Project Sponsorship -
Achieving Management Commitment for Project Success
Reviewed by: James G. Page
Author: Randall L. England & Alfonso Bucero
Published by: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
(Jossey Bass Management Series
Price: $50.00 (US)
Date of Review: September 2007
Publication Date: 2006 

 

Introduction

Who needs Project Sponsorship is the premise of this outstanding book.  The authors are well versed in this subject.  They have years of project expertise involving major Hewlett-Packard projects and programs.  Their specialized project management should not deter anyone from using this book successfully of any type of project.  This book has been carefully crafted to orient its message for project managers / sponsors / stakeholders to better understand and improve project sponsorship. 

Overview of Book’s Structure  

The book is designed as a “How To” guide to understanding and improving project sponsorship.  It begins with “Sponsor Responsibilities” through “Knowledge Management”.  The book details the basics in developing successful project sponsorship.  It also provides substantial information for any experienced sponsor / project manager to use for reference or training purposes.   It also has additional topics with forms to properly evaluate a projects risk assessment. 

The book’s most dynamic element, and so often overlooked, is the project’s organizational culture.  These “rules”, “mores”, and “patterns” are the pitfalls and power structures which project managers who are not aware will clearly place any project in jeopardy. 

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About the Reviewer James G. Page James Page is a PMI Certified Project Manager who works as an independent project consultant while pursing his Project Management MBA at the University of Texas at Dallas.   He has over 20 years of Project Experience in paper manufacturing, information technology, defense, and medical projects.   His home is in Ada, Oklahoma, USA where his spare time is spent cattle ranching and serving his Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot Cisco.

 

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CAPM/PMP All-In-One
Project Management Certification Exam Guide
Reviewed by: Earl W. Crisp, D. P. A
Author: Joseph Phillips, PMP, CompTIA Project+
Published by: McGraw-Hill Companies
List Price: First Edition $49.95 (USA)
Date of Review: August 2007
Publication Date: 2007

Introduction

This is a specialty book of approximately 478 pages that begins with an introduction section and then divides the remainder of the book into three main parts that include four appendices, a glossary, a topical index and 13 chapters. The book also includes a CD that contains Live Video training featuring the author and 350 exam questions that include both a practice and final mode of testing. The focus of the book is to provide a systematic way of preparing for taking (and passing) the Certified Associate in Project Management exam or the Project Management Professional exam preferably on the first attempt. The book is designed into chapters and follows the order of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).  All the major headings reference the corresponding PMBOK sections and nearly all the practice questions reference the PMBOK for additional information.

Overview of Book

The author’s intent is to make the arduous task of studying the PMBOK sections, the processes, terms and definitions and the general concepts and approaches of Project Management Body of Knowledge much more palatable and less intimidating.  The author acknowledges that the examination developed by the Project Management Institute has a reputation for being a challenging thus demanding that the candidate be thoroughly prepared or suffer the consequences of an examination retake – in addition to having to pay additional fees each time a re-examination is administered. 

The author’s approach is interesting in that he tends to apply a unique and fun methodology to learning the material that helps to reinforce the major concepts.  He uses short video clips of himself that gives the learner an appreciation of the author’s personal style of lecture in addition to his writing style that includes innuendos and subtle remarks that add humor while not diminishing the importance of the material.  Each chapter has a similar format in that he outlines the objectives to be learned and he provides a brief narrative that he uses in a positive and encouraging approach in order to motivate the reader, especially with the intent of remaining focused whenever the material becomes tedious or boring.  He wants the reader to see that the time and effort invested is not wasted. 

 

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About the Reviewer Earl W. Crisp Earl W. Crisp, D. P. A. teaches for the Management Department at the University of Texas at Arlington and for the College of Business at Dallas Baptist University.   He is a former Navy C-130 pilot and he enjoyed collateral assignments in Administration, Training, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources.  He also works for the U. S. Department of Education in the area of Post-Secondary Education for Eligibility and Oversight. He recently started his own project consulting company that specializes in college accreditation. His Doctorate in Public Administration is from the University of La Verne and his M. S. in Management is from Troy University.  He is a certified mediator, private pilot and radio announcer.  He recently completed his Project Management Professional training at the University of Texas at Dallas and he is preparing for the PMP examination making the review of this publication very timely.

 

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Program Management for Improved Business Results
Reviewed by: Jovica Riznic PhD
Authors: Dragan Z. Milosevic, Russ J. Martinelli, and
James M. Wadell
Published by: John Wiley & Sons Inc
List Price: $39.95 (US), $49.95 (Canada);  eBook $29.95 (US) ISBN: 978-0-471-78354-1
Date of Review: April - May 2007
Publication Date: 2007

Introduction to the Book

These are tough times for management book authors.  It seems as if general and topical management books are being printed out once or twice a week.   To survive in this highly demand driven and competitive environment, authors need to distinguish themselves from the crowd.  Dragan Milosevic, Russ Martinelli and James Wadell have managed this feat in their Program Management for Improved Business Results.  Program Management is one of the management topics that is rapidly gaining interest on a global scale.  The fact that institutions like the Project Management Institute (PMI) were quick to jump on the bandwagon of standardization and certification in program management tells a lot.

Even though program management is recognized as an effective approach to managing product, service, and infrastructure development efforts, there is a lot of confusion and controversy about even basic concepts or terminology.  Program management has been in practice for decades, but misunderstanding still exists concerning what it is; why it is used in business development; and how it is applied in practice. The authors of the Program Management for Improved Business Results provide not only answers to these vexed questions but a comprehensive holistic view of the program management.  They define program management as “the coordinated management of interdependent projects over a finite period of time to achieve a set of business goals”.  The book views program management as a strategic business component that can be used to gain competitive advantage, and goes into details of showing how a program should be managed to improve business results. 

 

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About the Reviewer Jovica Riznic, PhD Jovica Riznic earned his B.Sc., M.Sc, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, and is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada.  He has more than twenty years experience in research and development, energy and thermal engineering and science, software development and project management.  Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the PMI Ottawa Valley Outaouis Chapter as the director of the Outreach programs.  He is the lead organizer and founder of the Student Forum on Project Management which is in its fifth year as the annual event gathering academics and students from North America and Europe.  He teaches courses in the Project Management Certificate Program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, and has published 2 books and more than 100 papers/ articles.  Jovica also serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Ecology and Economy.   He is an active member in several other professional societies including Professional Engineers of Ontario, Canadian Nuclear Society, American Nuclear Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Recently, he received the College Award for 2003 from the Algonquin College in recognition for his contribution to the project management certificate program.

 

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