Results Without Authority: Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You -- A Project Manager's Guide (Paperback)

~ Tom Kendrick PMP (Author)
Key Phrases: retrospective metrics, controlling your project, results without authority, United States, General Project Metrics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…full of sound, practical, project management advice for carrying out IT and similar type projects…laced with the practical wisdom." -- Max’s Project Management Wisdom

“…important for all project managers, with and without authority… Packed with valuable guidance for controlling projects of all scopes and in any field.” – PM Network

"This book is full of sound, practical, project management advice for carrying out IT and similar type projects. It is also laced with the practical wisdom that only comes from years of "Been there, done that.'" -- Max’s Project Management Wisdom

“Results without Authority stands out by methodically and thoroughly exploring the issue of control throughout the project life cycle."

-Journal of Product Innovation Management

“Results without Authority stands out by methodically and thoroughly exploring the issue of control throughout the project life cycle….this practical project management reference brings together a lot of ideas and concepts worth considering for readers who are confronted with projects over which they have little to no formal authority."-Journal of Product Innovation Management

Product Description

How to take control of teams and projects even when you're not the boss.... Project leaders these days supervise few if any of the people that they rely upon for project success. Getting projects off to a good start and then maintaining control of them is an enormous challenge for a project leader who has little or no formal authority.

But there are many proven, powerful techniques a strong project leader can employ to keep projects and teams on track. Results Without Authority explores a wide range of effective methods and tools for leading a diverse team, and includes clear, insightful examples that demonstrate how they work in a variety of situations.

Packed with invaluable guidance for controlling projects of all scopes and in any field, Results Without Authority will help novice and experienced project leaders get the best from their project teams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (August 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814473431
• ISBN-13: 978-0814473436
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,369 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a readable project management book?, July 11, 2006

By	Jennifer Tharp "management consultant" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I have a few project management reference books, it's rare to find a book on the topic that you can actually enjoy reading from cover to cover.

Results Without Authority covers a lot of ground, and there's something for every level of project manager. The book would serve well as a guideline for someone leading a new project management organization, or for someone who's been in the profession a while, but would like to refine their skills beyond what's done in their own organization.

I particularly enjoyed a section about how to build currency with your team -- how to start, and how to enhance it over time. The author has really done an astounding job of putting into words something I'd have a hard time describing, and he gives lots of great ideas that are much more rational and sustainable than the usual team-building exercises you still see at organizations.

One other interesting part was his detailed analysis of choosing the right metrics for the project -- a gap for many project managers. It's easiest to measure what we always measure than to make sure our measures are counterbalanced and take individual project issues into consideration.

Throughout the book, he keeps your attention with clear, concise writing and the occasional unexpected laugh. A great read.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This stuff works!, July 19, 2006

By	Patrick Neal "Veteran Project Manager and Con... (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This stuff works! "Results without Authority" is a powerful source of tools and common sense advice for people managing projects without formal authority. And most of the projects I have managed and most of the projects I am aware of are managed by people without authority. Tom Kendrick brings a depth of wisdom that can only be learned in the trenches.

Kendrick weaves theory and practice to build a comprehensive set of tools, templates, and checklists that can be used by everyone from the newly appointed project manager to the steely veteran. This volume is the most practical, down-to-earth, treatment of managing without authority that I have ever read. And, it is a good read and an enjoyable read. "Results Without Authority" must be required reading for all project managers, whether they have authority or not. Read it today and start using it tomorrow.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of insight, July 25, 2006

By	D. R. Fullerton (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If Tom Sawyer had used this book, his friends would have done a far more than just whitewash a fence.

"Results without Authority" is just what most project people need to be successful. Projects where you control everyone are almost nonexistent. I have done project work for over a decade and this book was very helpful. The book contained so many insights that I used it as the basis for a 2 hour training session with my consulting group.