Rational Project Manager: A Thinking Team's Guide to Getting Work Done Book

A useful introduction to project management with plenty of tips and examples. I was lucky that my company had an extra one of these on hand when I was assigned a project to lead. Going into it with only experiences as a participant, I really had little idea where to start. Having finished this book, I feel much better. Sure, it doesn't replace training and education for project management, but it is hugely helpful just the same.

I think one of the things I like about this is the ease of the read. It's written in conversational language and the examples follow one project, so we get a good picture of how the tools are used and how they would be reflected in a real-life scenario. Some of it can be immediately put to use on a project, while other things highlighted where I might want to find a mentor or formal training. That, in itself provides value. The book has helped me learn the language of projects and ask coherent, targeted questions of those more experienced.

I probably would have skipped the last chapter if I didn't want this to count towards my book reading goal for this year. It's mostly advice on how to make project management a goal and a standard in one's organization, and it came off a bit like an advertisement (though with useful tips). As a novice project manager, it was a bit beyond what I needed. Also, some of the information and advice in the book seemed overwhelming. It wasn't until the final chapters where the book finally said that sometimes it isn't necessary to do it all. All this after presenting a very solid case for everything it contains.

Still, the strategies are sound and I am one who prefers to know my options before I decide on them. I feel better equipped to tackle projects and more confident as well. I would recommend this book to anyone just starting out in project management. It's a great place to start. I would like to attend some formal KT Project Management training, and I think I'll have an easier time of it when I do because I have read this.