Harvard Business Essentials Managing Projects Large and Small: The Fundamental Skills for Delivering on Budget and on Time

Excellent product

This is one of the volumes in the Harvard Business Essentials Series. Each offers authoritative answers to the most important questions concerning its specific subject. The material in this book is drawn from a variety of sources which include the Harvard Business School Press and the Harvard Business Review as well as Harvard ManageMentor_, an online service. I strongly recommend the official Harvard Business Essentials Web site ([...]) which offers free interactive versions of tools, checklists, and worksheets cited in this book and other books in the Essentials series. Each volume is indeed "a highly practical resource for readers with all levels of experience." And each is by intent and in execution solution-oriented. Although I think those who have only recently embarked on a business career will derive the greatest benefit, the material is well-worth a periodic review by senior-level executives.Credit Richard Luecke with pulling together a wealth of information and counsel from various sources. He is also the author of several other books in the Essentials series. In this instance, he was assisted by a subject advisor, Richard D. Austin, a member of the Technology and Operations faculty at the Harvard Business School. Together, they have carefully organized the material within 12 chapters.1. Project Management as a Process (four phases)2. The Cast of Characters (i.e. who's who in project management)3. A Written Charter ("your marching orders")4. A Framework for Action (i.e. important first steps)5. Work Breakdown (i.e. from huge job to manageable tasks)6. Scheduling the Work ("put the horse before the cart")7. Adjustments and Trade-Offs (i.e. more fine-tuning)8. Managing Risk ("scanning the hazy horizon")9. Project Adaptation (i.e. dealing with what you could not or did not anticipate)10. Getting Off on the Right Foot (i.e., project needs to keep in mind)11. Keeping on Track (i.e. maintaing control)12. The Closedown Phase (i.e. wrapping up)I especially appreciate the provision of a "Summing Up" section at the conclusion of each chapter, and, the provision also of two appendices: "Useful Implementation Tools" and "A Guide to Effective Meetings." Re the appendices, all executives should possess and continuously upgrade a "tool kit" even if what is needed this week or this month requires entirely different "tools" later. One of the most important value-added benefits of the "Essentials" series is that each of its volumes includes a number of "tools" relevant to the given subject and an explanation of how to use them effectively.With regard to the advice provided on meetings (probably the single greatest time-waster), it is sensible but sparse. Years ago, I became convinced that most meetings are convened to discuss what needs to be discussed rather than to discuss what needs to be done. And even when the latter, more often than not, the "PTD Principle" is ignored (i.e. P = person, T = task, and D = deadline). I now presume to share my own advice.1. Schedule a meeting only when it is absolutely necessary.2. Include only those who must be present.3. In advance, inform everyone involved what the meeting's specific objectives are.NOTE: No more than three objectives per meeting.4. Limit the discussion entirely to achieving the specified objective(s).5. Encourage dissent.NOTE: If two people in the group agree on everything, one of them is useless.6. Have zero tolerance of gabbers.7. Strictly follow the "PTD Principle."8. Follow-up with everyone re who must do what and by when.9. Have zero tolerance of slackers.10. If someone suggests another meeting, see Point #1.Other than Appendix B, the material which Luecke and Austin provide is first-rate. I highly recommend it to decision-makers in all organizations (regardless of size or nature) and especially to those who are now preparing for a business career or have recently embarked on one. Effective and efficient management of work at all levels and within all areas of any organization is absolutely essential. However, what Peter Drucker suggested more than 40 years ago is even more relevant now than ever before: "There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all."

Its okay and quite informative

great book, highly recommend it for anyone who manages projects

So I got this book for a 4000 level class on project management. It has been my favorite college class so far and that is because of this book. The material in this book is not only academically sound material to use to teach a course, but this is something that I think all managers/supervisors should read.If you are a project manager, then yes. Read it.If you are a new project manager, DEFINITLY read it.If you are a manager who works near, with, for, or above a project manager, READ IT. Just read it.It isn't that big, only like 130 pages. The material is tailored to project management, but the lessons you can learn about team dynamics, planning, executing, evaluating, its all there. In doesn't go too in depth into any one subject, but it is a wonderful place to start as a surface level PM guideline.It really ought to be called "Project Management for Dummies" but i doubt Harvard would publish something with a title so beneath their stature.

I love this book. I have been in management before when I was younger 12-15 years ago and it is nice to see the something in writing that fits the way a business manager, supervisor etc.... should run his/her ship! Fast, I mean fast on their shipment! Thanks guys!

For business, healthcare and other disciplines, if you are trying to put together a project or even write an executive summary, this really breaks it down into manageable pieces. It's an easy read and easy to find what you need.

I've read other books in the Harvard Business Essentials collection, and this one is great also. Has a lot of the same topics as PMP books do, but in a more condensed and no fluff version. Great as a reference book for quick access. Definitely will keep this one in arms reach. You may need to pick up another book though if you want more depth into the topics this one covers.

For anyone in the business world, both large and small will appreciate this book. It covers a wide range of topics and ideas that will help out just about anybody. Not too dry and dull, but enough detail to help. It is a great starter book or a refresher.

Even if most of the points explained might look obvious, every one involved in a project knows how important is to have a structure. This book present clearly what to do and when to do it to have a successful managed project.

Received in good order

There is a lot to learn in this book. I bought it for class, but I’ll keep it for the future

I selected this as my textbook for a graduate level Project Management course. I found it to be very concise, helpful and easy to read. I've cited it in several reports, and would recommend it to any businessperson or student seeking to learn more about project management.

For business, healthcare and other disciplines, if you are trying to put together a project or even write an executive summary, this really breaks it down into manageable pieces. It's an easy read and easy to find what you need.

practical east to read advice

This book is an easy read and give a good comprehensive introduction to project and change management practices. If you're looking for a better understanding of project management practices but do not need extensive knowledge of the 4 phases of project management this is the book for you.

This book is authored very readably. The anecdotes support and reinforce the solid content and advice presented. It is based in reality and offers best practices rather than just offering theory. I don't find myself getting bogged down in terminology as I have with some other books.

Nothing particularly eye opening is presented in this book. I don't feel like I learned anything by reading it and I would not recommend it.