Project Management

Reviewed by Carolyn McGary, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 10/2/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

From a project management process standpoint, it covers at a high level the majority of what a starting student would need to know.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Principles are pretty universal, so accuracy still seems good.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

A few of the examples in the book are becoming outdated, and could use an update to ensure continued relevancy.

Clarity rating: 5

Written in a straightforward manner, with good separation of topics. Feels clear and provides adequate context.

Consistency rating: 5

Flow was logical, and chapters seem to be consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

Felt the chapters were easily divisible if needed.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Structure and flow seem to be logical.

Interface rating: 5

Did not see any significant issues with navigation or interface.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Did not see any significant grammatical errors in the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

I did see a variety of examples for the topics. I did not notice anything insensitive, but I could be biased to that.

Comments

Overall the book has good data, I like the flow and the content. I would look at updating some of the examples and if possible update some of the graphics and tables for visual effect. I did like that there have been some improvements in 2019, 2021 and 2022 including some reformatting for accessibility. I have adapted portions of this text for my own Construction Project Management course.

Reviewed by Megan Hamilton, Faculty- Coordinator of Civic Engagement Projects, Emory and Henry College on 6/30/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

It covers all the major points that I want my students to understand when learning about the craft of project management.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

While this book does address that project management is applicable to many sectors and careers, it doesn't provide as much a of a non-profit lens on project management as I would like my students to understand. This text is meant to apply to any type of project management though, which is important for my students to understand even though this specific class is about project management in the non-profit world.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

It is very up to date and would be easy to update in the future.

Clarity rating: 5

It's very easy to read.

Consistency rating: 5

Yes, this text provides consistency in the terminology it uses.

Modularity rating: 5

One of the reasons I picked this text besides that it was comprehensive and an easy read was because I could easily divide it up into smaller sections to help support our in class learning sessions.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

It is organized well and in a thought out manner.

Interface rating: 5

There were no issues when I read this text.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No major grammatical errors in the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

There is nothing that jumped out at me reading this text that would be culturally sensitive, but I wasn't reading looking for that either.

Comments

This book does a good job of covering all the aspects of project management. It keeps things simple and basic, which is great for students who are just now learning about the craft of project management.

Reviewed by Michael Botyarov, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 7/24/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of project management, including associated processes and tools. This introductory text can be an excellent supplement to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) given the flow and structure of the chapters. That being said, project management has evolved over the last several years where a discussion of new methodologies, such as Agile and Critical Chain, could provide additional benefit to readers.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The textbook accurately describes project management fundamentals and provides accurate definitions of terms.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The fundamentals of project management are unlikely to shift much given the relevance of traditional waterfall approaches. Given that the purpose of the PMBoK, and other introductory texts such as this, is to provide a set of best practices for the field, the material will stay relevant. That being said, new methodology such as Agile is becoming increasingly common, so readers should keep that in mind and review newer methodologies on their own.

Clarity rating: 5

The textbook is very clear, providing definitions of key project management terms where needed. Additionally, case study examples provide insight into practical application(s) of the discussed topic, further elaborating on key terms and providing more clarity.

Consistency rating: 5

Throughout the entire textbook, the same terms are used and the formatting of chapters is similar such that the reader can get comfortable with the flow of material.

Modularity rating: 4

The textbook does an excellent job of decomposing project management topics into easy-to-digest sections, which the reader can comfortably read in one sitting. That being said, the textbook could benefit from sample exercises or problems after each chapter so the reader could apply the new knowledge in a practical way to enhance retention.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

All topics in the textbook are presented in a logical way, similar to the sequence in an actual project, where you begin with stakeholder analysis and conclude with project completion. This organization further allows the reader to understand the structure of project management processes.

Interface rating: 5

The textbook has clear examples, with graphics as needed, that are free from errors and are clearly displayed.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The textbook does not contain any evident grammatical errors and is therefore easy to read and digest.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Given the nature of the textbook and the way material is presented, it is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way.

Comments

This textbook provides an excellent introduction to project management by decomposing relevant structure and processes. I would highly recommend this textbook to students seeking to learn the fundamentals of a dynamic field. Supplemental material regarding Agile, and other new project management processes, can be provided separately to further guide class discussions.

