Alpha Project Managers: What the Top 2% Know That Everyone Else Does Not

by Andy Crowe

Debunking misconceptions surrounding successful project managers, this source builds upon a landmark survey of more than 800 project managers from around the world to highlight the traits that make them stand out in the minds of their teams, senior managers, customers, and stakeholders. Through in-depth interviews and discussions, the common attributes of these elite project managers—from character and beliefs to organizational approaches—are uncovered and help to explain their achievements. Painstakingly researched, this guide offers key insights by providing multiple perspectives on the character makeup of the world’s most successful project managers.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Management, Leadership, Professional Development

228 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Andy Crowe is the CEO and founder of Velociteach and author of the world-famous book The PMP Exam: How To Pass On Your First Try as well as Alpha Project Managers: What the Top 2% Know that Everyone Else Does Not and The PMI-ACP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try. He is one of a handful of project management authors whose titles have sold over 250,000 copies.

He served as project manager for several high-profile international projects, including the creation of Europe's largest e-commerce site and was a member of Microsoft's DNA and .NET Advisory Committees.

Andy is a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Program Management Professional (PgMP), an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and a Six Sigma Black Belt. He makes his home in north Georgia.

Andy’s company, Velociteach, is an award-winning project management training company that offers instructor-led training for certification and continued education, online mobile learning, self-study resources, and podcasts. Velociteach was previously awarded Registered Education Provider of the Year in Continuing Education by the Project Management Institute.

Reviews

[Drew Weatherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read more like an article than a book (and its font is large with double spaces and small pages to stretch it it to 190 pages). Also, the study itself had some shortcomings. For example, the total sample size is a tad small at 860 which is particularly evident when only 18 are determined to be "alphas". These 18 alphas are then discussed throughout the entire book with comparisons to non-alphas. Also, the definition of "alpha" is pretty arbitrary, based on the composite score of all stakeholders on a survey and some arbitrary cutoff of the top 2% scores. We don't know whether something is significantly different between the top 2% and the top 10%, for example. And since survey respondents provided scores on a range of 1 - 100, there is a lot of room for stakeholders to have different ideas about what an average or above average score is. Also, I noticed a few times that the author made useless conclusions, noting that the alpha project managers received significantly higher scores from stakeholders than non-alphas on several criteria - no surprise there, an alpha is DEFINED as someone in the top 2% of all scores. Still, I found it useful to compare and contrast the perspectives of a variety of stakeholders (including customers, senior management and team members) against those of the project managers. It got me thinking about what misconceptions I may have within my team.

[Sergey Dudko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effective communication is the most important success factor of best project managers
Define strategic and tactical project priorities and put them on the wall
Review inbox periodically (e.g., 3 times per day). Do not try to respond as quickly as possible to all emails
Limit the number of meetings
Align with project stakeholders on expectations early
Have a consistent communication cadence with the team
Be clear and concise in communication
Seek for feedback from team members
Best project managers spend more time on planning than average project managers
Best project managers have prior expertise in the project's domain
Know your organization strategic goals
Lack of leadership is the main reason of projects failure
Best project managers get more from their job
Best project managers take more formal study courses
Use the informal network, not only the assigned project team members
Have the issue log with potential and current issues. Communicate and resolve issues as soon as possible
Have a coach to better understand your strengths and weaknesses

[Dave Duckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I respect the integrity of the author in the careful way data was reported and presented. I came away with ideas for how I could do my own work better/differently. The book was very straightforwardly written and think it is a worthwhile read. If you are looking for a scientific study, this is not it, but it is valuable to see how within a non-representative sample the top project managers get their work done (e.g., how much time they spend answering emails, their approach to conflict, the time spent in execution process group vs others). Also eye-opening were some of the discrepancies pointed out between what project managers thought (Alpha or not) and their stakeholders.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice for new and seasoned PM’s

There were so many valuable take-aways from this book, I found myself highlighting several passages for further review and implementation into my own work. The underlying material is based on survey results and interviews with respected, top-performing PM’s. Definitely a “good read”.

[Lucas Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some high-value insights, but they could've been shared in half the amount of text.

Reminded me a bit of high school when I'd be under the minimum page count for a paper that was due and would throw in some extra fluff to make it longer.

[Christopher J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, summarizes a study. Lots of useful best practices in here for managing projects. Relationship management, communicating effectively with stakeholders, a supportive organization and getting feedback are all critical to projects, and explored here.

