Getting Started in Project Management [Paperback]

For the occasional project manager the authors provide a straightforward and [in my opinion] foolproof approach to planning and managing projects. What I like is the emphasis is on taking the time to properly plan the project, and focus on what is going to be delivered and the quality of the deliverables. While deliverable-based project management is one way to assure a properly planned and managed project too many PMs only discover this basic fact after many projects and not a few disasters. This book brings this technique to the occasional PM and explains it in a manner that makes sense. Deliverable quality is addressed by showing the PM how to develop customer acceptance criteria. This ensures that the stakeholders are getting what they require in a form that can be measured. For anyone who has developed a solution using sketchy requirements only to have the solution rejected, the customer acceptance criteria alone makes this book worthwhile.

For the advanced project manager the method outlined is missing some critical elements, such as earned value project management and a coherent discussion of developing a work breakdown structure. However, these oversights can be overcome by purchasing a book such as Visualizing Project Management, which covers these basics. What is not found in any other project management book I've read (and there are dozens) is the integrated use of common analysis and decision techniques that is the topic of Chapter 11. The approach is based on identification, organization, analysis and selection (choices). These are achieved through affinity diagramming (identification and organization), interrelationship diagraph (analysis and choice), a decision matrix (analysis and choice) and multivoting (analysis and choice). The end result is a thorough analysis and consensus among all project stakeholders for deliverables, acceptance criteria and other aspects of the project. These tools are extended in Appendix D, which briefly, but succinctly, describes the Martin Tate Problem Solving Methodology.

Occasional and advanced project managers alike will benefit from the detailed instructions for managing project changes, the many checklists and tables throughout the book (augmented by well designed illustrations), and the way the authors blend hard project management techniques with people skills.

If you find yourself tasked with managing relatively simple projects this should be the first book to which you turn. If you are a seasoned professional who wants to add some effective skills to your bag of tricks this book will prove to be a wise investment.

The book goes beyond a mere introduction to the four phases of project management - initiation, planning, execution and closeout -- by providing tools which integrate common analysis and decision techniques. The authors' approach is based on identification, organization, analysis and choice. Their toolset provides a roadmap to help teams make the best decisions during the planning and execution phases of the project.

I also found the sample team contract and self-assessments found in the appendix to be insightful.

There is a beauty in simplicity; Paula Martin and Karen Tate have achieved it with this book. Even if you have been practicing project management for years, spend some time with this book. The insights contained in it will reward you for years to come.

Breaking down the practice of project management into easy to learn steps, Martin and Tate take you through the basics of project management.

Using the principles defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Martin and Tate take you through each step, from assembling your team and assigning roles through to completion (and celebration!).

If you are uneasy about managing projects or simply don't know what is entailed, this book will put you at ease. Once you understand the basic principles of managing a project (any project!) and lay out the steps defined, it is easy to bring your projects under control.

Whether you take the Martin-Tate class on Project Management or not, this book belongs in your library. As with any good reference book, you'll find yourself referring back to it over time.