Reviewed by Smita Singh, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 5/13/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The textbook is pretty comprehensive and covers all aspects of project management. The book is well - organized and provides power points and audio files in the end of each chapter. However some of the chapters are not much in detail. For instance, chapter 3 is pretty basic and should cover topics in detail.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I did not identify any accuracy issues.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The book is recommended for a senior level class. All the topics can be introduced in the junior sections, and thereafter, can be reintroduced in the senior sections.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is consistent with industry standards.

Consistency rating: 4

Some of the topics in this book are inconsistent and don't follow PMI standards. For instance, the phases of the project lifecycle can be reframed.

Modularity rating: 5

All the chapters can be divided into smaller reading sections and the language is very easy to understand.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

No issues with the organization of this book.

Interface rating: 5

No issues.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not find any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The book provides basic understanding of the project management discipline in a global environment and is politically correct.

Comments

Few of the chapters can be updated with the upcoming trends in the project management discipline.

Reviewed by Abdullah Oguz, Visiting College Lecturer, Cleveland State University on 7/4/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text covers all project management knowledge areas and process groups. The table of content shows all of the topics in an organized way. However, I think some chapters are short, and therefore they should include more content. For example, Chapter 3 “The Project Life Cycle (Phase)” consists of four main phases with limited information for each of them. This chapter can be considered as a summary. There is a lack of clarification regarding the structure of the text after this chapter. Agile project management is addressed with only the Scrum framework in Chapter 4.
One important advantage of this OER is that it provides PowerPoint presentation files and audio files for each chapter.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content looks accurate. However, some parts need more explanation with exercises and case studies.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The book was published in 2014. There are three updates in 2017 and 2019. However, they are mostly related to the formatting, not the content.
Although the book covers the main topics in project management, there have been updates in the primary body of knowledge guide (PMBOK Guide) published by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The sixth edition was published in 2017, and the seventh edition will be released in August 2021. Besides, in the meantime, new and emerging technologies changed the corporate and social environment with new opportunities, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the understanding of risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.
The content cannot be considered obsolete, but updates are required throughout the chapters.

Clarity rating: 4

The text is well-written, and it can be understood without ambiguity. However, a lack of explanation for some chapters and topics may leave doubts in many students’ minds.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 4

The text was structured for modularity with 19 chapters and sections inside each chapter. Therefore, it can be easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections although some chapters such as Chapter 19 cannot be considered a chapter, but a short conclusion.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The chapter titles emphasize planning. Actually, planning is the most important part for a project manager. However, in project management, project monitoring and control, as well as execution (implementation), should be highlighted separately beside the planning. Therefore, it can create a perception that undermines the importance of other phases and process groups.

Interface rating: 4

Although chapter titles are available in the Table of Content, sections of chapters are not provided. The quality of the images is good in general. However, several figures such as Figure 1.1 don’t have a good resolution.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not find any grammatical errors. However, this issue should be addressed by an expert in this field.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

In parallel with the global nature of project management discipline and diverse teams, the book provides examples of the implementation of projects in other cultures. For example, the “Project Management Expertise” section in Chapter 2 has a subsection “Understanding the Project Environment”. The last paragraph of this section reads “Project managers in multicultural projects must appreciate the culture dimensions and try to learn relevant customs, courtesies, and business protocols before taking responsibility for managing an international project. A project manager must take into consideration these various cultural influences and how they may affect the project’s completion, schedule, scope, and cost.” This positive approach is implemented throughout the book.

Comments

I found this book very helpful and included it in my two summer courses as a supplementary resource.

Reviewed by Debbie Austin, Part Time Faculty, Portland Community College on 1/11/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This text is a comprehensive overview of the basic functions and processes of project management. It is not an in-depth study in any one area of project management but does a great job of covering the end to end process for a survey or basics course.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found the text to be accurate and sufficient for project management topics.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

I like this text for the coverage of project management topics for a basic understanding of project methodology. Because it is a basics book, it does not cover agile methods sufficiently or address non-standard approaches to project management that could make it more relevant for today's project environments.