[Loren Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read of a basic outline for great project management- you already know this but it’s a good validation tool

[Ramon de la Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good study which show us how the 2% of best PM behave when managing projects. It is clear that this is a pattern to follow. I’m very satisfied with the reading.
I totally recommend it !

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Patrick Crosby]

Good book for experienced project managers

This book gives a wonderful bird’s eye view of the project management profession and defines key blind spots of most project managers.

I’ve been a PM for about ten years, with the level of experience I have I’ve found that most project management books aren’t worth my time since they are either geared towards someone looking to become a PM or have some special new formula for managing projects. This book is different, it is based on a survey where they analyzed the results and were able to determine differences between the best project managers and the rest of the pack.

[Tony Vynckier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowe surveyed over 3,000 project managers and their co-workers/supervisors in order to identify the "top 2%" of project managers ("alpha project managers"). In the first cut he narrowed this down to 860 and finally identified the 2% or eighteen Alphas. He then attempted to discover what made these Alphas the absolute top of their profession.

What can we learn from the Alphas in order to improve our performance?
What are the things they do differently, more completely, or simply better?

This book provides valuable details on the specific attitudes, basic beliefs, habits and practices that contribute to the success and excellence of these Alphas.

One finding that surprised me was that seemingly minor habits of a project manager have a major impact on the project he/she leads. "Small differences in behavior and practices can account for large outcomes, both actual and perceived".

I particularly appreciated the message towards senior managers - as projects are the engine of any organisation-. Project managers efficiency and project success can be improved by providing an environment that values project management and by implementing well-defined methodologies.

I recommend this title. It's not a lengthy read but it stimulates a lot of thinking for the short time invested in it.

Tony VYNCKIER

[Lech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updated 2025-01-02

Reading *Alpha Project Managers* yet again took me much longer than it should have. However, I decided to take a more methodical approach, creating notes in a mind map to capture key points from start to finish.

Month by month, I carefully gathered the most important insights the author presented, based on research conducted on the project management profession. I wouldn’t have put in this effort if the book wasn’t truly unique.

In my opinion, it’s one of the most important books for our field—perhaps even *the* most important—apart from methodologies and standards.

***

Heartily recommended, especially for those involved in project management. Plenty of practical insight which provides valuable perspective for the aspiring Alphas.

[Steve Whiting · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here's another book which would have made a decent set of presentation slides (and a short one at that).

A survey was done of ~1000 project managers, their reports, their managers and key stakeholders; effectively the PMs were given 360 degree rating and self ratings in various criteria, and this book summarises the results.

What do we find? The reader will undoubtedly be shocked to learn that the "Alpha" PMs are the ones that plan more, communicate better, lead better. Who would've thought it?

It's not that it's a bad book - some of the snippets of comments from PMs are moderately interesting, but there's very little here you couldn't guess without reading it.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift from a mentor at work. After talking with her, she sent me this book which I thought was going to be "meh". I found it to be insightful, thought provoking and applicable to where I was in my life. This book helped me push to decide going back for my MBA. In addition, I learned that knowledge of a subject will always help. I liked the anecdotes. The chapters are laid out quite well. This is a very easy read and enjoyable. Every project manager who wants to be at the top should read this book.

[Connie Mckissack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best practices from real project managers who are in the top of their field. Great knowledge in a short compendium of real world project issues and how highly effective PMs succeed in the top 2%. In the end it's noted that of all the attributes that separate the Alpha group from their peers, communication presents the most striking difference. Why? Simply said, because "the PM does not always have an accurate handle on his or her own communication skills or effectiveness."

[Adam Nowakowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always heard that this is one of the best books to read as a PM. It is about as boring as readying a study on being a PM. Let me save you the time it takes to read. Spend twice as much time in the design phase and communicate more than you think you need. Then you will be an Alpha Project Manager.

[Tim Bensley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good survey, statistical approach to understanding what factors lead to good project management. More of a report out on the survey than a full book. Quick read by very useful. Bought copies for all the PMs in my sphere of influence.

[Jason Edleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very quick read. But it has great suggestions for those who want to excel as a PM. I recommend all of Andy Crowe's Books.

[Jenny Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for newbies to the topic or someone who needs a reminder about how important communication is for project management.