Declaring the PMBOK to be a well-known book would be a severe understatement. Considered the best manual for the ideas of project management worldwide, this is among the most advised books for anyone considering the position.
Covering all the terminologies, approaches, knowledge areas, and everything else you will need to start, the PMBOK is an authoritative and comprehensive manual. Considered necessary for passing a PMP test.
The PMBOK targets a certification exam, hence the terminology is rather intellectual. Learning from it will help you to focus and note things. This book is really essential if you intend to add a professional certification down the road.
2. The Lazy Project Manager: How to be Twice as Productive
Peter Taylor
This book is the perfect one for you if you enjoy straightforward explanations with many anecdotes and graphical images. Renowned project management specialist Peter Taylor, the author, uses knowledge from his thirty years of professional experience to be efficient and productive.
Many self-described sluggish experts are regarded as quite effective in their area since they usually produce the best results with the least effort. You too may learn how to accomplish it with this unusual book.
3. Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager
Kory Kogon; Suzette Blakemore; James Wood
If you have heard phrases like “We should treat this as a project…,” or “You would be the ideal person to manage this project,” you understand how taxing it can be for someone inexperienced. With great guidance to start in the position of an accidental project manager, this book aims at those accidental managers and trains them.
With its real-world examples and jargon-free language, Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager sets itself apart from other works of such nature. The book lists the causes behind the failures or successes of various initiatives from many sectors.
4. Simple Strategic Project Management Made
Terry Schunk
Among the most practical books on hand right now are Terry Schmidt’s ones. Though the writing style makes it simpler for beginners in project management to grasp as well, it is somewhat complex relative to other books on this list. Managers who find it difficult to organize their projects will find significant value in this book since it offers tested strategies to resolve problems.
5. Industrial Megaprojects
Edward W. Merrow
Few tools exist that meet the demands of engineers, construction managers, and other fields where analytical abilities are more appreciated. Large-scale industrial projects in chemical plants, high-rise structures, and oil rigs must be meticulously planned since failure could have dire results.
Edward Merrow uses his more than thirty-year industry experience to convey insights in Industrial Megaprojects in a conversational style. For any engineering major whose training frequently lacks the tools every project manager needs, the book is the ideal choice. Although the book mostly addresses big-scale megaprojects, you will find that the ideas apply to every project regardless of its magnitude.
6. Project Management: The Managerial Process
Clifford Gray and Erik Larson
Understanding human behavior and the author of this book gets you ready for real-world situations by integrating the technical and behavioral techniques; project management is much influenced by these aspects. Many case studies in this book provide insightful analysis of how to respond in a certain circumstance. Should you not have experience running a cross-functional team, this book will be rather useful in handling work-related difficulties.
7. Project Management for Non-Project Managers
Jack Ferrato
Jack Ferraro’s excellent effort in introducing the ideas to absolute novices without confusing them with complex terminology is project management for non-project managers. The book aims for conventional functional managers eager to participate in the daily operations of their projects.
Many project managers advise anybody considering a career in this sector to read this book. Your knowledge of the demands of this career will help you to get a little view of the life of a project manager.
8. Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide
Gregory Horine
Consider this as a simpler form of the PMBOK. For those who find reading through endless dry pages objectionable, this is the ideal book. Greg Horine constantly remains on the topic under discussion and keeps the readers interested by using a conversational tone. This means that this book does not contain any references to case studies or on-the-job guidance. Although you could consider it a drawback, this is the ideal method for a total novice trying to pick the ropes.
Once you have finished this book, you will have the fundamental theoretical understanding of the project management process and be prepared to improve it with more thorough literature on the subject.