Clarity rating: 5

I really like this book for it's easy to understand language and straightforward layout. Students seem to be able to navigate and understand this book and are able to follow the direction that references the textbook.

Consistency rating: 5

This book is very consistent throughout with nicely structured chapters that are easy to digest in a single sitting.

Modularity rating: 5

This text has equally weighted chapters that are named appropriately and easy to understand. Within the chapters, there are section headers that make it easy to follow the content progression.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I use this book because it is so well organized. The chapters are clear and follow standard project management practice. They are structured by topic so it is easy to assign chapters that align to the content of the course.

Interface rating: 5

The text is well designed with supporting images and examples that make the content more clear.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I have not found any grammatical issues.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I have not found any issues related to cultural sensitivities.

Comments

This is my go-to book for basic project management course needs. It is easy to read, understand, and use and I love the basic coverage of project management practice that it provides. This would not be a text for any specific project management topics that need more depth but it is a great basics book for those just starting out in project management. I highly recommend this text.

Reviewed by Andrea Peterson, Faculty: Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 8/5/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This text is perfect for a beginner's level course in Project Management.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The text includes all the standard body of knowledge components making up the traditional framework of project management.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

As the text is organized according to this traditional framework, it is readily adaptable to updates of current examples and processes.

Clarity rating: 4

The text is definitely easy to read and at a level commensurate with a beginner's course.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is consistent in its use of terminology true to the body of knowledge of project management.

Modularity rating: 5

The text contains 16 chapters which readily fits the format of most college-level courses of 15-16 weeks of study. Additionally, chapters can be easily combined for a more topical study and/or a compressed delivery.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text follows the traditional methodology of study of the phases of project management and remains true to the body of knowledge required.

Interface rating: 4

The text includes clickable links for some images and figures making it highly interactive.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors were found in this text as it is written in a very professional manner.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

There are no cultural issues within this text.

Comments

The examples used in this text for explanation of the difficult subject of precedence planning and diagramming are that of planning a wedding, making this a highly valuable text for the hospitality industry and specifically meeting and event project management.

Reviewed by Keivan Sadeghzadeh, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on 6/27/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This textbook covers many topics in the area but could include more such as "Communications Management" and ...

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found the textbook error-free and unbiased ...

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The textbook is almost up to date but there are rooms for improvement such as numerical examples and case studies. Using more interested real-word examples id recommended ...

Clarity rating: 2

The textbook lacks adequate context for many technical terminologies and concepts specifically quantitative methods such as CPM and PERT. Many project management techniques are not discussed and explained in details and major improvement in this category (clarity) is required ...

Consistency rating: 4

Terminology and framework are almost consistence but minor reorganizing in topics using the order of the project management areas according to the standards and guidelines is suggested ...

Modularity rating: 4

More breakdown in chapters is suggested specially in chapters 10 to 16. These chapters require developed structure using different level to make the concept and content clear and easy to understand ...

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

As mentioned in "Consistency", using the order of the project management areas according to the standards and guidelines in order to apply minor reorganizing could be effective ...

Interface rating: 4

More graphical presentation and visualization techniques are required. Many areas of project management could benefit table, figures, and charts to present the context in a clear fashion ...

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I don't see any errors ...

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The textbook is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way ...

Comments

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Reviewed by Jonathan de Alderete, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell on 6/10/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is an excellent high level overview perfect for both business majors and engineers who are learning the ropes for staging a project.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

This is a standard overview. I would have liked to see a bit more in depth on the techniques for planning but it is laid out in a similar way to how industry tackles problems.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Luckily barring a major industry overhaul, this is a well established workflow.

Clarity rating: 5

The book was written in an approachable non-technical fashion, with minimal use of jargon. Additionally lighthearted graphics increase the engagement.

Consistency rating: 4

The table formatting is a bit jarring at times (Colors, styles and fonts) which can be distracting.

Modularity rating: 5

The chapters are about the right length for a student to read before class, these would go well with a comprehensive case study.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

There is a bit of a jump toward the end of this book (From project development to implementation is a bit glossed in my opinion), and I would have loved to see some implementation case study, but otherwise clear.

