PM Crash Course, Premier Edition: A Crash Course in Real-World Project Management Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Rita Mulcahey is one of the leading training providers in the project management profession, not to mention one of the most engaging lecturers. The book shares these features: engaging, interesting, full of information, and a good companion if you are planning on taking a PM test any time soon.Several of my staff members have benefited from the effectiveness of her programs.

If you are a semi-skilled project manager who has not yet taken the PMI Certifiying exam, or who doesn't want to wade through the encyclopedic and difficult PM Body of Knowledge, then this is a very good, very easy to read overview of pretty much everything that a high-speed project manager would want to know and do.

However, in my initial impression, I would assume that a "crash course" is intended for someone who does NOT have the required skills and needs to get some results in a hurry.

What this book is not, is a useful guidebook for someone who is getting started in the role of project manager.It is just too complete.The new PM will despair, and those who resist PM as "overhead" will have plenty of new evidence.Mulcahey makes the point over and over that PM is about planning ahead in order to avoid failure down the road, when corrective action is expensive.This is absolutely true, yet it may be lost on a neophyte PM or their process-resistant manager who will see project management processes as just another straw on the camel's back.But who other than a new PM would _need_ a crash course as opposed to the more deliberate and thorough training that an experienced PM would need?

Short version of the PMBOK - definitely.
Review book for trained PMs - definitely.I will probably be buying some for my office for this very purpose.
"Crash course" for people unfamiliar with the practice of project management: this baby's too hot for you to handle.Remember, the project managers you see succeeding around you are trained professionals.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PM Crash Course, Premier Edition: A Crash Course in Real-World Project Management

Product Description:
Every year, thousands of people are thrust into projects or project management roles at their companies. In fact, many project managers are assigned to or even placed in charge of high-profile projects, potentially worth millions of dollars to their organizations with no tools, no direction, and little structured training. This book is the first resource specifically designed to help these people!This revolutionary Course in a Book in real-world project management is perfect for people who are looking to get projects back on track, and who want easy-to-use tools that can make an immediate impact.Are you looking for project management tools and techniques that you can start using TODAY? Do you coach, mentor or manage project managers? Do you teach project management part-time or as a career? If so, Rita Mulcahy's latest book, PM Crash Course, Premier Edition, can help you!

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about PM Crash Course, Premier Edition: A Crash Course in Real-World Project Management now ?

Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management (Pragmatic Programmers) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a book about line management of knowledge work - Programmers, Graphic Artists, CAD Drafters, Chemists, Engineers, Physicists, etc.This kind of management is a relatively new invention, and stands in stark contrast to manufacturing management.Previously, you had to read a host of authors like Drucker, DeMarco, Deming, and Jim Collins and read between the lines.Now you have this short, practical guide by Rothman and Derby."Behind Closed Doors" is a practical book - Do this, then do that.The writing is clear and tells the story of a newly hired director of software engineering who brings focus and direction to a floundering team.

The writing is not novel-quality, but it does provide real actionable guidance in a way that keeps you awake and thinking.That alone puts it above the typical management text, at least in my book.Plus, the book is small:You will actually remember the points it makes and know how to do them.

Because it is small, the authors focused on that one aspect of management. "Behind closed doors" does not contain a great deal of philosophy.Also, while Project Managers may find it helpful, they will want to use this book to round out a library, not start one.

I give "Behind Closed Doors" five stars, because it does what it says and does it well.All of the other books I know in this space have some painful weakness:They are vague, theoretical, boring, try to cover too wide a subject, etc.

Bottom Line: If you are a direct manager of technical people, you can't go wrong.If you -are- a knowledge worker, buy it for your boss!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management (Pragmatic Programmers)

Product Description:

Great management is difficult to see as it occurs. It's possible to see the results of great management, but it's not easy to see how managers achieve those results. Great management happens in one-on-one meetings and with other managers---all in private.It's hard to learn management by example when you can't see it. You can learn to be a better manager---even a great manager---with this guide.You'll follow along as Sam, a manager just brought on board, learns the ropes and deals with his new team over the course of his first eight weeks on the job.From scheduling and managing resources to helping team members grow and prosper, you'll be there as Sam makes it happen. You'll find powerful tips covering:

Delegating effectively
Using feedback and goal-setting
Developing influence
Handling one-on-one meetings
Coaching and mentoring
Deciding what work to do---and what not to do
...and more.

Full of tips and practical advice on the most important aspects of management, this is one of those books that can make a lasting and immediate impact on your career.

Get 34% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management (Pragmatic Programmers) now ?