Project Management for Non-Project Managers

by Jack Ferraro

Great managers are experts at getting bottom-line results, but often do not understand their role in the success or failure of their organization's projects. They balk at the arcane terminology and are unaware of how to use valuable project management techniques and tools-a knowledge gap that can be a serious career barrier! Functional managers with even basic project management (PM) knowledge are the best people for keeping projects business-focused. This new book demystifies the jargon and processes, encouraging managers to jump into the PM arena and arming them with strategies for increasing the business value created by their company's projects. Readers will advice for switching gears from passive bystander to active owner of projects; insights into four critical PM skills, including business analysis techniques, work breakdown structures, program sequencing techniques, and risk management methods; step-by-step guidelines, case studies, and illustrations for mastering these skills. "Project Management for Non-Project Managers" provides easy-to-read, in-a-nutshell explanations of all the PM basics that managers need to achieve project success.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2012

About the author

JACK FERRARO, PMP, is president of MyProjectAdvisor®, a company that provides project management consulting, coaching, and training. He has 22 years of experience working with project teams and managing complex projects.

Reviews

[Ryan Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author emphasizes practical project management and recognizes the criticisms of the field as bureaucratic. Then he goes on to be sometimes practical, and sometimes bureaucratic! There was certainly a lot of good in the book, and it is very useful, especially for someone who is new to PM. But there was a lot of stuff in there that made me think, "See! This is what we're talking about! This is what you PM's do that we don't like."

One little nugget that I liked was earning the right to turn your project's status from amber to green. You don't start with green and slip into amber - you don't know enough about your project yet to say it's in green. Start off with an amber status, and then change from amber to green or red.

I feel like I should be able to sit for the PMP now. I shudder to think what greater detail of information that that designation would require!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good basic text on project management principles for non project manager

The author lays out project management principles, with examples for implementation and everyday use by non project managers. I can see where my project planning has missed some critical steps that resulted in missed deadlines and blown budgets. This book will help me manage projects better.

[ben marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Management 101

Having never formally studied project management and yet asked to lead business projects as part of previous roles I can look back and wish I’d read this earlier. Good practical information and relatable examples without getting too stuck in the jargon. Approaches are quite transferable to other parts of your work/life. Worth it.

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It gives the definition of the variations of roles played in the workplace: project manager, staff, functional manager, etc. Currently, I work as a functional manager yet the position I am currently applying is requesting a project manager in which I came to the realization that I have done this too.

I will glean and gain insight or knowledge from this book to be prepared for future reference.

It started off promising then fell flat for me and referred to things that I don't do or outdated info. I stopped reading thereafter.


Borrowed copy from Hoopla (Sac Pub Library).