Editor’s note:This book review is not in our regular book review format. It was provided by Glen Alleman, who had reviewed the book last year for the author (who is a frequent contributor to PM World Today – see Dr. Brown’s article in the PM Tips & Techniques category this month) and wanted to share it with our readers. We thank Glen for providing this book review.

Introduction

I received this book unsolicited in the mail from Dr. Brown. I had not heard of Jim, his firm, or the book before I opened the package. What a pleasant surprise. I say Jim, not because we have met, but because that’s his signature on email for our requests of him to speak at our PMI Symposium in 2009. We could not work out the details, but next year I hope he will be one of the headliners.

Before starting this review let me state my point of view. Working on DoD, NASA and DOE projects, I see the world as a Systems Engineering paradigm. Systems Engineers see the world in an integrated manner – product development and process development are inseparable. Managing interfaces is the primary role of Systems Engineering along with product and process architecture. One of my Master’s degrees is in Systems Management, University of Southern California, 1980.

A Quick Look

Buy this book. Buy it even if you’re not a Program Manager. Buy it because it is written by a Program Manager, for Program Managers, about how to manage programs. It’s not a survey book in the sense many are. Telling about high level principles – although the principles are there. It’s a handbook – just like the title says – about managing programs. The author speaks in practical terms, from experience. But of course the author’s experiences are credible experiences – NASA.

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About the Reviewer Glen Alleman Glen Alleman is Vice President, Program Planning and Control, Lewis & Fowler, Denver Colorado. Glen defines, develops, and deploys Lewis & Fowler's Deliverables Based Planningsm program management method for Aerospace, Defense, and Enterprise IT clients. Prior to joining Lewis & Fowler Glen spent several years in the government program management domain, leading the Program Management Office at Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site and developing Integrated Master Schedules for a variety of manned and unmanned spacecraft. Glen’s education includes Physics and Systems Management graduate degrees. Glen can be contacted at galleman@lewisandfowler.com or visit http://www.lewisandfowler.com/.

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