Customer Reviews

Nuts and Bolts Series 1: How to Build a Work Breakdown Structure (Beginnings) 1st edition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While an avid reader of Pritchard's columns in various PM periodicals, and thankful that he wrote and ESI published this book, I was disappointed. For what PMI calls the foundation of project management, the 55 page presentation of the WBS is miniscule. And one would expect a lengthy discussion from either the academic or empirical perspective, but it gives neither, nor is it a good hybrid. The book itself is no more than a few dozen poorly bound 8-1/2x11 pages that fell apart during my first session of reading.

To be sure, the manuscript does contain some gems of wisdom, but in the aggregate, they do not justify the price. There is only cursory discussion of techniques to create the WBS content (e.g., Delphi, Crawford Slip, NGT), and there is an amazing dearth of example and sample WBS's, unlike the PMI's practice standard document, and it only touches on integrating the WBS into the actual PM process.

"How to Build a WBS" is a document that all PMs should read, but it should be available as a low-cost or free downloadable PDF. For those PMs searching for a WBS bible, you must keep on looking.

This pamphlet provides a very good high-level overview of the WBS concept, but the sparse content does justify the $25.00 price tag. There are 58 half pages of text in this publication and it is a mere 1/4" thick. I was very disappointed when I opened the shipping box. Before opening the shrinkwrap I surmised that I had received a CD version, but was surprised to find a very thin, very spartan publication. The content, sans the intro, about the author, and index, would probably equal to ten back-to-back pages of information. This publication clearly did not meet my expectations.

I will keep this small, but powerful little tool in my traveling case forever! No other books have gotten right to the heart of how to organize tasks to get a relevant (fits the project at hand) schedule. This book outlines several different styles of organizing tasks into useful "lumps" of work that will fit any style of project from construction to implementation and more. This is a great reminder for seasoned Project Managers as well as a nice getting-started guide for a novice. I highly recommend this book to the traveling Project Manager--it's almost as light as my Sony Laptop!

I'll openly admit that I ordered this book with the full knowledge that others had forewarned - in their reviews - that this book was over priced for what you received. It seemed to have good content reviews, so I decided to accept it was over priced and get it anyway. Even with that upfront knowledge, I was SHOCKED by how skimpy this booklet (which is more fitting than to call it a book) was. I've never paid more than $7.95 for a publication of this size. It's basically a lengthy handout that has been bound. I could easily read it cover to cover in about 15 minutes (AND paid an outragous price for a used copy!). Can't say I hadn't been warned. Take if from me.....It's not THAT good!

I also purchased "Effective Work Breakdown Structures" by Gregory Haugan. It's half the price and provides basically the same content. Go with it and don't look back.

A very easy to read guide book. It addresses clearly one of the most important subjects of project management. After reading this guide, you will understand types of WBS and you will be able to apply WBS correctly to variety of projects. This guide is a must for everyone planning projects.