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Commitment: A Novel about Managing Project Risk
This graphic business novel brings the Real Options model in a unique and understandable format, by explaining theories in a way only Sequential Art can.
Via Rose Randall, the main character of this unique graphic business novel, the reader is introduced to the challenges a project manager faces. Rose Randall is the archetypical reluctant project manager. Following a painful project failure years ago, Rose s life is cast into chaos when she is once again thrown into the role against her wishes. Faced with a struggling project, help comes from an unexpected source guiding Rose in the direction of Real Options.
When you have read Commitment , you:
* understand what the Real Options model is;
* can apply the Real Options model to manage project risks successfully;
* understand why much of your life involves options that you currently are treating as commitments;
* see the world through a different filter opening up many new possibilities;
* understand the difference between Commitments and Options.
Because the book will:
* provide specific examples of how a project can manage its risks using the Real Options model;
* outline a simple technique for making decisions;
* make you aware of all the decisions you make every day;
* build your confidence in your ability to decide when to commit and when to leave options open.
In short, this book is indispensable for new and experienced project managers plus anyone else who is interested in knowing more about managing large projects.
Via Rose Randall, the main character of this unique graphic business novel, the reader is introduced to the challenges a project manager faces. Rose Randall is the archetypical reluctant project manager. Following a painful project failure years ago, Rose s life is cast into chaos when she is once again thrown into the role against her wishes. Faced with a struggling project, help comes from an unexpected source guiding Rose in the direction of Real Options.
When you have read Commitment , you:
* understand what the Real Options model is;
* can apply the Real Options model to manage project risks successfully;
* understand why much of your life involves options that you currently are treating as commitments;
* see the world through a different filter opening up many new possibilities;
* understand the difference between Commitments and Options.
Because the book will:
* provide specific examples of how a project can manage its risks using the Real Options model;
* outline a simple technique for making decisions;
* make you aware of all the decisions you make every day;
* build your confidence in your ability to decide when to commit and when to leave options open.
In short, this book is indispensable for new and experienced project managers plus anyone else who is interested in knowing more about managing large projects.
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First published May 14, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 14, 2013
Since I have my kindle, I don't read many paper books anymore.
Commitment is an exception. And what an exception it is. After "The Goal" & "The Dream team nightmare", again a book that shows that there are more ways to spread a message. This time a comic book. From the moment I heard Chris and Olav talk about that idea for this book, I was a big supporter. I sponsored them to get the book started. When I received the book yesterday, I did not regret that. I read it in little over two hours. It's a fun way of bringing an important message.
I have been using Real Options since 2007, it gradually has changed my whole life. I look at options in all the decisions I take, both professional and personal.
And after 6 years of doing real options, I still learned a lot by reading the book.
Only time will tell if I'm correct, yet I suspect this will be my favorite gift for the next years.
Commitment is an exception. And what an exception it is. After "The Goal" & "The Dream team nightmare", again a book that shows that there are more ways to spread a message. This time a comic book. From the moment I heard Chris and Olav talk about that idea for this book, I was a big supporter. I sponsored them to get the book started. When I received the book yesterday, I did not regret that. I read it in little over two hours. It's a fun way of bringing an important message.
I have been using Real Options since 2007, it gradually has changed my whole life. I look at options in all the decisions I take, both professional and personal.
And after 6 years of doing real options, I still learned a lot by reading the book.
Only time will tell if I'm correct, yet I suspect this will be my favorite gift for the next years.
May 14, 2013
While there are many ways to learn, I've always been partial to allegorical works - lessons and information conveyed through story. The work of Ken Blanchard ("The One Minute Manager") and Eliyahu Goldratt ("The Goal") are prime examples of this kind of work. What is unusual is to find a work that combines story and images and is still a "business book".
"Commitment" is powerful. It explains the concepts and application of Real Options in graphic novel format. While some might discount the graphic novel ("it's only a comic book, right?"), this book demonstrates the power and effectiveness of the graphic storytelling format. The characters take on a reality. The way in which the story is worked into real life, in a situation that many of us can relate to, adds to the effectiveness.
This is not about finance. This is not about project management. The lessons of this work apply to all aspects of life. Read it. Be entertained by it. Learn from it, and apply what you learn.
I consider this a must-read for anyone and everyone.
