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The Little Black Book of Project Management
Book

The Little Black Book of Project Management

Michael C. Thomsett
AMACOM, 2002
First Edition: 1990

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

When a major project falls into your lap, one thing is certain: When it's over, your reputation in your organization will be either a lot better or a lot worse, based on how the project turns out. Michael Thomsett covers all the bases you'll need to hit to manage a project successfully, one of the most daunting tasks managers face. He stuffs an impressive amount of information into 205 pages, although at times the text reads as if it is also the product of a flowchart diagram. Thomsett views project management as more science than art, insisting, for example, that project managers should not build a "fudge factor" or float into their budgets. This advice overlooks the unscientific impact that exceeding your budget can have on your career. getAbstract recommends reading this little black book before you start your next project.

Take-Aways

  • You don't have to learn a host of new skills to become an effective project manager.
  • Your first responsibility is to clarify management's objectives for the project.
  • Determine what your final project should look like and let that vision be your guide.

About the Author

Michael C. Thomsett has written more than 40 books and 500 articles on business, finance, real estate and project management. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington.

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