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Summary: Excellent PMP Prep Book
Review: If you're taking the PMP exam anytime soon, you need to memorize every word in this book because this is what the questions are based on. It's also a great reference document for PM terms and definitions. But does it include lots of PRACTICAL information you can actually use on the job? The writing is too general to do that, but it almost has to be. I read this cover to cover several times and passed the PMP exam. Unless you're reading this for that reason, then you're better off visiting the Project Professor.
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Summary: PMBOK does not address IT management
Review: PMBOK is fine as an introduction to project management, but it is not specific to IT. It is applicable to managing efforts such as building construction and electrical engineering. Because PMBOK doesn't tell you this, the assumption is made that once you've read it, you can do IT projects, which is definately not true and you will have a sad awakening if you are not already experienced in IT. There are definate differences that are particular to IT, such as the way earned value is handled and scheduling, that PMBOK does not address. If you are into IT project management, get another book.
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Summary: As the name says, a guide.
Review: Project Management is not easy stuff, even though many people think all they need is to get a computer package and start using it in order to be project managers (I certainly used to think so). This book is almost an index of the topics you should cover when managing a project according to the Project Management Institute, as well as a guide for the Project Management Professional Certification (PMP). The book does not try to be fun; it is very technical and general. As I said before, it is almost an index: covers a lot of topics, does not get into the details of almost anything. I would have liked it to include an example of how to put all the techniques together. I had to read the 1996 edition for a course, and the 2000 edition in preparation for the PMP test. The first time it was a lot more difficult to finish the book. In between, I read "Information Technology Project Management" by Katy Schwalbe, and it helped a lot. It explains the PMBOK with anecdotes and stories, as well as examples and exercises, and after getting the basics the PMBOK is a lot more readable. I highly recommend reading Shwalbe's book first. And if you just want to start studying Project Management, I think "Fundamentals of Project Management", by Lewis, is almost a "Quick Guide", but ideal for busy people, since it is very short and easy to read. I rate the book four stars because it is not exactly a page-turner. It takes determination to read it from cover to cover.
Rating:
Summary: A very useful guide
Review: The CD version very useful and easy to readup. The information inside is well presented for all aspects of project management. The CD is a must for both starting and experienced project managers. Since it is published by PMI, it gives the distilled version of world wide accepted and approved practices in the domain. An Excellent book.
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Summary: _The_ Project Management Standard
Review: The PMI has put together a book that is the definitive project management standard. Within the concise 200 or so pages, expect to get an overview of all the general areas of project management. This book describes a generic project management model, suitable across many disciplines. It is written to be a standard. While it is authoritative and something you should definitely read, it is tough reading for beginners. The book does not proceed in the same sequence as project phases. It makes the book difficult to read as a textbook. If you are a beginner I suggest that you purchase a copy of this book immediately but do not attempt to read it yet. Buy yourself a basic book on project management. Participate and lead projects. As you face issues within your project, refer to this book. You will find your study will be richly rewarded. Anyone appearing for the PMP exam must know this material like the back of their hands. Spend a lot of time here. Keep in mind however that this book is not a repository of knowledge, it is a roadmap. In summary, not a trivial read, but a rewarding one.
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Summary: Essential reference fo PMP
Review: This book is a good reference and should be used as a reference book. You need to know the content of this book to pass the PMP. However, don't use thie book at the only source of study. Get a copy of Andy Crowe's "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" and "The Ultimate PMP Study Aid" (from ebay). By the way, when your join the PMI memnbership, they will send a CDROM verson of the book free.
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Summary: Great Content but Poor Organization
Review: This book is a good resource to use when planning a project kick-off meeting or writing project scope documents and business requirements for non-project oriented team members. The way in which the authors organize the chapters/topics do not seem chronological to me, based on my experience in running multiple large-scale projects. "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge : 2000 Edition" is not a book that one can easily reference when trying to find a specific sub-topic or definition. A better reference book for project management is "The Ama Handbook of Project Management."
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Summary: Essential Classic
Review: This book is certainly a must have for the management of BIG projects. It is extremely rich in a wide area of relevant details. It is extremely good as a reference. It is good, if your specific area has not an established project methodology. On the other hand I do not like the book for reading and learning. It feels like reading a book on income taxes regulations, though a good one.
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Summary: PM Overview - Theory over Practicality
Review: This book is very good in a theoretical sense. I would say that 50-60% of the book could be used in the real world but only in very particular situations. Still, it does a good job of laying out the foundation for Project Management and the work done to accomplish the job. It's also useful in that it defines Project Management terminology (something Microsoft has trouble with). In terms of the PMP Certification, this book is a MUST. I recommend that you read the book cover to cover...twice. Most of it is straightforward but there are a number of nuances that have to be searched out. There are a number of other PMP prep books and CDs which are also very useful. Still, this book should be considered your learning foundation. If you want more in-depth Project Management reading material then go with Kerzner. If you need the essentials, the definitions and a PMP study-guide, this is the way to go. Todd Shyres, PMP, CISSP
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Summary: Essential for PMP candidates
Review: This CD ROM contains is the electronic form (Adobe Acrobat format) of a set of guidelines that represent two things: (1) a De Jure standard for project management, which is the American National Standard classified as ANSI/PMI 99-001-2000 and (2) one of the primary resources that you need to thoroughly know in order to successfully pass the Project Management Professional(PMP)certification examination. NOTE: According to the Project Management Institute candidates seeking PMP certification in 2001 will also be responsible for the content in the older PMBOK dated 1996 also available from Amazon.com. What it contains: this CD ROM is identical in format and content as the hard copy versions of the PMBOK 2000 edition. Its 211 pages are divided into four sections that are comprised of 12 chapters and seven appendices. Section I consists of three chapters that introduce the guide and briefly describes terms and definitions. It also provides an overview of the nine knowledge areas and 39 processes embodied in the project management framework. Chapter 2 adds a brief piece on the role of project offices, which was not in the 1996 edition. Chapter 3 appears to have taken a few ideas from the British PM standard, PRINCE 2 (PRojects IN a Controlled Environment) because more attention appears to be given to phases and interactions among phases. Another interesting thing I noted about Chapter 3 is the inclusion (although brief) of iterative development. If you are in IT/IS you will recognize how this can be aligned to the Rational Unified Process or other iterative development approaches. The nine chapters in Section II address each of the nine knowledge areas and their associated processes. The knowledge areas are: project integration management, scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, human resources management, communications management, risk management and procurement management. The knowledge areas and processes in the 2000 edition have undergone some refinement and expansion from what is in the 1996 edition: Chapters 4 and 10 have a lot more material on earned value (I recommend Earned Value Project Management, 2nd edition as an augment to the PMBOK because the authors of that book were instrumental in adding earned value to the PMBOK), Chapter 6 touches on theory of constraints (a good book that extends this is Project Management in the Fast Lane by Robert Newbold), and Chapter 11, risk management, has been expanded to include six processes instead of four that were covered in the 1996 edition. Section III is a collection of seven appendices, of which Appendix G, Summary of Project Management Knowledge Areas, is the most valuable. Section IV is a glossary and index. It's a given that if you are pursuing PMP certification the PMBOK is a must. The burning question is whether or not you should get the hard copy or CD ROM version. I personally prefer the hard copy version because of the way I read (not to mention the eyestrain from reading off a monitor). However, the CD ROM version is a lot more portable, and you can print out the entire PMBOK or selected sections for offline reading. There is also something to be said for the way the CD ROM version is hyperlinked, making it a convenience. I have it in both formats, but you will have to decide which is most convenient for you - or spend the extra money and get the book and CD ROM.
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