"Commitment" is powerful. It explains the concepts and application of Real Options in graphic novel format. While some might discount the graphic novel ("it's only a comic book, right?"), this book demonstrates the power and effectiveness of the graphic storytelling format. The characters take on a reality. The way in which the story is worked into real life, in a situation that many of us can relate to, adds to the effectiveness.
This is not about finance. This is not about project management. The lessons of this work apply to all aspects of life. Read it. Be entertained by it. Learn from it, and apply what you learn.
I consider this a must-read for anyone and everyone.
September 7, 2013
I really liked the visual storytelling in this book. Long sequences of sometimes "silent" pictures beeing my favorite! For me, successful complex projects and workplaces are all about humans and relations. I love that the authors take the space to express this aspect in a business book like this.
I also picked up a few ideas I did not think that much about before, such as knowledge options and to not treat everying like an option, or you will be overloaded. Will follow some links in the book to learn more.
It just took me a few hours to read. This, and the format alone, would give it five stars. I had a few concerns, see below, so in the end I settled for four stars.
A few passages in the "fact" sections did not resonate with me.
"allocating staff" for liquidity, "managing" people that put job security before shared learning, "insert uncertainty to _make_ people cooperate", strategies for _making_ people communicate.
This left me wondering if the authors view people as objects to be manipulated. Using a unilateral control/mechanistic mind set. This puzzles me. Of course we may be in disagreement on the utility of this view. Then it is all good. No point in just reading books that agree with your current views ;-)
Other explanations might be that this is written to resonate with traditionally minded people. If so, I'm not sure about that strategy compared to leading by example.
Another explanation may be that that I misunderstood the intentions of the authors, who knows.
All in all I enjoyed the read and it left me with some new ideas! What else could one ask!
I also picked up a few ideas I did not think that much about before, such as knowledge options and to not treat everying like an option, or you will be overloaded. Will follow some links in the book to learn more.
It just took me a few hours to read. This, and the format alone, would give it five stars. I had a few concerns, see below, so in the end I settled for four stars.
A few passages in the "fact" sections did not resonate with me.
"allocating staff" for liquidity, "managing" people that put job security before shared learning, "insert uncertainty to _make_ people cooperate", strategies for _making_ people communicate.
This left me wondering if the authors view people as objects to be manipulated. Using a unilateral control/mechanistic mind set. This puzzles me. Of course we may be in disagreement on the utility of this view. Then it is all good. No point in just reading books that agree with your current views ;-)
Other explanations might be that this is written to resonate with traditionally minded people. If so, I'm not sure about that strategy compared to leading by example.
Another explanation may be that that I misunderstood the intentions of the authors, who knows.
All in all I enjoyed the read and it left me with some new ideas! What else could one ask!
October 10, 2013
Introdução interessante a Real Options de forma lúdica e despretenciosa. Nao aprofunda o conteúdo.
De modo geral, eh uma maneira interessante de olhar para soluções do mundo de Desenvolvimento Ágil sem tocar nos valores e princípios. Valeu a leitura
De modo geral, eh uma maneira interessante de olhar para soluções do mundo de Desenvolvimento Ágil sem tocar nos valores e princípios. Valeu a leitura
April 2, 2018
Very recommended for everyone in a project management, product management or similar role. Very easy (fast) read. It's a story, a novel of course, not a theory book - but that might just make it a little easier to see how it relates to the situation you are in. It's the kind of book you need to get a (physical) copy yourself, read it, store it... and read it again every six months or so
June 30, 2025
Nice. A little shallow. But good concepts of organizing work and dealing with risks being presented in a compelling form. I’d consider it a gateway drug.
August 24, 2018
What I liked about this book:
The first thing you notice, of course, is the comic strip format. I'm not used to reading comics, so it took me a few pages to get used to it, but once I figured out how to read it, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a 1000 words. I also liked how commentary and concepts are inserted in the middle of the story in the form of "blog posts" from the protagonists, as a way to summarize or expand ideas.
The core idea in the book (Real Options) is presented relatively early in the story. What follows is then a series of examples and ramifications of it's applications. The connection between concept and examples is sometimes left implicit, which actually I found makes for a more engaging reading, if you force yourself to keep asking "what's the connection here?"
I also liked that the story is told in a straightforward manner, without going into detailed side plots that attempt to "build characters", a problem that I've seen in other books written in the "business novel" style. There's a hint of the character's personal life, but it doesn't distract much from the concepts the book is attempting to explore.
