online communities, but I added it in because I think it’s a valuable asset for every project manager. After all, PRINCE2 is the worlds’ most popular project management methodology and is therefore essential reading for all project managers.
Book references
Here’s the details of each of the 10 books.
1. Project Management Institute (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK® Guide. Seventh Edition. Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, Inc.. ISBN: 978-162825664
2. Scott Berkun (2008). Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice). Sebastopol: O’Reilly Media Inc. 410. ISBN-13: 978-0596517717
3. David Allen (2002). Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. New York: Penguin Group. 288. ISBN-13: 978-0142000281
4. Stanley E. Portny (2013). Project Management For Dummies. 4th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 408. ISBN-13: 978-1118497234
5. Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (1995). The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition. 2nd ed. United States of America: Addison-Wesley Professional. 336. ISBN-13: 978-0201835953
6. Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1997). Critical Chain. Massachusetts: The North River Press. 246. ISBN-13: 978-0884271536
7. Harold R. Kerzner (2013). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling. 11th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1296. ISBN-13: 978-1118022276
8. Eric Verzuh (2008). The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. 3rd ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 480. ISBN-13: 978-0470247891
9. Peter Taylor (2010). The Lazy Project Manager: How to be twice as productive and still leave the office early. United Kingdom: Infinite Ideas. 152. ISBN-13: 978-1906821678
10. PeopleCert (2023). Managing Successful Projects With PRINCE2®. Nicosia, Cyprus. PeopleCert. ISBN-13: 978-9925-34-450-5
