Information Technology Project Management, Reprint (with Microsoft Project 2007) (Paperback)

by Kathy Schwalbe (Author) "Five hundred people, all members of the information technology department, gathered in the large corporate auditorium at the request of Anne Roberts, the new Vice..." (more)
Key Phrases: technology upgrade project, many information technology projects, project management process groups, Northwest Airlines, Standish Group, Monte Carlo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Ray Guidone, "I feel the author has done a good job of keeping the text simple and well directed."

Product Description
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Fifth Edition weaves theory and practice together, presenting a comprehensive, integrated view of the many concepts, skills, tools, and techniques involved in information technology project management. With the strong pedagogical features and straightforward approach that made previous editions popular, this revised edition continues to address the critical skills needed for success in the ever-expanding field of project management, which has grown in its impact on an increasing number of professions, most notably information technology. The fifth edition has been updated to include a detailed guide to using Microsoft Project 2007, as well as extensive tips and practice questions to prepare readers for the latest Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. Written to the PMBOK® Guide 2004 set of standards, this resource will prove valuable to anyone entering the corporate world, as leaders in the industry place an increasingly high value on effective project managers and project teams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 521 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology; 5 edition (June 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0324665210
• ISBN-13: 978-0324665215
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #27 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Applications > Project
  #69 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Project Management > PMP Exam

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Basic to Intermediate Textbook on IT Project Management., August 1, 2003

By	Harinath Thummalapalli (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

As one can guess from the price, this book is geared to be used as a text book in a University setting. But almost anyone will find this book extremely useful because the book occupies a unique niche in the market on Project Management books.

There are several project management books out in the market that mostly fall into the following categories - General Project Management, Advanced Project Management, PMP Exam Preparation, and PM Software books. The problem I have had with these books is that there are very few that address IT Project Management and even fewer that use Case Studies throughout. I am in IT Project Management and absolutely require Case Studies to learn any subject thoroughly. Especially a practical subject like Project Management.

This book is perfect for an IT Project Manager because it - covers basic project principles, incorporates the IT view on every topic, has plenty of exercises to prepare for a PM exam (like the PMP or CompTIA's ITProject+), has a very decent section on using Microsoft Project 2000, a 120 day trial version of MS Project 2000 software in case you don't have it, plenty of mini case studies, a real-world running case study of the Northwest Airlines' ResNet project, and an excellent reference list at the end of each chapter. It is clear that the book was aimed at being the perfect reference for any IT Project Manager.

The only downside of this book is that it is very light on all the topics and does not address any advanced topics. But that would have doubled the number of pages in the book and potential been a turn-off to anyone new to the subject. It might not have appealed to an Intermediate level Project Manager either. So I don't feel that this is such a big downside and is actually a positive.

After obtaining my PMP, I came across this book when I was given the opportunity to teach Project Management Part-Time on a need basis at the Austin Community College. They use this book as the required text book for their comprehensive IT Project Management class aimed at those new to the field or those looking to gain a deeper knowledge of IT Project Management. I am glad I received a free copy of this book as I would have normally passed it up as too basic a book (since I already have my PMP). But I now realize that I will benefit tremendously by doing all the exercises in the book and strengthen/deepen my understanding of several Project Management concepts. So my immediate future is going to involve devouring this book.

I hope you too benefit from this book and enjoy using it for any one of the many purposes!

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the right audience, June 30, 2001

By	Linda Zarate "IT Ops Consultant" (Azusa, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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

This book is a truly valuable resource if you meet all of the following criteria: (1) you are either a Project Management Professional (PMP), which is a certification bestowed by the Project Management Institute to individuals who meet rigorous screening qualifications for education and experience and successfully pass a comprehensive examination based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), or are seeking the PMP certification, and (2) you or your organization primarily uses Microsoft Project.

For those PMPs and PMP candidates who use other tools this book will still be valuable, but not to the degree it is for the first group.

The book's key strengths are: it completely adheres to the PMBOK, takes a teaching approach, and starts with a case study that is used and expanded as each of the nine PMBOK process areas are introduced and explained. This is a powerful approach to teaching because the PMBOK process areas are introduced in sequence and the exercises at the end of each chapter reinforces the material presented in that chapter. For Microsoft Project users this book also teaches some advanced techniques with that package, and does so in a manner that is wholly consistent with the PMBOK. Moreover, it takes into account the unique challenges imposed by IS projects. As an added bonus the accompanying CD ROM comes with a copy of Microsoft Project 2000 that is fully functional for a 120-day trial period (Appendix A also is a quick guide to this software).

Weaknesses: Many IS shops have development methodologies, such as the Rational Unified Process, in place. Although most methodologies, including the Rational Unified Process, can be aligned to the PMBOK this book does not address how to do this in any detail. Another issue is IS in most of the larger enterprises, especially those with mature project management practices in place, use ABT Project Workbench, which is an enterprise-strength project management tool. This diminishes the value of this book to readers who are used to the more sophisticated features of tools designed for the enterprise.

This book is an exceptionally well written and designed tool for teaching the PMBOK within the context of IS projects. If you fall into the primary audience I described above this is a "must-have" book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First and best IT PM book, September 14, 2007

By	Andrew Hudson "will write reviews for food" (Southeast USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

Information Technology Project Management is the first book any technical project manager should read. It does a great job of laying out the challenges and tools of technical PM. It provides practical common sense examples as well as good historical anecdotes. This book has no fluff and no superfluous chapters, it's all meat. Even if you have been doing PM for years, this book has something to offer.

Reading and understanding this book cover to cover will get you half way to your PMP certification. You will need to get a PMBOK or a PMP study guide and spend another 2 - 3 months of study. But this book is absolutely the right place to start.