Best Project Management Books
- Michelle M
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Effective project management is a key skill for anyone helping to deliver projects. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just starting, books on project management can provide invaluable insights, frameworks, and strategies to enhance your skills. With a wealth of knowledge available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best project management books that will make a difference in your career.
In this blog we will explore some of the best project management books that every professional should read.
Why Read Project Management Books?
Project management books serve as a cornerstone for understanding the principles, methodologies, and best practices that lead to successful project execution. Whether you are preparing for a certification, managing a complex project, or looking to enhance your leadership skills, these books can be your ultimate guide.
Some of the key benefits of reading great project management books include:
Improving Planning and Execution: Books provide frameworks and techniques for effective planning and execution.
Enhancing Leadership Skills: Many books focus on leadership strategies, team management, and communication.
Keeping Up with Trends: The field of project management is always evolving, and books help you stay updated with the latest methodologies.
Gaining Certifications: Some project management books are essential for certification exams like PMP (Project Management Professional) and PRINCE2.
Top Project Management Books You Must Read
1. Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) - PMI
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) is considered one of the most authoritative books on project management. Published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this book provides a comprehensive framework for project management processes and best practices. It is an essential read for professionals preparing for the PMP certification.
2. Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 – AXELOS
This book is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the PRINCE2 methodology. PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is widely used in the UK and Europe and provides a structured approach to project management. Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 covers principles, themes, and processes critical for successful project execution.
3. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Although not a traditional project management book, The Lean Startup is a must-read for project managers in agile environments. Eric Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, continuous deployment, and build-measure-learn feedback loops that help startups and established businesses manage projects with agility and efficiency.
4. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time – Jeff Sutherland
For project managers working in agile environments, Scrum by Jeff Sutherland is one of the best project management books available. It explains the Scrum methodology, a framework used for managing complex projects efficiently while delivering high-quality results. This book is ideal for software development professionals and teams working in iterative environments.
5. The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win – Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford
This engaging novel-style book takes an innovative approach to project management and IT operations. It explains how to optimize project workflows and use DevOps principles to improve efficiency. It is a great read for IT project managers looking to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
6. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management – Scott Berkun
Scott Berkun’s Making Things Happen is one of the best books on project management, focusing on real-world challenges that project managers face. The book provides practical advice on scheduling, team dynamics, decision-making, and leadership, making it a must-read for new and experienced project managers alike.
7. Critical Chain – Eliyahu M. Goldratt
This book introduces the Theory of Constraints (TOC) approach to project management. It emphasizes the importance of identifying bottlenecks in project processes and using critical chain project management (CCPM) techniques to improve efficiency. Critical Chain is one of the top project management books for professionals managing large, complex projects.
8. Project Management for Non-Project Managers – Jack Ferraro
Not everyone managing projects has formal training in project management. This book is perfect for professionals who have found themselves in project management roles without prior experience. It provides foundational knowledge in planning, scheduling, and execution, making it one of the best project manager books for beginners.
9. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management – Eric Verzuh
This is one of the best books on project management for MBA students and business professionals. It covers the fundamentals of project planning, risk management, budgeting, and execution in a way that is easy to understand and apply in real-world scenarios.
10. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) & Agile Practice Guide – PMI
For those interested in both traditional and agile project management approaches, this book combines the best of both worlds. It provides a deep dive into agile methodologies alongside traditional PMBOK processes, making it a must-have for project managers working in hybrid environments.
How to Choose the Right Project Management Book
With so many great project management books available, selecting the right one can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best book for your needs:
Consider Your Experience Level: Beginners should start with foundational books, while experienced professionals may prefer advanced or specialized topics.
Identify Your Industry Needs: Some industries, like IT, construction, or healthcare, have specific project management methodologies. Choose a book that aligns with your industry.
Look for Certification Preparation: If you’re preparing for a PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile certification, opt for books that focus on these frameworks.
Read Reviews and Recommendations: Check online reviews, recommendations, and ratings to find books with positive feedback from other project managers.
Conclusion
Reading project management books is a great way to enhance your knowledge, improve efficiency, and develop leadership skills. Whether you are looking for a managing successful projects book, a project management body of knowledge book, or an agile project management guide, there is a wealth of resources available to help you succeed. Investing time in reading and applying insights from these books can significantly impact your ability to lead successful projects.
Subscribe and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Professional Project Manager Templates are available here
Hashtags
Comments