Project management can be a huge challenge and there are many pitfalls to this endeavour. Luckily there are some great project management books available to offer guidance. Here are just six of the top books on this subject reviewed.
Scrappy Project Management: The 12 Predictable and Avoidable Pitfalls Every Project Faces by Kimberly Wiefling (2007)
Knowing the problems that are likely to be encountered when you start a project is of great benefit. If you know the potential pitfalls there is a lot you can do to prevent them. This book by Kimberly Wiefling is hugely popular because it clearly states these pitfalls and offers good advice for how to avoid them. All the content of this book is practical in nature and everything is presented clearly in the simplest possible way.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge — 4th Edition – by The Project Management Institute (2008)
This is a top rated book for those who are serious about mastering the subject of project management. It is specifically tailored for those who are studying for the Project Management Institute Test, but it can be of value to anyone interested in this subject. This book is focused on the standards of project management rather than the methodologies and theories. It is probably not the best choice for those who just want practical advice, but for those who want to further their knowledge of the profession it is going to be a valuable text.
The One-Page Project Manager: Communicate and Manage Any Project with a Single Sheet of Paper by Clark A. Campbell (2006)
This book promises to teach readers how to manage any project using just one sheet of paper. The techniques presented in this book have already been used by thousands of people and it seems they really do work. Those hoping to improve their productivity and their project management skills will find this book a great resource. The information is presented in an easy manner and most of the chapters are short and straight to the point.
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Project Management — 2nd Edition- by Greg Horine (2009)
If you are completely new to project management then this is probably a good book to get you started. You will find all the main topics covered and everything is presented in such a way that no background knowledge is required. Even those who have a bit of knowledge about the subject will likely benefit from this guide. Despite the fact that it is labelled as a beginners guide it actually covers a huge range of topics.
Fundamentals of Project Management — 3rd Edition – by James P. Lewis (2006)
This book is relatively short at 160 pages but it is packed with some of the beat advice available on project management. If you want some practical advice but don’t want to wade through tons of text then this could be a great choice for you. This book is meant as an introduction text, and it performs this function well.
Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management by Scott Berkun (2008)
This book is a good resource for anyone interested in project management. The author is a well known blogger who is well respected for his expertise. This is the type of book that you can read from start to finish or you can dip into now and again as a reference text. The contents of this book are impressive and all the main topics are fully covered. Most of all, this book offers practical advice for how people can manage projects more successfully.
