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Lacey
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Angel's Revenge: Red Fox Murders
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No Time to Die
On Fulcrum's Wings
Unscheduled Arrival
Red Ice
The Eternal Sphinxman
Reflection of Evil
Shark
Do Nothing Shadows
A Sinister Country Club
Screams from the Furnace
Once Brothers
The Seal of Solomon
A Switch in Time
Degree of Madness
A Deadly Exchange

Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition

Average customer rating:

Great buy!!!!!
Book is Fine
Great book
Excellent additional book for CAPM or Project + Exam
Prepare for CompTIA's Project+ Certification

Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition
Kathy Schwalbe
Manufacturer: Course Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management, Seventh Edition
Fundamentals of Technology Project Management
Modern Database Management (8th Edition)
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Project 2003, Introductory

ASIN: 0619215267

Book Description

Recreates the experience of dozens of projects, both successful and failed, to provide a real-world context for learning.

Customer Reviews:

Great buy!!!!!.......2007-03-08

The book got to me in a timely manner and was in great shape.

Book is Fine.......2007-01-09

What can I say, the instructor required this book, so I purchased it. Well laid out. Broken down into sections that make sense when learning project management. The examples in the appendix could be done a little better, but the appendix is already over 100 pages. Wish it would have the Index on CDROM for easier searching, but overall it is a good book.

Great book .......2007-01-04

I used this book as the accredited book for my project management course in my master study, actually it is a great book, I did not get enough time to read it all, but it really covers all the project managemnt subtitles, I recommend it for those who have project management experience, and also for those who just need to know something about project manegment, but you make sure you have time to read, it is not a small before sleep book, it is really technical one.

Excellent additional book for CAPM or Project + Exam.......2006-10-14

I was issued this book for my project management class this past spring. The information contained in this particular book was detailed, and the author provided great examples plus a 120-day trail version of MS Project management software to add in practical development. I am using this book as additional information to pass the Certifed Associate in Project Management exam offer by the Project Management Institute.

Prepare for CompTIA's Project+ Certification.......2006-01-31

This book provides an excellent overview of the necessary skill set and processes involved in IT Project Management. Starting with the triple constraint of Project Scope, Time and Cost, you'll learn from real-world examples and case studies what has worked for others.

The next section covers management skills required to work with your team to complete successful projects. The final third part of this book will walk you through every phase of a real-world case study, from initiating and planning a project, to executing and controlling your plan and finally closing a successful project.

Whether you intend to get a job as an IT Project Manager, or you are a self-employed IT consultant or developer, this book will get your feet set on the right path.

As an added bonus, this book may be the only book you need to learn the basics of working with Microsoft Project (depending on the depth you need to know this software). I find myself using Project for personal projects with many milestones and tasks; not just for work-related IT projects.

Finally, if you are looking to earn your CompTIA Project+, this is the book you need. It is also a good study aid in going on to earn your PMP Certification from PMI. The information in this book is very up-to-date.

My only complaint is the price. Like most college textbooks, the price is too high for the knowledge contained within. This book is very good, but it is no better than what could be found in a comparable book priced below $50.

A very good detailed overview of IT Project Management skills and tools that comes at an arrogant price.

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)

Average customer rating:

You can't complain the exam guide provided by the exam sponsor
A Must Have for Project Managers
THE Project Management Book
PMBoK Guide, 3rd edition
PMBOK

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)
Project Management Institute
Manufacturer: Project Management Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam
Q & As for the PMBOK Guide
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The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series)
PMP In Depth: Project Management Professional Study Guide for PMP and CAPM Exams (In Depth)

ASIN: 193069945X

Book Description

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)—2000 Edition is now available in eight additional languages to help project managers around the world.

Each of PMI's official translations includes a bilingual glossary of newly translated and standardized project management terminology. This allows candidates to study the guide in the same language in which they plan to take the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam.

PMI undertook a rigorous, year-long process to ensure the maximum effectiveness of each official translation. Each translation team included qualified bilingual PMPs as well as professional translators and editors.

Official translations: Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Korean, German and Italian.

Customer Reviews:

You can't complain the exam guide provided by the exam sponsor.......2007-06-24

Even though I did not take the exam, PMP is still a great framework for anyone how needs to manage projects, or wants to know more about project management. The breakdown of the content is very clear; you can use this CD-ROM as a reference, or you can verify the overall quality of your company's project management process compared with this framework.

A Must Have for Project Managers.......2007-06-02

Like many other reviewers, I do not find this Guide very well written. Nevertheless, It's the Standard, and every project manager ought to have it. It does present a lots of good information, and it is the only reference you need to prepare for the CAPM exam. However, if you are using this Guide for the exam, to use some Study Guide in addition to this book will be a good idea.

THE Project Management Book.......2007-05-23

I understand everyone's frustration with the PMBOK. The challenge with the PMBOK is that one has to understand that this is NOT a teaching book, rather it is a catalogue of the parts of Project Management. Because PMI is THE authority on Project Management, one simply must accept it for what it is: PMBOK's usefullness is primarily for passing the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, and again, it doesn't matter what the truth is so much, what matters on the exam is the "PMI'isms" mostly found in the PMBOK for the exam.

To learn and tie the components of PMBOK together there are very good TEACHING books are out there, my favorite come from RMC, Rita Mulcathy, et al.

