The Project Manager's Desk Reference

Rating:
Summary: The best book in project management
Review: As the name states, this is really the desk reference for any one want to understand all the different aspects of project management with reasonable depth. It covers all the different project management parts without being neither too broad nor too specialized with referral to other text books in case the reader wants to read more about a specific topic. I do recommend for three types of readers, a. New project managers or anyone who wants to be a project manager, b. A project manager by experience and s/he needs to learn the rules for project management and how to be do things professionally, c. Any project managers even the highly experienced ones as you really won’t stop checking it from time to time as a reference book. The author has a perfect talent of holding all the lines togather and goes through the book in steady steps.

Rating:
Summary: Still the old standby
Review: For a project manager with little or no experience, this remains the book to keep on the shelf for times of trouble. It's a good introduction for students and has one or two moves that some of us might not have thought of. That said, it doesn't go into as much depth as it could, and is rather selective about which techniques it's going to detail.

Rating:
Summary: Still the old standby
Review: For a project manager with little or no experience, this remains the book to keep on the shelf for times of trouble. It's a good introduction for students and has one or two moves that some of us might not have thought of. That said, it doesn't go into as much depth as it could, and is rather selective about which techniques it's going to detail.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for anyone
Review: I bought this book after researching the [project management] topic for months. The book is very easy to read, and gets to the point very quickly. By the third chapter, you have a very good idea of what you are up against. If you are already in the middle of a project, you can use this book as a very good checkpoint. I am novice in the project management rule and I found this book to be very handy and resourceful. ([e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: This is my desk reference
Review: I own two large shelves of the top project management books and this is the one that I grab for first when I want to reference something. The book is true to its title.

Rating:
Summary: This is my desk reference
Review: I own two large shelves of the top project management books and this is the one that I grab for first when I want to reference something. The book is true to its title.

Rating:
Summary: Ideal for those that want to be introduced to Project Manag.
Review: Project Manager's Desk Reference is a complete, well-written guide about Project Management intended to college students and to any person not familiar with this subject.

The topics covered by this book include Project Planning, Scheduling (PERT), Controlling (Earned Value Analysis), Reporting/Evaluating and Risk Analysis. The book also discusses other subjects that certainly will be faced by the Project Manager, like how to Improve the Communication Skills, how to Solve Problems and Making Decisions.

This book is not intended to experienced managers that need more tools to conduct their projects. These people should look for specific books about the aspect of Project Management that they need to deep into, like Risk Management.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable reference material
Review: Simple examples and clarity of expression help the reader to master even the most complex project management concepts. Be able to distinguish new and old earned value terminology as this edition uses the old language (e.g., BCWS, BCWP, ACWP vs PV, EV and AC). Otherwise excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Clearly Written and Easy to Understand
Review: This book was a Required Book for a Project Management college course that I took. The book gives a good overview of the basic Project Management techniques that everyone uses, however, it does not get into real detail about some topics. It is good for the beginning Project Manager, or a student, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone studying for their PMP exam. The PMI PMBOK is a better reference for studying for the exam in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Solid
Review: This is direct and to the point. Lewis' writing style is solid and very readable. He does not have a pretentious know it all attitude like so many authors have today. Not only is this an excellent desk reference, but it also can guide you through the essential concepts needed for effective PM duties.