Project Management Absolute Beginner's Guide

by Gregory M. Horine

Succeed as a project manager, even if you've never run a project before! This book is the fastest way to master every project management task, from upfront budgeting and scheduling through execution, managing teams through closing projects, and learning from experience. Updated with more insights from the front lines, including agile approaches, dealing with security and privacy priorities, and leading remote/virtual teams, along with the latest on Microsoft Project and PMI standards and certifications and a special bonus chapter on preparing for the new PMP certification. This book will show you exactly how to get the job done, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time.

Project management has never, ever been this simple!

This is today's best beginner's guide to modern project management--simple, practical instructions for succeeding with every task you'll need to perform!

* Master the key skills and qualities every project manager needs
* Learn how to lead projects, not just "manage" them
* Avoid 15 most common mistakes new project managers make
* Learn from troubled, successful, and "recovered" projects
* Apply agile, hybrid, and traditional project management approaches
* Learn the differences between a project manager, Scrum master, and product owner
* Learn how DevOps and DevSecOps impact the project manager
* Set the stage for success by effectively defining your project
* Build a usable project plan and an accurate work breakdown structure (WBS)
* Create budgets and schedules that help you manage risk
* Use powerful control and reporting techniques, including earned value management
* Smoothly manage project changes, issues, risks, deliverables, and quality
* Manage project communications and stakeholder expectations
* Organize and lead high-performance project teams
* Manage cross-functional, cross-cultural, and virtual projects
* Get started with agile and "critical chain" project management
* Gain key insights that will accelerate your learning curve
* Learn how to respond to real-life situations, not just what they teach you in school

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Personal Development, Reference

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2012

Reviews

[Daniel Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as an excellent entry point for those new to project management, breaking down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-follow explanations. It covers essential topics like planning, scheduling, communication, and risk management with clarity and practical examples that help beginners build confidence. The structure is logical and approachable, making it a useful reference as well as a learning tool. However, readers with more experience may find it too basic, as it lacks advanced strategies and in-depth exploration of modern methodologies. Overall, it is a reliable foundation for novices but limited for seasoned professionals seeking deeper insights.

[Sojharo Mangi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good beginner-friendly guide to project management. It can be used as a checklist as well whenever you are starting a new project. However, for beginners there are absolutely no real-world examples given. Also, you won't find the samples or templates of documents which are required for a project and are explained in this book. Overall, it is very easy to read and one can enjoy the book along with learning.

[Kris Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book for Project Management

This is a great book for project managers at any level. It covers all of the basics as well as goes in to great detail in several areas. If you are just starting out it will provide good understanding and methods. If you are a long time project manager it will refresh unused knowledge areas and provide tips to improve your skills.

[Daniel Jodzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very user-friendly format makes this one of the best books on this subject.

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbook for an introduction to project management. Good information in a readable format - just not much visual interest.

[Hadi Aleid · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can't teach to be a project manager.

Better to read PMP prep by Rita Mulcahy.

[Kevin Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just starting this - -- doesn't exactly make me feel like it will be a quick read -- couple chapters here a couple there....