Brilliant Project Management: What the Best Project Managers Know, Say And Do

by Stephen Barker, Rob Cole

Whether you are organising an important event or heading up a large team, running a project can be a daunting process. Project management is fraught with perils; unfinished and unsuccessful projects are everywhere. In fact, it’s more common than not for projects to fail. Spiralling costs and missed deadlines are just part of everyday life for many project managers. But project management doesn’t have to be like this. It is possible to manage projects that consistently succeed. Brilliant Project Management condenses over thirty years of hands-on project management experience to show you what to do in simple, smart and practical steps. Discover what the best project managers know, say and do – so you won't just be good, you'll be brilliant.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management

161 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sergey Dudko]

Avoid long meetings with more than 7 participants

Start meeting with the goal. Finish meeting with summary

Structure meeting minutes in 3 sections: 1. Decisions 2. Actions 3. Detailed notes

Review recurring meetings to avoid unnecessary meetings

Project plan should include: 1. Objectives 2. Scope 3. Deliverables 4. Resources 5. Timeline

Be very explicit with Client about the project scope

Staffing: 1. Prioritize staffing 2. Make sure you have the mix of people who will work well together 3. Focus on people with enthusiasm

Typical motivators: 1. Achievement 2. Challenge 3. Career 4. Peer pressure 5. Intellectual challenge

In the beginning of the project, set up the risk/probability sheet

Brainstorm rules: 1. Set the specific question 2. Encourage wild ideas 3. Record all ideas 4. Encourage to build on other people's ideas 5. Continue until ran out of steam

Promote learning culture: 1. Lead by example by admitting your mistakes 2. Voice the importance of learning from mistakes 3. Highlight positive lessons learned 4. Connect with team members informally to learn from them

Set up the learning cadence to make sure you learn through the project

Critical success factors: 1. Develop project planning skills 2. Focus on people 3. Always learn

Focus on solution, involve team members, focus on Client, find win-win solution, get most out of your people, always evolve, lead by example

To develop as a manager: 1. Work on stretch projects 2. Identify your skills gaps 3. Find coach 4. Learn

[Steve Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've tended to avoid this series of "Brilliant...." books in the past, mainly put off by the lurid covers and populist tone of the cover blurb.

However, after one reasonable example of the series (Brilliant Networking) and based on a recommendation for this one in the "The Lazy Project Manager" book, I decided to give it go. And, I'm happy to say that I found a pretty good little book on project management, full of good advice and appropriate anecdotes, well worth the reading.

[Margarita Artemyan · Rating 2 out of 5]

yaay first book of 2019 is done :)
Not that much excited about the book content, expected more insightful information but still took some tips and tricks that I will try to use to be sure I am on the right way of becoming a better Project Manager!
more helpful for those who are new to PM’s world!

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as books on project management go, this is an amazing place to start. I’m reading this before going into PMO after a break and I wish I had read it before I started. It just explains the basics really well.
It doesn’t go into methodologies.

[Aman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for novice project managers 🙂

[Kevin Wutzl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bom livro, ótimo guia

[Kim Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to project management. Clear examples and advice. Great if you are starting out.

[David Aloi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro fantástico, que ao invés de longas teorias, traz ela na prática de quem vivencia o dia-a-dia de gestão de projetos.
Curto e direto ao ponto. Uma grande indicação de leitura.

[Srikanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a very concise book having all relevant information for project management. I am sure, this will come as handy for all project management activities either by managers, leads, executives.. Neatly organized. the book ends with a very good Humour. Hope you too like very much!! Enjoy reading..and practising...enhance skills.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely worthwhile book for anyone who is involved in Project Management.

Full of tips, tricks and useful advice I will carry it around with me and review it often to keep my knowledge and focus on getting results.

[Bjorn Hardarson · Rating 3 out of 5]

great easy to read book on the core thing of project management. lots of great chapters in this book and great quotes. Next I just need to read project management book with the step by step methods

[Tiffany Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. Reassuring for someone just getting started in project management.

[Nyla248 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Project Management.

[Gustav Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most helpful book full of practical advice. I found it a great starting point.

[Muhammad Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice little handbook with sound, practical advice. Easy to read, will make a good desk-reference