This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

Why learn project management the hard way?

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Project Management, Second Edition will have you managing projects in no time! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn: 

• Key concepts and fundamentals behind best-practice project management techniques

• The mindset and skill set of effective project managers

• Project techniques that work in any industry, with any tools

• The common elements of successful projects

• Lessons from failed projects

• The value and importance of project leadership versus project management

• How to manage growing project trends and tough project types that first-time project managers are likely to encounter

• How to make better use of Microsoft Project

• How to respond when project reality does not match textbook scenarios

• Expert insight on key project management concepts and topics

 You’ve just been handed your department's biggest project. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management will show you exactly where to start–and walk you step by step through your entire project! Expert project manager Gregory Horine shows you exactly what works and what doesn’t, drawing on the field’s proven best practices. Understand your role as a project manager...gain the skills and discover the personal qualities of great project managers...learn how to organize, estimate, and schedule projects effectively...manage deliverables, issues, changes, risks, quality, vendors, communications, and expectations...make the most of technology...manage virtual teams...avoid the problems that trip up new project managers! This new edition jumpstarts your project management expertise even faster, with all-new insights on Microsoft Project, challenging project situations and intriguing project management topics of the day.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 21 Ratings

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management Second Edition - 2009-06-25
Reviewer Rating:
Greg has pulled it off again making it even clearer this time the need to map a project and use a process. I have handed this book to a few PMs in our organization. Great tool with clear language that any new or experienced PM can apply to their projects. Handy reference as well.

Very good for beginners - 2009-05-18
Reviewer Rating:
I'm a technical person and recently had a new responsibility of managing a short term project.

I grabbed this book and read it now thrice. It has given me insights that I applied from Day 1. I recommend this to technical leads or small business owners. There are some things the technical minded will not think of at first. So better grab a copy and read it!

Project Management Basics - easy to read and understand - 2009-10-04
Reviewer Rating:
I bought that book for my college class which is an introductory class to project management. The book is very easy to read, you finish a chapter in no time. I think it gives you a good first impression about the topics that are relevant in that field but it's still only an introduction. It's really simple and most things seem pretty trivial to you. However, the author seems to really identify with the reader, he doesn't lecture and doesn't stick to technical terms but makes it fun to read. If you're looking for a book that will give you only a sense / an idea about what project management is like; buy this one. However if you're looking for something more substantial, you might reconsider buying it.

Good but single-minded introduction to PM - 2009-09-13
Reviewer Rating:
This is a fine introduction to project management. Well-written and well-paced, it functions as a great starting point, but can be handy to have around as a general sourcebook refresher course as well.

However, I only give this book 3 stars because of it's not an exaggeration to say that it is not much more than a printed and bound Powerpoint presentation. The entire book is a collection of bullet points upon bullet points. The sidebar tips and short chapter overviews are very nice, but mostly you learn from ordered lists.

Would have been nice for reference if the authors had focused their fine tutorial writing skills into a balance between bullet points and more narrative formats.

Still and all, despite its flaws I'd have to recommend it as the go-to book for the beginning project manager.

excellent for both new and experienced PM's - 2009-05-26
Reviewer Rating:
I run a management and technology consulting firm and I am constantly searching for materials to supplement our internal training materials. In the past, we have leveraged the PMBOK as the definitive resource for our project managers. After reading this book, however, I will be looking to supplement the PMBOK with this new and insightful guide.

As you would expect from any good project manager, the book is well organized and out-lined , and uses a logical and conversational approach to covering the subject matter. This is the best book I have seen with respect to speaking in common terms about projects and project management so that the new project manager can quickly become comfortable with the subject matter.

I particularly like the coverage of some of the `softer' skills in Chapter 2 and throughout Section 4 (Project Execution). Each provides a nice healthy balance to the science of project management (i.e PMBOK) discussed in most project management books. Without the `art', the science is of little true value. Said differently, this book serves as a very practical guide for all levels of project management rather than simply focusing on the academic methodologies. Yet, for those preparing for their PMP, this book does use the PMBOK as its foundation and uses those terms and nomenclature throughout, so that the practical application is all related back to the PMBOK.

I will definitely use this book as: 1) a basis for educating new project managers in my firm, 2) a refresher for experienced project managers who need some reminders on the `softer' skills that define world-class project management, and 3) a recommendation for my clients to help them understand why we do what we do, and how they can improve their internal project management, and project managers.

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