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How to Run Successful Projects III: The Silver Bullet (3rd Edition)

by Fergus O'Connell (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
See all formats and editions
Builds on the success of the first and second editions and reminds us all, in the post dot com era, just how important good project management practices are. New third edition now compares the Ten Steps of structured project management with any other methodology. Softcover.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0201748061
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0201748062
  3. Publisher
    Addison-Wesley
  4. Publication date
    January 15, 2002
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    7.75 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  7. Print length
    352 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Many project managers -- especially in software -- go their entire professional lives in ignorance of the factors behind the success or failure of their projects. Permanently, in a state of agitation and worry they just can't explain why some projects work out and others don't.

It doesn't have to be like this. There is a method underlying all successful projects, and if you follow this method, your project is guaranteed to succeed. We have called this method Structured Project Management. And the cornerstone of Structured Project Management is the 'Ten Steps' - the first five steps are to do with planning your project and the other five with implementing the plan and achieving the goal.

How to Run Successful Projects III -- The Silver Bullet builds on the success of the first and second editions and reminds us all, in the post dot com era, just how important good project management practices are.

Third Edition

  • This new edition now compares the 'Ten Steps' of structured project management with any other methodology (including PRINCE).
  • How to do the least amount of project management possible and still be sure of a successful outcome.
  • How to identify and monitor your projects 'vital signs'.
  • Has a quick and easy way to assess project plans and proposals ensuring that you catch potential disasters before they happen.
  • Includes daily, weekly, and monthly routines for any project manager to seamlessly incorporate Structured Project Management into their working lives.
  • There is a new comprehensive self-study course in MS Project 2000.

How to Run Successful Projects III -- The Silver Bullet covers the essential elements of project success packaged in an easy to apply and common sense approach which thousands of readers will attest works.

What readers said about the old editions:

'I can't thank you enough for taking the mystique and the terror out of project management. You have improved the quality of my life'.
Laura King, Bumblebee Software, USA

'Project Management is often portrayed as a risky and dull subject. O'Connell convinces the reader that it is instead an exciting and enjoyable experience; confidence and satisfaction coming from knowledge that the goal of the project is clear and that you know what to do to achieve it. Project managers who are not so confident or enthusiastic should read this book. It will radically change your attitude to your job'.
Computer Weekly, Ireland.


About the Author

Fergus O'Connell is founder and Chairman of ETP, an international training, consulting and product development firm specializing in project management. He is also author of Simply Brilliant -- The Competitive Advantage of Common Sense (Prentice Hall) and is co-authoring, with John Brackett, Managing e-Projects for Rapid Business Value (Addison Wesley). 0201748061AB07032001

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley (January 15, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0201748061
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0201748062
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Fergus O'Connell

    Fergus O'Connell

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    My mum read 'Treasure Island' to me when I was four and I think that was when I decided to become a writer.

    I used to think I’d like to spend all my time writing, but spending all day alone in a room with your imaginary friends isn’t necessarily the healthiest way to pass the time. (It’s easy to see why so many great writers’ best friend has been the whisky bottle!) So I also write books and teach and speak on project management. I’ve written sixteen non-fiction books and had seven novels published. My most recent, 'The Paradise Ghetto' is now in development based on my own screenplay.

    I’ve been shortlisted for prizes – the Kerry Ingredients Irish Fiction Prize for my first novel, 'Call The Swallow'; in non-fiction, for my book on common sense, 'Simply Brilliant' which was runner-up in the W H Smith Book Awards. My books have been translated into twenty-five languages.

    So far, all my novels have been set during wartime but I don’t think of myself as a war novelist. I write about people caught up in great events and how they try to find love in the most difficult of circumstances.

    I’m widowed, have two grown-up children and have lived in lots of places. Currently I’m living in England but that could be about to change.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Fergus O'Connell

    Fergus O'Connell

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
We don’t use a simple average to calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star. Our system gives more weight to certain factors—including how recent the review is and if the reviewer bought it on Amazon. Learn more
12 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mike Tarrani
5.0 out of 5 stars Effective techniques and easy reading
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2002
I've read more than 50 books on project management, and have reviewed a good number of them, but this is the first one that was fun to read. The author manages to keep the tone light and conversational, yet touch all of the important aspects of successfully managing software projects. While I am one of those die hards who doesn't believe in silver bullets--those elusive shortcuts to accomplishing complex tasks--any more than I believe in the tooth fairy, I think that the approach in this book comes close.
Although the tone is light, the techniques are solid. I like the way the author strips away non-essential tasks and focuses on what is essential to successfully managing a project. He starts with visualizing the goal, which is an exercising in defining project objectives, and introduces a key concept that will be used through the book: Probability of Success Indicator (PSI). These indicators are checkpoints for ensuring that all critical success factors are satisfied and are closely tied to risk management. I especially like the common sense way projects are approached - develop a checklist, emphasize leadership and teamwork, carefully plan and manage expectations and communicate. These are the essence of project management, regardless of whether you are using the U.S. standard set forth in the PMBOK or the UK PRINCE2 approach. In fact, all of the techniques, including the 10-step methodology given in the book, will work with both the PMBOK and PRINCE2 approaches.
Chapters I especially liked covered assessing project plans, issue resolution and how to shorten projects using accelerated analysis and design. I found some of the appendices valuable as well, especially Appendix 1 (ISO 9000 Estimating Procedure) and Appendix 2 (Structured Project Management, which summarizes the 10-step approach. If you use MS Project (which I do not), Appendix 6, Learning Microsoft Project 2000, may be useful.
The only shortcoming is the lack of earned value as a project control tool, but for small projects this isn't a major issue. Overall this is an excellent book for new project managers for software development projects and it is also full of tips and techniques that an experienced project manager will appreciate.
15 people found this helpful
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Randy H
5.0 out of 5 stars Project Management Analysis
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2007
I've read a previous printing of this book from 1997 or around then...I found this book to be very helpful in assessing and analyzing the parts of the project and making sure I don't run into the pitfalls of each phase. It was a great followup for me after Steve McConnell's book on project surivial. After reading this book, I was able to drill down in more detail each portion of a project before I was undertaking it to make sure I handled the project in the right ways.
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Asitha Goonewardena
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Material
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2008
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For some time I was looking for good reading material for project management and thought a friend reference I purchased this book last year.

At this moment I'm using most of the techniques described in the book and actually they works for me!.

The practical guidelines help lot in day-to-day project planning scenarios and management of projects.

This book is out of the traditional theoretical manner and I could recommend this for any body who would like to improve their skills on better project management.
One person found this helpful
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"carlosbb"
4.0 out of 5 stars I can only recommend it: easy to read
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2016
I actually read for the first time the former version (II). June 1997. Since then, this book has been an inspirational source into having the most adequate approaches to project management. And I have used them. I can only recommend it: easy to read, very well structured, pragmatical approaches. Great!
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Top reviews from other countries

Eddie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good product really liked it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2021
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Good product really liked it
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Roger T Fitzpatrick
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this approach to Project Manager
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love this approach to Project Manager. I think it is applicable to both professional project managers and to all of us that must deliver projects from time to time. Practical, useful and well written.
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Tony O'Byrne
5.0 out of 5 stars More detail;ed than "Fast Projects"
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
I use this as our project "Reference Manual". Fast Projects, by the same author, is a good reminder of the indepth topics in this book. The pair of books complement each other.
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