Who I'd recommend this book to:
The book's target audience is people managing technology projects, but the ideas are more generally applicable to anyone looking for guidance on how to deal with making choices and commitments. If you keep a long "to do" list that never seems go to away, perhaps this book can be of help.
The first thing you notice, of course, is the comic strip format. I'm not used to reading comics, so it took me a few pages to get used to it, but once I figured out how to read it, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a 1000 words. I also liked how commentary and concepts are inserted in the middle of the story in the form of "blog posts" from the protagonists, as a way to summarize or expand ideas.
The core idea in the book (Real Options) is presented relatively early in the story. What follows is then a series of examples and ramifications of it's applications. The connection between concept and examples is sometimes left implicit, which actually I found makes for a more engaging reading, if you force yourself to keep asking "what's the connection here?"
I also liked that the story is told in a straightforward manner, without going into detailed side plots that attempt to "build characters", a problem that I've seen in other books written in the "business novel" style. There's a hint of the character's personal life, but it doesn't distract much from the concepts the book is attempting to explore.
Who I'd recommend this book to:
The book's target audience is people managing technology projects, but the ideas are more generally applicable to anyone looking for guidance on how to deal with making choices and commitments. If you keep a long "to do" list that never seems go to away, perhaps this book can be of help.
January 29, 2020
Not sure if comics format serves this business novel well. I definitely wouldn't put it in the same league as The Goal and The Phoenix Project.
I am also not confident I understand real options after reading it, much less do I "see real options everywhere", as does the protagonist by the end of the story line. One clear application I picked up was staff liquidity. In other cases it took me more thinking than I anticipated to see real options in e.g. lean practice of limiting work in progress. I'm sure I've missed a few relevant applications as well because they were not explicitly called out in the dialogs.
Overall, the dialogs felt more Zen-like and left more questions than answers. Maybe the book was intended this way, or maybe I'm just over-processing and looking for hidden real options where authors just wanted to show basic lean and project management practices.
I am also not confident I understand real options after reading it, much less do I "see real options everywhere", as does the protagonist by the end of the story line. One clear application I picked up was staff liquidity. In other cases it took me more thinking than I anticipated to see real options in e.g. lean practice of limiting work in progress. I'm sure I've missed a few relevant applications as well because they were not explicitly called out in the dialogs.
Overall, the dialogs felt more Zen-like and left more questions than answers. Maybe the book was intended this way, or maybe I'm just over-processing and looking for hidden real options where authors just wanted to show basic lean and project management practices.
August 11, 2013
In this book, the authors do a good job of explaining the real options model in an easy to digest form - the Graphic novel. The storyline is very relatable for any project manager and contains tips and techniques you can use on your projects right away. One technique that I've taken away is their options-based resource scheduling approach. It is simple and powerful at the same time.
I am definitely looking forward to the option of a sequel...
The most difficult part of the book for me was following the style. As someone who does not read comic books, it took me a couple of chapters to get used to the style, but once I did, it all flowed really well.
I am definitely looking forward to the option of a sequel...
The most difficult part of the book for me was following the style. As someone who does not read comic books, it took me a couple of chapters to get used to the style, but once I did, it all flowed really well.
October 17, 2018
It was a fun read on a serious subject. I had grasped some of the real options theory before and Lean, Kanban and similar tools are something I have thorough knowledge of, so most was not news to me. The new stuff was unfortunately not very well explained. I still don't understand what feature injection is for e.g. The "tea bag" analogy did not connect to the theory. Comparing this to The Goal or The Phoenix Project this was not as cheesy and more down to earth, but in those books the learning got all the way.
February 18, 2015
Working with Chris Matts and then reading this book was such a brilliant recap of the first principles espoused in the agile world. The story, the presentation and the graphic art...make it a must read
May 19, 2013
Main Point: "Never Commit Early Unless you Know Why."
Learned to see the world with the options thinking perspective, considering options, commitments and scenarios.
Learned to see the world with the options thinking perspective, considering options, commitments and scenarios.
October 28, 2014
Nice graphic novel about real options and managing project risks. It was fun to read, but I can't say I learned that much new from it. Didn't cause revolution in my world.
