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Basic PM book suggestions for junior PM?

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Henrik Lauridsen PM Consultant| IBM Broendby, Denmark

Hi,

I am mentoring a junior PM at work (IT sector - web development). He is new to project management, and has started the classical route from developer to teamlead/PM. He asked about certification, but we quickly agreed that it is too early for that. I am therefore looking for suggestions to good books that can teach him basic PM techniques. My own suggestion would be "Rapid Development" by Steve C. McConnell, but I was wondering if there were other suggestions, perhaps closer to PMBoK, so that the transition is easier, when he gains more experience?

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 3:22 AM

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Markus Kopko AI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM AI Coach| PMotion.ai Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

Hello Henrik,

regardless certification or not, i would recommend a PMP prep book, may be Rita's but for a more or less beginner i personally would find Head First PMP much better. It has a really nice visual approach for explanations. Very easy to understand and not to scientific.

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 4:13 AM

Henrik Lauridsen PM Consultant| IBM Broendby, Denmark

Thanks, I will have a look at Head First. Rita's prep book is good, but I think perhaps the level is a bit too high at this point.

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1 reply by Markus Kopko

Sep 23, 2016 4:51 AM

Markus Kopko

...

Well, than Head First PMP will be absolutely perfect i guess ...

you may have a look here:

Head First PMP by J. Greene; A. Stellman (? http://goo.gl/eG04ya )

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 4:44 AM

Markus Kopko AI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM AI Coach| PMotion.ai Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

Sep 23, 2016 4:44 AM

Replying to Henrik Lauridsen

...

Thanks, I will have a look at Head First. Rita's prep book is good, but I think perhaps the level is a bit too high at this point.

Well, than Head First PMP will be absolutely perfect i guess ...

you may have a look here:

Head First PMP by J. Greene; A. Stellman (? http://goo.gl/eG04ya )

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 4:51 AM

Anupam India

You can also refer these, good for beginners / new practitioners -

1. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. Eric Verzuh. Wiley Publishing, 2015.

2. The Project Management Answer Book. Jeff Furman. Management Concepts Press, 2014.

3. Project Management for Non-Project Managers. Jack Ferraro. AMACOM Publishing, 2012.

4. Project Management Lite: Just Enough to Get the Job Done…Nothing More. Juana Clark Craig. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012.

5. Project Management JumpStart. Kim Heldman. Sybex, 2011.

6. The Plugged-In Manager: Get in Tune with Your People, Technology, and Organization to Thrive. Terri L. Griffith. Jossey-Bass Publishing, 2011.

7. Project Pain Reliever: A Just-In-Time Handbook for Anyone Managing Projects. Dave Garrett. J. Ross Publishing , 2011.

8. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management. Scott Berkun. O'Reilly Media, 2008.

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1 reply by Henrik Lauridsen

Sep 23, 2016 9:49 AM

Henrik Lauridsen

...

Thanks :-)

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 5:17 AM

Daniel Krompholz Principal Maintenance Systems Specialist, Asset Management| The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Jamaica, Ny, United States

Just have him read the PMBOK!

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1 reply by Henrik Lauridsen

Sep 23, 2016 9:50 AM

Henrik Lauridsen

...

Well, I want to encourage, not punish him :-) .

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 9:37 AM

Henrik Lauridsen PM Consultant| IBM Broendby, Denmark

Sep 23, 2016 5:17 AM

Replying to Anupam

...

Thanks :-)

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 9:49 AM

Henrik Lauridsen PM Consultant| IBM Broendby, Denmark

Sep 23, 2016 9:37 AM

Replying to Daniel Krompholz

...

Just have him read the PMBOK!

Well, I want to encourage, not punish him :-) .

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 9:50 AM

Rami Kaibni

Community Champion

Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Henrik,

Besides the book, you can always refer him to what section of the PM Book he is currently performing so he can relate practical experience with the theory or guideline.

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 11:43 AM

Tobe Phelps Director of Digital Experience| Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, Nm, United States

At the level that you are talking about I would suggest something simple in the area of basic motivation. Maybe Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson. It is often easier to get new PM's going when you start with the basic psychologies of Project Management.

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 11:48 AM

Mayte Mata Sivera PMO Leader | Speaker | Author Ut, United States

Maybe read the PMBOK will be too hard. My background is also IT, from consultant to team leader, project coordinator, and finally PM ..I was also mentored by my N+1 PM. I can't recommend any book because there were in Spanish, sorry, but I can explain a little how she did.

- She recommended me read books about management, leadership, business (as @Tobe said)

- She introduced me to the different different process groups and KA, in our daily tasks. (As @Rami recommend)

By the way, she printed and stick on my desk the table on page 61 Table 3-1 Project Management Process Groups and KA Mapping, and together we create a new one with real examples. More or less like Rita but more productive from my point of view.

Posted: Sep 23, 2016 12:09 PM

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Basic PM book suggestions for junior PM?

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