If there is something that plays a crucial role in business progress and is at the core of successful operations, it is project management.
As the year 2024 approaches, the complexity and speed of projects is increasing, causing the responsibility and demand of managers to grow to the same extent, and it is up to them to absorb knowledge related to strategies and tools different from those they had already implemented.
In this dynamic scenario, the search for the best learning resources is therefore essential. Thus, this article delves into the universe of literature related to project management, exploring 10 best books that promise to offer crucial perspectives, innovative strategies and practical solutions to contemporary challenges.
Basically, this article fits like a glove for those who are experienced in the area and looking to improve their methods, but also for professionals who are starting out in this area. To that end, we leave you with 10 indispensable books, in our view!
Project Management: Absolute Beginner’s Guide
This book is among the best for those who are starting their adventure in the field of project management.
In fact, it comprehensively addresses all the essential concepts that a project manager must assimilate, from the planning and control phase to the transition to management practices.
The fourth edition of this book has been carefully prepared and incorporates the latest and most popular networked project management tools (the Asana is a great tool, as our clients know).
Project Management for Non-Project Managers
The name of the book speaks for itself. The purpose of this book is to encourage all functional managers to enter the complex universe of project management, providing them with the necessary fundamental skills, such as work breakdown structures, methods for risk management, preparation of performance reports, business analysis techniques, among other tools.
Be Fast or Be Gone: Racing the Clock with Critical Chain Project Management
For those who love to read novels, this book can be quite useful.
This book addresses Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) through two characters – Mike Knight and his son, Tim.
When Tim is diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, Mike quits his job to help a pharmaceutical company bring the only known cancer solution to market faster, using CCPM.
Basically, project management gets the superhero version here… or not. We won’t give away any spoilers!
Project Management Case Studies
This is a good book for anyone looking for examples. After all, it contains case studies from companies such as Disney, Airbus, or the Olympic Games themselves.
Since case studies are essential for project managers, this book offers a unique opportunity to experience project management in some of the most high-profile companies around the world.
This fifth edition of the book also focuses on the methodologies Agile and Scrum.
Agile Project Management with Scrum
And speaking of Scrum, here’s a book focused on that topic. Written by the co-creator of Scrum, in this book it is possible to have an introduction to all the rules and principles of this methodology through examples.
It will be possible to understand, for example, how to scale projects and solve complex issues in project management using Scrum.
It will also be possible to understand what the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is and its practices.
Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management
Although particularly focused on the software industry, as it is based on the author’s experience as a project manager in Internet Explorer, Windows and MSN, this book allows you to understand more about project management.
It cannot be said that there are examples of methods per se, but the way it is written allows for an easy understanding of it.
Epiphanized: A Novel on Unifying Theory of Constraints, Lean, and Six Sigma
This book is focused on TOC (Theory of Constraints) and shows how a project manager can use it to increase the productivity of their organization, demonstrating ways to implement this methodology.
In addition to TOC, there is also an approach to Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
The Agile Mind-Set: Making Agile Processes Work
In this book you can get an introduction to the Agile method in project management. In fact, it gives important insights into the best practices and tools to use in this methodology and how it can be used.
It will also be possible to understand everything about the 4 pillars of the Agile methodology – putting people ahead of almost everything.
The Lazy Project Manager: How To Be Twice As Productive And Still Leave The Office Early
Similar to the book Epiphanized, it also talks about TOC, Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
It is a book for project managers with some experience and includes an approach to the famous Pareto principle, which suggests that 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes.
Advanced Multi-Project Management: Achieving Outstanding Speed and Results with Predictability
This book offers us an advanced project management approach to complete projects faster and increase the number of projects executed using the same resources.
You will also be able to learn how to control the flow of active projects, implement a strategic reserve, enable faster execution and recover lost projects.