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Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice)

  • ISBN13: 9780596517717
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In the updated edition of this critically acclaimed and bestselling book, Microsoft project veteran Scott Berkun offers a collection of essays on field-tested philosophies and strategies for defining, leading, and managing projects. Each essay distills complex concepts and challenges into practical nuggets of useful advice, and the new edition now adds more value for leaders and managers of projects everywhere. Based on his nine years of experience as a program manager for Internet Explorer and lead program manager for Windows and MSN, Berkun explains to technical and non-technical readers alike what it takes to get through a large software or web development project. Making Things Happen doesn’t cite specific methods, but focuses on philosophy and strategy. Unlike other project management books, Berkun offers personal essays in a comfortable style and easy tone that emulate the relationship of a wise project manager who gives good, entertaining and passionate advice to those who ask.

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2 Comments
  1. Terry MacDonald says
    50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    The Best Review Ever…, January 17, 2014
    By 

    This review is from: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice) (Paperback)
    There is a lot of praise out there for Scott Berkun and this book in particular. I feel a bit silly adding to the list of reviews, but I decided to go forward anyway when I tasked myself with writing the best review ever. I think a lot of us are looking to figure out what is the best in a fast fashion. Word of mouth is always king, so Amazon reviews come as close as they can. So, why read Making Things Happen?

    – Note that it is the new edition of The Art of Project Management.
    – You will gain personal motivation to make things happen either at work or in life.
    – The book covers how to be a great project manager, from gathering ideas to managing teams and schedules.
    – It may not be all new news, but it’s all the best management practices in one well-designed book.
    – He introduces several key concepts and brings perspective to areas that may seem like common sense, but as the wise saying goes: “We need not be so much instructed but reminded.”
    – This book is more than just an overview, but you do need to continue to learn. For more in-depth looks into project management, one can read up on the Agile Manifesto, Lean Kanban principles; SEI’s CRM for risk management; and The Practice of Creativity: A Manual for Dynamic Group Problem-Solving
    – Scott Berkun’s style of writing is really wonderful. His voice is both practical and vivid, engaging and clear. His level of expertise in communicating what it means to be a great project manager has transcended from author to teacher, which means you know he’s good!

    I hope you find this review helpful. Now, go make things happen!

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  2. Leam Hall says
    75 of 78 people found the following review helpful
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Updated version of a key resource., April 12, 2008
    By 
    Leam Hall (Southwest Va, USA) –

    This review is from: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice) (Paperback)
    Okay, let’s get the one downer about the book out of the way; it’s a second edition of Scott’s The Art of Project Management (Theory in Practice (O’Reilly)). Not sure why the name was changed but it might confuse some folks. Okay, it confused me, not sure about anyone else. If you’ve recently read the first edition then you may want to borrow someone’s copy to go over the exercises/discussion at the end of each chapter.

    If you haven’t read the first edition, you’re in for a great time! This isn’t a reference book, nor is it a cheat-sheet for passing your PMP. Scott writes as friends chat over coffee. To really “get it” you need that same head game. Find your personal motivation for making things happen, either at work or in your life, and slowly reflect on a single chapter over a hot cup of joe. Even better, find a couple friends who are just as success driven as you and work through the exercises together.

    My introversion is so strong that last sentence was almost painful to write, but a deeply reflective level of mental processing is what you need for this book. When you have a chapter in your head you can go over the events of the past week and generally find ways you could have handled something better. Write them down, go implement the ideas, and keep doing that as your success rate grows. Use the exercies as dry-run scenarios and really put some thought into them. Build your experience and expertise in the shadows; when the spotlight is on you’ll be ready to make things happen in a big way.

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