Interface rating: 5

No issues.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No issues.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

While the book does play some service to other cultures, I think a little more expansion on how regions can effect deliverable items as well as expectations is a major player. This won't be an issue to students or to the book, but I would add it as a consideration.

Comments

Overall this is a great primer on project management. I plan to use this book with Senior mechanical engineers to drive context on project planning.

Reviewed by Elaine Luther, Professor, Point Park University on 9/5/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Table of Contents should provide short description of content for each Chapter.
Would like to see more Business Examples, since this was listed under Business Area. Missing major projects such as; New Product Development/Acquisition, Capital Expenditures, Business Plans, Administrative Projects (Health Care Choices, etc.) Also, examples were confusing; some were project types, while others were job types, in C2.
The Preface had 5 elements of Project Management, but then C3 only had 4, missing Control. That should be the structure for the textbook, and it should be consistent.
Communication Planning should be an earlier Chapter rather than C15. Too late by then.
Good coverage of Group Dynamics, Gantt Charts, Budgeting, Quality Conrol, Risk Management, and Implementation.
Would like to see links to Excel for NPV calculations.
It would also be nice to have a case study of a project that flows through all of the Chapters.
,

Content Accuracy rating: 4

As referenced above, there was a discrepancy in steps in Project Management; preface listed 5, C3 only had 4 - dropped Control.
I assume this is a country of original difference, but Third Party Contracting is often used over Outsourcing. Same with Charter versus Contract. Not sure.
It seemed to be well edited.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

It has been around for a long time, but history should be more current/relevant - with examples students could understand. Perhaps steps to develop the iPhone?

Planning a wedding might not be a good example for business. Even planning a vacation or building a tiny home would be more relevant.

Clarity rating: 4

I prefer more lists, rather than long paragraphs.

Also, there could be concrete examples.

Have links or examples for finding budget details - trade organizations, franchises, etc.

Consistency rating: 4

Chapter 10 and 11 seem to cover the same steps of preparing timelines.

Modularity rating: 4

I think there should be an overview chapter that describes the process from start to finish, perhaps with an outline or workbook.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

C15 Communication should be up front.
Have Overview Chapter.

Interface rating: 2

I could not find the slides.
I could not get the audio files to open. Each time I tried, there was no back button, and I had to reopen the PDF and scroll down to the page.

Do PDF's have a find or go to page option?

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

It was well written. Very clear.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I would skip the wedding example for a business textbook. Event planning could be a substitute.

Comments

I was looking for a textbook that I could use with a Capstone course where senior develop a business plan.
I wanted a stronger business focus.
However, this is close.
Thanks.

Reviewed by Micheline Al Harrack, Visiting Faculty, Marymount University on 7/26/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This book covers all the topics relevant to Project Management. It outlines an overview of Project Management, the Project Life Cycle, and covers all knowledge areas as identified in the PMBOK 5th edition. It does not integrate using a software like Microsoft Project.
The book references Implementation instead of Executing even though it mentions Execution as an alternative. It goes briefly over Integration, and Monitoring and Controlling. It can be used as a textbook to be supplemented with a software package and the changes in the PMBOK 6th edition.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The book is accurate and in line with the PMBOK 5th edition.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The book is relevant and covers the principles of Project Management. It can be used as a basic reference even after the PMBOK 6th edition is out.

Clarity rating: 5

This book is clear. The style is simple, easy, and to the point.

Consistency rating: 5

The book is consistent in terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 5

The chapters can be easily divided and assigned as readings and reference materials in a course. The chapters are short, to the point, and simple to read and understand.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is organized. It starts with the overview, the project life cycle, framework, stakeholder management then moves to the initiation phase and dedicates 9 chapters to planning the different knowledge areas. It covers the Executing phase very briefly in the "Project Implementation Overview" chapter and the Closing phase in the "Project Completion" chapter.

Interface rating: 5

The book interface is clean. It is easy to navigate. Even though the charts are small, they are clear. I did not identify any problems in the display features.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text is free of grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is not culturally insensitive. Most examples are universal. None are offensive, in my opinion.

Comments

This book is a good Project Management book. The style is clean and far from verbose. The text can be revised at a certain point to align the terminology with the PMBOK .

