Volume IX - Issue XI - November 2007
PM Book Reviews
Book Title: Project Management: Knowledge
Introduction to the Book This college level textbook is actually a great read and introduction to project management at a high level. This short book is extremely well illustrated and the chapter sequence is very logical. The author has used a parallel fictitious story to demonstrate project management in action at appropriate locations within the manuscript. Summary of Review: One of the most important and well-explained themes running throughout the book is the separation between projects (in action) and the results of completed projects (the end product). Since both the publisher and author are Swiss, the book has some IPMA features, which will be unfamiliar to the North American PMI audience. However this slightly different point of view is another major benefit to the reader. Generally Europeans see things a little differently than North Americans so the author’s point of view is a refreshing change.
Book Title: The Art of Installation and The Science of Implementation
Introduction A software implementation failure can destroy a company. Consider the FoxMeyer Corp., a former $5 billion pharmaceutical company. In 1996 they declared bankruptcy and were liquidated due to a failed SAP implementation. In The Art of Installation and The Science of Implementation, Thomas F. Shubnell, Ph.D, FHIMSS, presents his methodology for successfully managing packaged software implementation projects. Dr. Shubnell’s methodology is based on his project management experience, which has shown that a successful software implementation is more than just installing the packaged software, but also includes the people, processes, technology, and business changes needed for a company to fully utilize and exploit the installed software. Dr. Shubnell is a Principal with the CCI Group, an information services firm that delivers senior level and strategic consulting solutions to healthcare providers. He has more than 30 years of project management experience in a variety of roles. He has also achieved Fellow status in the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and is the President of the Dallas-Fort Worth HIMSS Chapter. Many of the projects I manage are software deployments for wireless telecommunication networks. Although this book's primary focus is on packaged software implementations, I found most of the ideas and recommendations Shubnell presents in his methodology are applicable for the projects I manage.
Book Title: The Handbook of Project Management
Introduction to the Book Trevor L. Young, a project practitioner with over thirty years experience, has offered a second edition to “The Handbook of Project Management” (first published in 1996) with his 2007 publication. Though the author aspires the book to be a “pocket guide”, at 281 pages the book is an excellent desk reference. Broad in its reach and filled with practical information, the book provides an excellent overview of project and program management any project professional, irrespective of experience and/or knowledge level, will find valuable. Overview of Book’s Structure Similar to his previous edition, the author has bifurcated the book’s structure: the first part addressing the project and program environment and the second part addressing project and program management techniques. Those who have read both editions will notice that this edition includes multiple enhancements to part two. The author wisely devotes one quarter of the book to part one, the environment. It covers useful definitions, organizational structures, and roles and responsibilities. Part two’s content is primarily framed by the author’s proposed project lifecycle, which consists of: defining, planning, launching, executing and closing. Part two also includes sections on start up, using a computer and common project problems, though the last two chapters would be better suited for an appendix. The final element of the book is found in the back: the easy-to-navigate CD. Stored on the CD is a host of functional templates, presentations, process notes and tools, which further support the author’s professed philosophies, tactics and best practices.
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