Customer Reviews

IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish, Second Edition (Certification Press)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Have you ever picked up a book which had nothing to do with your profession just to acquire knowledge about another field? Well, I did. I am an engineer with management experience, none of which applies to IT. I was first intrigued by Joe's knowledge of general management tools that apply to all types of managers (i.e. research, defining goals, budgets, etc.). Secondly, his book was the most enjoyable technical book that I have read. He brings life to his book with his subtle sarcasms accompanied by his technical expertise. I felt like I was sitting at his house, smoking a cigar, sipping on some brandy while he was explaining the intricacies of project management. (This is a big PLUS)
After reading his book, I feel that I not only have a greater knowledge of the IT profession and their environment, but I can also apply his reccommended management tools in my everyday management responsibilities.
I feel that Joe's book is a MUST READ not only for IT Managers specifically, but for all managers in general!

Have you ever wondered what it is project managers do while you're off cranking out code and fixing bugs? If so, you can get a really thorough coverage of the art and science of project management in the book IT Project Management - On Track from Start to Finish (2nd edition) by Joseph Phillips (McGraw-Hill/Osborne).

Chapter breakout: Initiating the Project; Planning the Project; Working with Management; Creating the Budget; Creating a Work Breakdown Structure; Organizing a Project Team; Building the Project Plan; Implementing the Project Plan; Revising the Project Plan; Enforcing Quality; Managing Teams; Completing the Project; IT Project+ Exam Objectives; Critical Exam Information; Working as an Independent Contractor; About the CD; Glossary; Index

This book actually serves a couple of purposes. For the beginning or intermediate project manager, this book serves as a guide to the entire project planning process. I know if I were placed in the role of a project planner (of which I have little experience), I would need a book exactly like this to guide me through the process. The other function of the book is to help the person who is planning for the IT Project+ certification exam. While I have no desire to go after that certification, I think I'd place this book on my study list if I were pursuing it.

Along with the solid content in each chapter, there are some features at the end that are interesting. One is a feature called "From The Field", which is an interview with a real project manager answering questions related to the content covered in that chapter. That's a nice move to add some practicality to the material. There is also a chapter quiz and exercises at the end so you can bridge the gap from theoretical to practical.

Overall, a good treatment of the subject matter, and worth getting if this is an interest of yours.

I am working toward upgrading my Novell CNE5 to Master CNE6, and the Comptia IT Project+ is a new optional requirement. In looking on Amazon and heading right to the Sybex book on the subject, the negative reviews overwhelmed me. Although, Sybex has never failed me, I looked further and came across Mr. Phillips's book. ...,
To my pleasant surprise, it is one of the best certification prep books that I have ever read. I found myself staying up late and getting up early just to read another chapter. It is interesting reading and Mr. Phillips has a pleasant conversational style with humor interjected throughout that made this a great read. The CD with the book has 4 - 60 question simulation tests that align well with the Comptia Objectives and a demo copy of Microsoft's Project helps the reader with the exercises, allowing actual hands-on simulations with the provided exercises.
Being a person who likes to be prepared for any certification test... that I take, I also picked up the Sybex book and am about halfway through. I have to agree with one of the Sybex reviewers that said to buy anything else, as it would have to be better. Well, "IT Project Management - On Track from Start to Finish" is not a book to "just settle" on, it is a winner and well worth the [money].
I am very confident that I will have no trouble with the test later this month.

I used this book in conjunction with the official Project+ study guide (2nd edition) to prepare for the Project+ test. I passed the test on the 1st try. I think this book is the best one to start preparing for the Project+ certification exam. I am selling this book on Amazon right now and include my 27-page exam notes for free. I highly recommend this book.

This was my *main* source of information to take the CompTIA IT Project+ exam. I took the test in Jan 04 and passed (FYI - the exam changed Dec 03). Even though this book was written to the older exam criteria, it did the trick. In the world of certification, passing is everything and I appreciated the information this book provided (and thus the 5 stars). My other source of help was a study guide from examcram.com, but it too was written for the older exam objectives.

This is the best book on Project Management (IT or other) I have read and I have read a lot of them. I am a PMP and got this to prep for the IT Project+ certification, very wise choice.

Book is very well-written, informative, and entertaining (yes it is entertaining) to read.

I highly recommend.

I got this book to brush up on the IT Project+ exam objectives -- and learned plenty in the process. It's the only book you'll need to pass the exam and to be a good PM.

This guy, Joseph Phillips, is wicked funny. He's got a sense of humour, wisecracks, and stories throughout the book. All books should be written this way.

I also liked the interviews with the experts from the field, though I would have liked to heard more from some of the PMs and less from others.

This book has a lot of great content. If grading on content alone, I'd give it a 4 out of 5. It would have been better if the book was better organized: begin with beginning stage of project and cary on through to the end.

If grading on whether it helped me pass the Comptia Project+ exam, I'd give it a 2 out of 5.

Perhaps back in 2005 when this book became public, the exam was similar to the book. Now it is not. The book only covers a 1/2 of the material.
I passed the exam only because I read the above book in conjunction with reading other books such as: Rita's PMP exam prep.

This is a great book. Not only it has broadened my knowledge about project management, but the exercises and quizzes contained will for sure help me get my CompTIA Project+ certification.

I'm at chapter 5 and things are getting interesting. One thing to note is the informal way the author presents issues. Contrary to some other certification books I have read, that had a fixed, formal approach, this book is like talking to a good friend.

This book is the ideal one to people that have to understand the principles of project management, but with focus in IT. Even though it can not give you a complete overview of project management principles (for this, you have to use PMBOK, from PMI), here you can find all the information necessary to manage IT projects.