Reviewed by Paul Szwed, Professor, Massachusetts Maritime Academy on 4/21/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The textbook offers a broad look at project management and provides a high-level treatment of most areas of project management. It would be a good introductory book on the subject, but due to its relatively abbreviated length, it does not go into uniformly deep coverage of all subjects or techniques.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Like most general texts on the subject, it provides an accurate view of what is commonly referred to as the traditional (or waterfall) framework for project management. There are alternative frameworks (e.g., agile) and other than a short mention in chapter 4, this text does not cover such alternative methods.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Most of the content in this text is useful and will benefit students in courses with introductory project management modules, or even entire introductory courses in project management. However, without additional support, the select tools and techniques described may not be in sufficient detail to enable a student to effectively apply them as a project manager.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is narrative in style and will be accessible and approachable from students of virtually any background or discipline. The text is not written for a specific discipline and adopts only jargon / technical terminology used broadly across project management professions.

Consistency rating: 4

The text lacked a bit of internal consistency in that the order of presentation of the chapters did not follow the framework for project management that was put forward in chapter 4 at the beginning of the book.

Modularity rating: 4

While I found the text to be a bit too abbreviated for my semester-long course, the chapters themselves were sufficiently short to be easily consumed by my undergraduate students. The text lacked any ability to easily decompose chapters further into sections or subsection, such that they might be adopted into specific modules.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

Perhaps because I come from a PMI / PMP orientation and bias, I found the order of presentation to be slightly disorienting. It not follow the PMI order (mentioned in chapter 1 and illustrated partially in Table 4.1) nor did it necessarily follow the typical chronology of a project. Instead project phases were interspersed within project knowledge areas. For example, there was an extended section on project selection (NPV, ROI, etc.) in chapter 7 that typically proceeds initiation. Also, there was an extended section on interpersonal skills (e.g., personality, conflict resolution, meeting management, leadership) contained in chapter 11 on resource planning - this is usually separated from the technical skills of project management processes and could have easily been presented in a separate chapter or appendix.

Interface rating: 5

The interface was simple and easy to navigate.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Overall, it was well-written and easily understood.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I think the text is acceptable, however when it is updated, the selection of examples could be more global and varied. There was a chapter devoted to culture that would provide an opportunity for readers to think more deeply about their own perspective and biases.

Comments

This is a decent textbook for project management, particularly when it is intended to be introductory. If educators are interested in developing technical project management competencies of its students, it may require supplemental materials. The next edition would also benefit from additional interactivity to further engage readers. Thank you to the authors and contributors for their solid work in putting forward one of the foremost OER texts in the discipline of project management.

Reviewed by Deborah Hommer, Assistant Teaching Professor, Penn State University Altoona on 2/1/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

I feel the book touches upon all the topics of a typical Project Management Book except use of a software tool like Microsoft Project. The book does not go into great detail on many of the project deliverables identified by PMI or PMD.

Also recommend:
Chapter 12-take slide 8 and add formulas and add to text content.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I did not identify any accuracy issues.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

I believe because it is high level, it will remain relevant.
Additionally, the level will negatively impact it use in higher level classes (400-level).

Clarity rating: 4

I believe it is well written with nice examples.

Consistency rating: 5

I found the book to be consistent within and with industry information.

Modularity rating: 4

The chapters are assignable as smaller reading sections.
They are in fact very small, high level information which I would augment with case studies.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

This books is organized like most other Project Management Books-Project Life Cycle.

Interface rating: 5

I did not experience any issues with the interface when reviewing this text. Limited graphics used had no issues displaying. Might recommend more graphics.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I feel the book is well written with no grammar errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

I did not note any cultural issues with this text.

Comments

I think this would be good for a 100 or 200 level Project Management class.
I would like to see some case studies and depth to be added so it could be used for a 400-level course.

Reviewed by Sang-Phil Kim, Assistant Professor, Winona State University on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Project management has soft skills and hard skills. Though the text covers all area and ideas of the subject it seems too concise, especially on hard/quantitative skills, such as critical path method (CPM), earned value analysis (EVA), and risk analysis.

