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Rating: 
Summary: Pricey, promises & platitudes
Review: For $170 with the sub-title "a complete, practical, and proven approach to managing large-scale projects with emphasis on those involving advanced technology" one should expect some significant detail regarding the salient points related to "leading edge" technology projects and some substantive "how to" advice. Sadly, the author extends this to more numerous promises in the preface but fails to deliver in the body of the work. Part I entitled Executive Guide ... runs for an exhausting 198 pages during which the reader is advised on page 112 that "determing how much detail is needed and practical [with respect to project planning and control] has always been a fundamental problem in achieving effective project management. Chapters 5, 8, 10, and 13 discuss these topics in more detail." After reading and reading; searching and searching for the promised discussion one finds the following on page 243: "this level-by-level breakdown continues,reducing the scope, complexity and cost of each element until the proper practical level of end-item identification is reached". Wow! The author allocates less than 6 pages to Project Selection. A topic many would deem essential in the area of high technology programs and projects. Most of the material provided within these few pages is extracted from work by Cooper, Edgett, and Kleinschmidt in Portfolio Management for New Products, 2001 and from Dye and Pennypacker in Project Portfolio Management - Selecting and Prioritizing Projects for Competitive Advantage, 1999. Part II focuses on Managing Specific Projects from page 199 - 377; all the while devoting less than 3 pages to Theory of Constraints or Critical Chain scheduling. While there is much to be said both for and against Critical Chain, it is unclear how a book promising "a complete, practical, and proven approach ..." could handle this topic in such a cursory manner. In short, there really is nothing new here ... at least not anywhere near $170 worth. For someone looking for a detailed review and yet basic book on project management, Kerzner's 7th edition (not the trimmed down 8th)or PMI's Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 2000 (the 2004 version may be downloaded for free in the "exposure draft" form) should be more than adequate. More senior managers will find Davdison Frame's book, Managing Projects in Organizations, 2003 more concise and cogent. Those seeking practical, business based advice regarding high technology projects will be well served by Michael McGrath's "Product Strategy for High-Technology Companies". And finally those managing projects in information technology will find IEEE's Software Engineering Body of Knowledge of substantive value. PS ... I returned my copy of "Managing High-Technology ..." for a refund.
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