March 12, 2022
A good story that keeps you reading on. This is the first book I've read in one day for many years. It covers project management in an agile development scenario. Much of it is also applicable to waterfall. The ideas around options and commitments and monitoring are very useful. It's not rocket science, but it is quite good to read through these things and be reminded of the basics that you perhaps forgotten in an entertaining and engaging manner.
Footnote: I found my copy of this book in the kitchen area of our company offices during lockdown and I guess someone was throwing it out. Their clearing out has been to my benefit
Footnote: I found my copy of this book in the kitchen area of our company offices during lockdown and I guess someone was throwing it out. Their clearing out has been to my benefit
August 1, 2019
Commitment is an interesting book. First, as many have mentioned, it's a graphic novel. Given this, it's a very quick read. In this novel, we follow the protagonist as she inherits a project in trouble and then has to learn techniques to turn it all around. The story does a decent job of not being overly contrived, although it does enter this territory at times. It does do a good job of introducing and explaining varies techniques of project management such as using options, visualizing work, staff liquidity, scenario planning, and a few more. The strength of the book is giving a brief introduction to each topic and then showing how they integrate to make a successful product. It's a very good introduction, overview, and review.
The book does have downsides. It is contrived at times. There is a shadowy board of men who loom over the protagonist, a woman. The woman in the story is often taken advice from other men, although there is an attempt to balance this out by having her sister be an expert and advise her. But it's hard to shake that the book toes close to a line of having men talking down to women, which isn't great. The protagonist also uses swimming as her way to exercise and relax and it feels like some of these scenes were just put in to give the book sex appeal, although nothing is overt. It comes close to tipping into comic book territory instead of business novel.
Overall, an easy read that's a good overview of various useful project management techniques.
The book does have downsides. It is contrived at times. There is a shadowy board of men who loom over the protagonist, a woman. The woman in the story is often taken advice from other men, although there is an attempt to balance this out by having her sister be an expert and advise her. But it's hard to shake that the book toes close to a line of having men talking down to women, which isn't great. The protagonist also uses swimming as her way to exercise and relax and it feels like some of these scenes were just put in to give the book sex appeal, although nothing is overt. It comes close to tipping into comic book territory instead of business novel.
Overall, an easy read that's a good overview of various useful project management techniques.
November 5, 2018
Recommended by a friend (thanks!): very useful: lots of theories/practices/frameworks (Leaan/Scrum/Theory of costraints/... nicely blended into a nice story. Recommended for everyone in touch with project management, especially when you're facing challenges (who doesn't) and you're looking for some inspiration.
May 2, 2019
What a great book! First of all with the format: a graphic novel. Then it is packed with a lot of interesting concepts that are well explained by conversations between the characters or situations they are experiencing.
Highly recommended! And I think I will re-read it in a few months.
Highly recommended! And I think I will re-read it in a few months.
May 8, 2021
A nice intro into "real options".
The comic portrays recognizable situations, peppered with some deeper more textual info. It made me reflect on a few things. I will be giving it a second pass very soon I think.
The comic portrays recognizable situations, peppered with some deeper more textual info. It made me reflect on a few things. I will be giving it a second pass very soon I think.
November 20, 2020
Was torn on a rating for this. Interesting format and some great information, but felt kind of information light while being jargon heavy.
April 13, 2021
A good book about options thinking, it also covers other topics like staff liquidity and lean
April 26, 2022
The principles were good. Some of the ways the men related to Rose (the main character) and the way that Rose was drawn made me think this was written by men. And it was.
January 24, 2023
I like the comic book format and it was a quick read. It has a couple of things to look into and study a bit more.
March 22, 2024
For a business book…this was pretty good. Loved the graphic novel presentation.
March 26, 2025
I wish I read it ten years ago
August 9, 2017
Just brilliant.
March 7, 2017
Excellent approach for visual learners, and plenty of priceless nuggets of information on how to evaluate your options.
February 27, 2019
From my blog: https://www.jackvinson.com/blog/2013/...
"Were you reading a business book written as a graphic novel?" Yep. That would be Commitment: a Novel about Managing Project Risk by Olav Maassen, Chris Matts, and Chris Geary. It was an interesting take on project management with a focus on real options, a topic that I've been obliquely aware of.
