Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management [Paperback]

Mackenzie Kyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998 | ISBN-10: 0471642347 | ISBN-13: 978-0471642343 | Edition: 1

Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management provides a fresh and clear approach to project management. Written in the form of a novel, it covers the basics of project management in a friendly, interesting, and memorable way.

Will Campbell, a reasonably competent middle manager, is suddenly thrust into managing a high-profile project that could make or break his career. With no project management experience, and armed only with the guidance of his eccentric menror, Martha, Will learns the hard way. As Will navigates the rough seas of company politics, treacherous competition, and a project swirling out of control, he narrowly evades many pitfalls, and masters some indispensable project management tools along the way.

Against the backdrop of this personal drama, a simple, rational approach to project management unfolds. Will's ability to grasp these principles is the key to his survival, and could be the key to yours. Making It Happen enables the reader to transform risky, real-life situations into success.

• Provides a simple, non-technical approach, useful to any business person involved in teams or managing projects
• Offers practical tools and principles that will make any project a success: from office moves to product roll-outs, systems implementations to training program delivery, and everything in between
• Boxes, definitions, and charts highlight key points and practical project management tips.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a novelty in helping non-project managers understand what a project is and, above all, the art and science of project management. Easy to read, it captures an approach I would recommend to anyone."
— Dr. Calin Popescu, Professor of Engineering and Project Management, University of Texas at Austin

"[Mackenzie Kyle has] put a proven process for planning and managing projects into a great read."
— Richard Pearson, Managing Director, Priority Management Hong Kong

"Making It Happen is not only an easy read, laying out the fundamentals of organizing projects, but also brings to life the concepts."
— Gary Hamer, BC Gas

From the Publisher

A godsend for every harried manager who needs to learn the ins and outs of project management...yesterday! Written in a compelling narrative form, Making It Happen follows the trials and tribulations of a middle manager who has had a career-threatening project thrust upon him, as he learns the ropes of PM, the hard way.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471642347
• ISBN-13: 978-0471642343
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dull Topic Entertaining, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management (Paperback)

I could win awards for being a slow reader. Putting a book down is easy for me. By contrast, I was captivated by this one such that I had difficulty making myself stop reading to eat. While participating in the three-day Priority Project Management Breakthroughs training, our first night's homework assignment was to read the first 30 pages. Long before page 30 I was hooked. Mr. Kyle took an otherwise dull topic and brought it to life with such wit and wisdom that not only did I complete the book before the class ended (a personal record), but I understood Project Management so well that I felt like an expert upon its conclusion. This book makes the complicated art of project management a simple and humorous study in common sense and logic. It is so well written that I tend to think Mr. Kyle ought to quit his day-job and become a full-time author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book was creatively written embedding facts., September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book, because of the humor within the story. The author creatively embedded informational facts about project management within the story line. I was pleased to have a class textbook so enjoyable and factual at the same time. I looked forward to reading the book and was disappointed when I finished, because I felt like I knew MacKenzie and his characters.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great look at the process rather than the tools., September 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management (Paperback)

This book offers a quick and entertaining overview of the process of project management without the mire of tools and procedures. A great book for the thousands of people who have suffered through project management because they forgot about keeping it simple and using common sense.