It can be used a supplementary material.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Content is accurate.I didn't find any error.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Content is up-to-date. The text is written and arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be easy and straightforward to implement.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is written in clear, accessible prose. It provides enough explanations for jargons.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 5

The text has 19 chapters. It is easy to divide, to modify, or to rearrange.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text has a logical structure/organization.

Interface rating: 4

The text has no significant interface issues. The figures and tables are too small, but it can be seen in large version if a reader clicks the figure/table. I reviewed PDF version, but not sure in different formats.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I didn't find any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is not culturally insensitive.

Comments

More contents for technical/quantitative skills and examples.

Reviewed by Ziko (Ziad) Rizk, Computer Systems Faculty, LinnBenton Community College (LBCC) on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The book covers the project management topic very well. The author begins the book with why businesses should leverage project management, then moves on to the project definition, the project life cycle, the Project Management Institute (PMI) and project methodologies, and finally to each phase of the project life cycle (initiation, planning, implementation, and closing). The book does include an index, a slide set for each chapter, and is available in several different formats (HTML, PDF, etc.)

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The book is accurate, up-to-date, and unbiased. The implementation chapter is light. I think a complete chapter on monitoring and controlling would have added much value to the book.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The book content is up-to-date. While the project management field continue to evolve, and core processes and knowledge areas are mature and stable. The book is written in such a way that corrections and revisions will be straightforward to implement. Speaking of revisions, the author covers the five PMI process areas (initiation, planning, executing/implementation, monitoring and controlling, and closing); however, the implementation chapter is light with brief mention of the monitoring and controlling activities. A good chapter on monitoring and controlling would have add much value.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is easy to read and follow. While the author used many of the project management technical terminology, she did not go overboard. The majority of the chapters cover the content well.

Consistency rating: 4

The book is mostly consistent. The one inconsistent, I think, that requiring refinement is the project management processes. While the author used initiation, planning, implementation, and closing, the PMI uses initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. I think, it would be best to stay consistent with PMI.

Modularity rating: 5

The book is modular. The book consists of 19 different chapters. Each chapter focuses on a different project management topic. 9 of the 19 chapters focus on planning the different project management knowledge areas, which in my opinion, is appropriate.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The book is well organized and structured. The 19 chapters’ flow well. The content of flow of each chapter is also good. I already stated the implementation chapter is light and a separate chapter of monitoring and controlling would have added value.

Interface rating: 5

The book interface is very good. As far as I can tell, there are no interface and navigation problems. The images and charts are clear and readable. A few of the images are busy and still readable.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The book grammar is very good. While I was not focusing much on grammar, no grammatical errors stood out.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The book is politically correct. I think, I would have noticed if the book was culturally insensitive.

Comments

I think, this is a good project management book. I think the implementation chapter should be renamed to executing and beefed up. I also think a new chapter on monitoring and controlling should be added. Finally, the planning chapters could be adjusted to align with the PMI knowledge areas.

Reviewed by Dave Amato, Adjunct Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

I think the book does a pretty good job of this although I think the representative graphics were difficult to view as part of the book content. They are too small and required enlargement if you wanted to try to get anything out of them.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I was pleased with this aspect of the book.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

As long as there are projects to manage, this book will be relevant. As an elementary guide to the process of project management it does a good job.

Clarity rating: 5

Many text books are pedantic and verbose. This one is not. Basic language drives to the elemental point.

Consistency rating: 5

Well done.

Modularity rating: 5

I think the author did a very good job with her organization of the material, sequential steps and references.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Very good.

Interface rating: 2

The graphics are poor. I think there should be more use of charts and flow charts. The graphics provided are difficult to interpret or even see in the PDF version.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

Good

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

Very little opportunity in the subject matter to deal with cultural relevance. I found no insensitive or offensive references of any kind.

Comments

The graphics provided were frustrating. Given the nature of this subject, I believe more graphics should be provided; flow charts, story boards, scheduling forms, etc. I am a visual learner and find subjects like this are easier to grasp with visual aids and case studies. Some examples were used but I think following an actual, completed project; supported by photos of the product of the project management effort would be helpful in keeping the learners interest.