Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

Kathy Schwalbe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0619215267 | ISBN-13: 978-0619215262 | Publication Date: March 15, 2005 | Edition: 4

This completely revised edition of the best-selling Information Technology Project Management recreates the experience of dozens of projects, both successful and failed, to provide a real-world context for learning. The author explains the foundations of project management - project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement - using the experiences of real-life businesses. This new fourth edition includes a running case, new PMBOK Guide, and coverage of Microsoft Project 2003. Accompanying the book is a revised companion Web site, www.course.com/mis/schwalbe4e.

Product Details

• Paperback: 677 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology; 4 edition (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0619215267
• ISBN-13: 978-0619215262
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a tenured college professor, author, consultant, and active PMI member, having served on the local and national levels. My Information Technology Project Management, now in its sixth edition, sold over 200,000 copies and was translated into Chinese,Japanese, Russian, and Czech. I also have another book, Introduction to Project Management, now in its third edition. My first full-time job was as a project manager in the Air Force in the early eighties. Before entering academia in 1991, I also worked on various projects at Boeing and Clark Oil. I enjoy teaching project management and other courses at Augsburg College, writing books and articles, consulting, and taking time to enjoy life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of IT Project Management, December 23, 2005

By 

ewomack "ewomack" (MN USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This book gives a good overview of the project management process in general with a focus on Information Technology projects. Though structured like a textbook (and obviously intended as one) the general reader, or someone studying for the PMP exam, could also benefit from the information in this text. Regardless, the book probably functions best as a course text (mostly due to the college textbook price). Each chapter includes definitions, discussion questions, exercises, and suggested readings. And a running case study that simulates real-world use of the principles introduced in each chapter pervades the book's 12 chapters. These cases help bring the material to life and animate the sometimes inevitably dry subject matter of project management.

The structure of the book follows the nine Project Management Knowledge Areas introduced in Chapter 1: Management of Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Communications, Risk, and Procurement. Each knowledge area receives a detailed chapter of its own (which, in a few places, leads to repetition in the text). The emphasis here, understandably, remains on documentation of IT projects and meeting expectations of stakeholders or customers. Though each chapter briefly discusses the use of software tools for each Knowledge Area, and Appendix A introduces the basic functionality of Microsoft Project 2003.

Techies thinking of making the leap to Project Management will likely benefit most from the Cost and Comunication chapters (though all chapters contain useful information). Programmers and Architects don't typically engage in financial analysis, but Project Managers absolutely must know these money-based terms, tools, and techniques to do their jobs. Not only that, communication often gets taken for granted in IT shops (i.e., the "we have e-mail, what more do we need?" perspective). The book tries to undo some of the bad communication habits that at times seem endemic to IT departments. Human Resources can also provide challenges for coders coming out of their caves, and the chapter on HR covers motivational theories and the basics of dealing with other people on a day-to-day basis (something else Project Managers definitely must excel at). By the end of the book, the message rings out: Project Managers do need some technical skills to succeed, but communication and people skills rise far above in importance for successful management of Information Technology Projects. The book does a good job of delivering that message as well as distinguishing Project Management as a unique skill for IT.

IT workers may or may not agree with the author's somewhat opimistic outlook on outsourcing in chapter 12. More of the sunny side of outsourcing gets emphasized here. The subject remains controversial amongst many IT groups and companies, and the author doesn't seem to give a complete picture of the issue. But some readers may welcome the idea that outsourcing isn't a completely negative concept. Lastly, though the book's title page says "2006", the author doesn't talk about the recent growing trend of Project Management outsourcing for IT projects (some IT professionals may look upon Project Management as a shield against being outsourced; this may become less and less true if this trend grows; but it may not).

The book also includes 2 CDs. One includes a trial version of Microsoft Project 2003, and the other contains "Project Management Simulation Software". So it's possible to put to practice (temporarily, at least) the principles learned in this book in software tools.

Overall, the book presents a good overview of IT Project Management. Some of the more advanced topics, such as Six Sigma and Monte Carlo Analysis, receive cursory treatment due to their massive scope and terminology load. But the book gives good introductions to even complex Project Management principles and practices, and will likely inspire readers to prepare for the PMP exam or to examine futher this unique area of Information Technology Management.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prepare for CompTIA's Project+ Certification, January 30, 2006

By 

Clark Cooper (Sherman Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This book provides an excellent overview of the necessary skill set and processes involved in IT Project Management. Starting with the triple constraint of Project Scope, Time and Cost, you'll learn from real-world examples and case studies what has worked for others.

The next section covers management skills required to work with your team to complete successful projects. The final third part of this book will walk you through every phase of a real-world case study, from initiating and planning a project, to executing and controlling your plan and finally closing a successful project.

Whether you intend to get a job as an IT Project Manager, or you are a self-employed IT consultant or developer, this book will get your feet set on the right path.

As an added bonus, this book may be the only book you need to learn the basics of working with Microsoft Project (depending on the depth you need to know this software). I find myself using Project for personal projects with many milestones and tasks; not just for work-related IT projects.

Finally, if you are looking to earn your CompTIA Project+, this is the book you need. It is also a good study aid in going on to earn your PMP Certification from PMI. The information in this book is very up-to-date.

My only complaint is the price. Like most college textbooks, the price is too high for the knowledge contained within. This book is very good, but it is no better than what could be found in a comparable book priced below $50.

A very good detailed overview of IT Project Management skills and tools that comes at an arrogant price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent seller, September 8, 2009

By 

S. Dash (San Ramon, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

As mentioned received brand new, sealed with CDs. Loved this purchase. Highly recommend the seller.