The Handbook of Program Management: How to Facilitate Project Success with Optimal Program Management (Hardcover)

by James T Brown (Author)
Key Phrases: project element, program communication processes, program process strategy, Risk Response Matrix, Human Resources, Five-by-Five Risk Matrix (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Establish processes that ensure the success of your project managers - and increase the profitability of your products and services With The Handbook of Program Management, you'll obtain the skills to incorporate new technology and people into your processes while delivering improved products and services that continually outpace your competition.In light of the Project Management Institute's new certification program for program managers, (PgMPSM) it's crucial that you have the understanding and processes necessary to deliver projects on schedule, within target costs, and that meet customer expectations.Program and project management authority Dr. James Brown helps you create the necessary culture that will ensure the success of your project managers and teams by providing the must have insights you would only get from a trusted mentor, including:  The price of delayed decision-making How calculated failure can drive organizational change. Why your best people often make the biggest mistakes. What the customer really needs to know (and not know). The essence of successful execution --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Publisher
Testimonials about The Handbook of Program Management

"Brown's book captures the essential skills of program and project management. It serves as a "how to" guide for those entering the business, as well as a refresher on the skills and attributes for those ready to take the next step. The book effectively defines the leader's role in creating the team culture and environment for success". - Eugene F. Kranz, Apollo 13 Flight Director, Retired Director NASA Space Operations, Author of Failure is not an Option

"Program management is one of the toughest jobs a person can hold ... and James Brown knows Program Management. Here's a chance to learn from the scar tissue of others rather than your own." - Norman R. Augustine, Retired Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation

"Finally, a pragmatic book that shares the secrets behind successful program management. If I was giving one book to program managers this would be it! Any business leader in today's environment of accelerating change will benefit from this book." - Jack Cooper, Former CIO, Bristol-Myers Squibb

I found Dr. Brown's book to be an excellent treatise on the challenges of program management, and, a very good tutorial on leadership principles to assist Program Managers. - General Lester L. Lyles, Former Commander of Air Force Materiel Command

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (November 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071494723
• ISBN-13: 978-0071494724
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Sense Book on Program Management, January 19, 2008

By	B. W. (orlando, fl) - See all my reviews

I've read the book from cover to cover and it's a excellent pragmatic book that explains how to manage both small and large programs. I can easily see myself using this as a reference for many years to come especially when I find myself trying to figure out how to handle one of the many of situations the author describes in his book.

The chapter on attributes of an effective Program Manager was really helpful to me as I was in the process of assigning one of my staff as a Program Manager. When I read the simple to understand attributes it really helped me to focus in on who on my staff could do the role. Additionally, it was an excellent guide for my selected Program Manager to use to understand what my expectations of him was.

The chapter that covered stakeholder management was another excellent chapter that I have sense asked all of my Program AND Project managers to read. I did this because it's an excellent chapter on helping the Program and Project Managers to understand what stakeholders REALLY expect of them. Additionally he goes over the types of stakeholders that you can run into and simple yet effective methods to work effective with them. For example he talks about the meddling stakeholder which all Program and Project managers run into. Here he guides you though why they might be meddling, such as they recently got burned by a prior project or there is a distrust with the organization. In these situations he recommends on involving them through many tasks and details. They want to meddle great jump in the mud, roll up your sleeves and help, otherwise step back and let those truly involved in the project get the work done while properly informing all stakeholders.
Over all this book is a really good and easy read.

I expect to be referencing for many years to come!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very well done, March 30, 2008

By	Susan Stahl (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is obvious to me that the author spent a lot of time thinking about this book before he started writing it. I bought this book to use as a reference while studying for the PgMP exam and found it to be very helpful for providing another perspective beyond the PMI standard and the exam preparation book that I bought.

For me, the ordering of topics is very logical and the writing is very clear. Where examples are necessary, examples are provided. Where topics are a bit more obscure, Mr. Brown takes the time to provide explanations to help you understand. I really can't find any major faults with this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read with real world insight and advice!, February 18, 2008

By	Jackie M (Colden, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This book was published in 2008, so the information in it reflects the current state of program management. In his forward, Dr. Brown states that his book will provide "a framework of structured, organized common sense". He observes that it requires "leadership and integrity to repeatedly execute successfully".

He then goes on to provide examples of project characteristics that indicate if there are problems with an organizations program environment. The examples he provides are both clear to understand and described in a way to understand the root issue. He then goes on to provide insight into attributes of an effective program manager, stakeholder management, program process strategy, program execution, communication and risk management. His book is written clearly, with practical examples and with actionable recommendations.

Now that project management methodologies have reached a level of understanding and maturity to provide companies with project managers that are highly effective, the focus needs to shift to the world of program management. Managing portfolios of projects across multiple business lines is extremely challenging and the processes to support these efforts are just emerging. This book is an excellent starting point to benefit from Dr. Brown's research and incorporate some new best practices into your Program management processes.