Information Technology Project Management [Paperback]

Kathy Schwalbe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0619159847 | ISBN-13: 978-0619159849 | Publication Date: July 2003 | Edition: 3rd

Most innovations in information technology can be traced back to a project: the behind-the-scenes work that, when correctly managed, results in a new system, a new technology, or a new product in the marketplace. This text builds a foundation for tomorrow's creators and managers by providing meaningful examples of real projects - both successful and failed - and applying the lessons they teach to a sound framework in IT project management.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ray Guidone, "I feel the author has done a good job of keeping the text simple and well directed." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Kathy Schwalbe is a professor in the Department of Business Administration at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where she teaches courses in project management, problem solving for business, systems analysis and design, information systems projects, and electronic commerce. Kathy was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota, where she taught a graduate-level course in project management in the engineering department. She also provides training and consulting services to several organizations and speaks at several conferences. Kathy worked for ten years in industry before entering academia in 1991. She was an Air Force officer, systems analyst, project manager, senior engineer, and information technology consultant. Kathy is an active member of PMI, having served as the Student Chapter Liaison for the Minnesota chapter of PMI, VP of Education for the Minnesota chapter, Editor of the Information Systems Specific Interest Group (ISSIG) Review, and member of PMI's test-writing team. She is currently the Director of Communications for the ISSIG. Kathy earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Minnesota, her MBA at Northeastern University's High Technology MBA program, and her B.S. in mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology Ptr (Sd); 3rd edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0619159847
• ISBN-13: 978-0619159849
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,448,070 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

53 of 55 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!

48 of 52 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

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.

10 of 11 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.