The thing about the book was that although real options is a central topic, I didn't find it to be overwhelming. The authors wove in topics from a wide variety of sources: Theory of Constraints, the Kanban Method, uncertainty and variability, various decision-making approaches, etc. Given the general topic of project management, there were also some interesting elements in that arena as well.
Based on my new knowledge from this book, the general idea behind real options is that we have all sorts of options in our lives - options that we often think of as must-do's or commitments. But many of these things (tickets to a show) are merely options until we decide to actually use the option. The other general idea is that it is helpful to be explicit about when options are still options - we get flexibility by acknowledging something as an option, rather than assuming it is a commitment. I think there was something about holding on to options as long as possible to allow for the greatest flexibility. This makes sense with my current mindset: In projects, we acknowledge the queue of possible work, but we only commit to the work that we can do right now. The faster we can turnaround the current work, the more options we'll have on what to do next.
It's hard to write a long blog post about a book in graphic novel form. There is a lot said in the drawings that isn't spoken anywhere. And the book is interspersed with more expository materials to add detail where it would likely bog down the story.
As they suggest in the book, though, I am seeing more places where there are options, now that I understand a little more about the concept.
"Were you reading a business book written as a graphic novel?" Yep. That would be Commitment: a Novel about Managing Project Risk by Olav Maassen, Chris Matts, and Chris Geary. It was an interesting take on project management with a focus on real options, a topic that I've been obliquely aware of.
The thing about the book was that although real options is a central topic, I didn't find it to be overwhelming. The authors wove in topics from a wide variety of sources: Theory of Constraints, the Kanban Method, uncertainty and variability, various decision-making approaches, etc. Given the general topic of project management, there were also some interesting elements in that arena as well.
Based on my new knowledge from this book, the general idea behind real options is that we have all sorts of options in our lives - options that we often think of as must-do's or commitments. But many of these things (tickets to a show) are merely options until we decide to actually use the option. The other general idea is that it is helpful to be explicit about when options are still options - we get flexibility by acknowledging something as an option, rather than assuming it is a commitment. I think there was something about holding on to options as long as possible to allow for the greatest flexibility. This makes sense with my current mindset: In projects, we acknowledge the queue of possible work, but we only commit to the work that we can do right now. The faster we can turnaround the current work, the more options we'll have on what to do next.
It's hard to write a long blog post about a book in graphic novel form. There is a lot said in the drawings that isn't spoken anywhere. And the book is interspersed with more expository materials to add detail where it would likely bog down the story.
As they suggest in the book, though, I am seeing more places where there are options, now that I understand a little more about the concept.
August 2, 2013
I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.
I have felt that the mark of a good business book is that it provides one or two good ideas that one can directly apply. "Commitment" is definitely one of those books. We have already begun visualizing future scenarios and looking at various options. This is a great idea for stimulating some productive and creative discussions. Since we are a small business, it is essential that we look toward future growth as well as the progress of the technology we require.
Sometimes it is necessary that we give ourselves a positive mental kick in the butt to avoid burnout. Books like this help.
I have felt that the mark of a good business book is that it provides one or two good ideas that one can directly apply. "Commitment" is definitely one of those books. We have already begun visualizing future scenarios and looking at various options. This is a great idea for stimulating some productive and creative discussions. Since we are a small business, it is essential that we look toward future growth as well as the progress of the technology we require.
Sometimes it is necessary that we give ourselves a positive mental kick in the butt to avoid burnout. Books like this help.
September 4, 2013
Commitment is a graphical business novel about managing project risks. It is based upon “Real Options”, a way of thinking to improve your decision making.
Two book launch events were organized in Amersfoort, The Netherlands on May 14 and London UK on May 16. I attended the first event and did an interview with the authors Olav Maassen, Chris Matts and Chris Geary for InfoQ just before the launch started.
Two book launch events were organized in Amersfoort, The Netherlands on May 14 and London UK on May 16. I attended the first event and did an interview with the authors Olav Maassen, Chris Matts and Chris Geary for InfoQ just before the launch started.
May 11, 2015
It is fascinating to learn about old problems in new ways: a project management book in the format of a comic? Wonderful! Some of the things that made me consume the text in half the afternoon of a Sunday included the fact that I am facing some of those problems, that the main character is a woman and that apart from the comic there were lessons summarized in the form of letters and blog posts, which are formats I personally use a lot to learn like a lot of people nowadays.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews