Project Management for Humans: Helping People Get Things Done

by Brett Harned

Project management—it’s not just about following a template or using a tool, but rather developing personal skills and intuition to find a method that works for everyone. Whether you’re a designer or a manager, Project Management for Humans will help you estimate and plan tasks, scout and address issues before they become problems, and communicate with and hold people accountable.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Leadership, Design

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2017

Reviews

[Heather]

I'm not rating this because:

1. I had to read this for my class
2. It's a school textbook and I rate based on personal enjoyment which means...
3. If I did rate this, it would be no higher than a 2 stars.

Which would be unfair to the author, because there is some valuable information in here.
I wasn't going to add this to my Goodreads, but I'm 3 books behind on my challenge so...lmao

[Sivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very handy to start with project management, I always keep it on my desk and take a look at it whenever I need.

I especially appreciated the parts about human relationships and expectations, and how to deal with conflicts. For methodologies, better reading something else.

Also, I recommend it to, basically, everyone involved with projects, especially people who are just about to start working.

As a designer, it helped me to understand why some decisions are made and accept them, as a project manager, it helps me support the team and clients better.

[Michael Schofield · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think was a solid project management conceptual introduction, but I’m not sure there’s anything really practically applicable for anyone who’s been doing PM work - titled or untitled - for more than 6 months. I think this work covers the big concepts in detail, but is light on practical technique. It overviews agile but doesn’t instruct you about how to really practically do it. Maybe that’s not the point of this book, but I can see folks reaching out to it for guidance.

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is OK in my opinion! it gets the job done, as it is a good overview for those exploring PM. i personally really liked the TLDR at the end of each section, as it summarized the content pretty well :)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For context, I'm a self-taught PM who has never had the benefit of working in a PMO. I've been doing it full-time about three years but it's always been some percentage of every job I've had.

I appreciate the reviews that indicated that this book was rather basic and also the reviews that think it's fantastic. In my opinion, it's a really good introduction to project management and would be suitable for anyone early career, hobbyists, those looking to have structure in their personal projects, etc.

It was definitely on the basic side for me. If anything I learned new terminology to apply to processes I already have. And there was a very nice "oh, I've got this" feeling, which can be reassuring for others who are self-taught and wondering what they may not know that they don't know.

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think anyone can benefit from this book. You don't need to be a PM to understand or find useful information from it. I think the best part about this is pretty much how the title describes it. How to communicate with your team and clients as another human being. Everyone has their own way of handling things but how they handle it will determine the relationship you have moving forward. It's important to manage expectations and know how to deal with difficult conversations rather than ignoring it.

This book was enjoyable because it was like having a pleasant conversation. Brett shared his life's experiences and how they shaped him into a great PM.

[Alexander Debkaliuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great practical guide to project management! Wish I had a book like this years ago. Awesome starter and an awesome recap of all key things PM practitioners might be forgetting or overlooking.

Easy to read, brief, 5 starts without a doubt.

Slightly biased towards managing projects for clients vs managing teams inside product companies, but that’s OK. Still plenty of great advice.

And not just for PMs. If you have any role in digital products creation, read this up to be more calm and efficient on a journey to delivering great products as a team.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! I've never held the title of project manager, but I've for sure been one many times, both in my work life and my home life. This book lays out all the traits of a good project manager and how to balance the needs of a project with the needs and failings and foibles of the humans who actually make those projects happen. Conversational throughout, with lots of definitions and descriptions and real-world examples.

[Jan D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book is useful for everyone who happens to manage in a broad sense. It is easy to read and gives hands-on advice for best practices in setting up and monitoring projects as well as dealing with problems like „could we not just add“-scope-creep by clients and being over time or budget on your side.

[Savannah]

Read this as some professional development for my job. Not rating as it was more of learning purposed rather than enjoyment.

Great information and was structured in a way that helped me ease myself through the chapters.

[Maya Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for a class and really enjoyed it. It was such a smooth read and I recommend it for really anyone. It is useful for just managing lives little project and ensure things get done well even if you arent a "Project Manager"

[Tabetha]

I'm probably afraid to read this now since it's all about product and not project management now.

[Christina Frizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of what I already knew but glad it was confirmed

[Michael Wolcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful strategies to implement. And like that it compared some common items. Definitely leans more for software development.

[Jaime Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first thought with this book was 'ufff this is going to bore me to death' but nothing farthest from the truth because the way the author makes his point, some times telling stories or mocking is himself will make you giggle once or twice.

In this book, Bret Harned provides foundations on leading projects of any kind but mostly for the online sector. The author insists through the whole book about the importance of good communication amongst the team and shares real work examples and techniques to apply in any situation when being a project manager. I found especially useful the techniques the author shares on estimating projects, collaboration with multifunctional teams, and resources management.

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book emphasizes the human aspect of digital project management in a clear and simple language. Good book for everyone, not only PM