I have helped many through the PMP and the PMBOK *must* be the starting place to pass the exam. I encourage all my 'students' to read it TWICE, (both are painful!!) the first time through simply gain the overall perspective of this CATALOGUE of PM Parts, the second time through see how the parts fit together, the PROCESS GROUPS and the KNOWLEDGE AREAS, how they fit together in THE MATRIX and then the second dimension of how they SEQUENCE.

Most of the successful candidates on the PMP can recreate this matrix, PROCESS GROUPS / KNOWLEDGE AREAS from rote memory immediately before the exam (on the blank sheets they give you) and the 150+ inputs/tools techniques/outputs and their order of sequence --no small task, but the PMP is worth it.

Again, the PMBOK is the essence of PMI and PMP. No real value in being critical of it, but take it for what it is, a tool, and make yourself a PMP from this material. (Actually, once you see what the PMI has done here one can take a prespective to appreciate the succinct, no nonsense way they assembled the info. . .

PMBoK Guide, 3rd edition.......2007-05-20

Much better than the 2nd edition; better and detailed explanations for most of the processes.

PMBOK.......2007-05-19

This is necessary today for a project management professional. However, one should note that if one signs up to be a member of PMI, they provide a softcopy on a disk for joining.

The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition

Average customer rating:

Book used as part of a Black Belt Program
Six Sigma at its best!
Pyzdek Six Sigma Handbook
THE Six Sigma reference
The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Green Belts, Blackbelts, and managers at all levels

The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition
Thomas Pyzdek
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook: A Quick Reference Guide to 100 Tools for Improving Quality and Speed
Statistics for Six Sigma Made Easy
The Six Sigma Project Planner : A Step-by-Step Guide to Leading a Six Sigma Project Through DMAIC
Six Sigma for Dummies
What is Lean Six Sigma

ASIN: 0071410155

Product Description

Brand new book, autographed by author.

Customer Reviews:

Book used as part of a Black Belt Program.......2007-05-14

I am reading the book as part of a SixSigma Black Belt program, currently at page 327. Reading as I am for comprehension, I find that there is a information in just about every line of the book. Pyzdek demonstrates his experience in the field of improvement, as all dimensions are thoroughly addressed. As an experienced engineering manager, I do not see too many stones unturned.

Six Sigma at its best!.......2007-04-06

The book is written in very clear terms, following the developments in technology and six sigma theory.
All the latest issues of six sigma are covered and explained in detail.
Generally, six sigma at its best!

Pyzdek Six Sigma Handbook.......2007-01-06

This is a good source and reference for the six sigma system/process. It is organized in a logical and concise order.

THE Six Sigma reference.......2006-12-13

I am a black belt and without this book, none of the reams and gigs of training materials would be of any use to me.

If you do or want to do six sigma...get this.

The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Green Belts, Blackbelts, and managers at all levels.......2006-11-10

This book is the "Bible" of Six Sigma and an absolute must for anyone involved in the business of Six Sigma.

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling

Average customer rating:

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling
Good Book: If You Use It For What It Is
I hate textbooks...
Best book on Project Management

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling
Harold, Ph.D. Kerzner
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)
Project Management Case Studies
Project Management Workbook and PMP/CAPM Exam Study Guide , 9th Edition
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Second Edition
PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

Accessories:

Project Management Workbook and PMP/CAPM Exam Study Guide , 9th Edition
Project Management Case Studies

ASIN: 0471741876

Book Description

This Ninth Edition of the industry-leading project management “bible” applies its streamlined approach to new, authoritative coverage aligned with the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMI’s PMBOK), the new mandatory source of training for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam. Written by one of the best-known authorities on the subject, this extraordinary edition gives a profound understanding of project management.

Customer Reviews:

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling.......2007-05-14

This book is well thoughtout and easy to read. The layout including the PMI PMP reference is excellent.

Good Book: If You Use It For What It Is.......2007-01-28

I'm a book worm. I have studied the PMBOK Guide, the three standard PMP Study Guides (Rita, Sanghera, and Crowe), this book, and many others. This book is a good reference book for project management. It has lots of useful stuff in it. However, following is my opinion:
1. This book is NOT compatible with the PMBOK Guide. Simple: this book (as the name suggests) adopts a system approach to project management while PMBOK Guide takes the process approach. A fundamental difference. This book was originally written long time ago (this is the 9th edition). The PMBOK guide and this book started from different roots.
2. Do not use this book to prepare for the PMI exams (CAPM and PMP). Due to the difference in approaches, you will end up getting confused and lost in 1000 pages of this book.
3. Don't be fooled by the reference to the PMBOK Guide at various places in the book. Just stamping a material with the PMBOK Guide reference does not make it compatible with the PMBOK Guide.
4. Now, the fact that this book takes a different approach from the PMBOK Guide is not necessarily a bad thing. You can use it if you are looking for approaches to PM other than the PMBOK Guide approach. You can also use this book for academic exploration after you have mastered the PMBOK Guide approach and passed your PMP exam (if that's what you are up to).
Bottom line: Good PM reference but not the right book for the PMP exam preparation.

I hate textbooks..........2007-01-04

...but I enjoyed this one. Kerzner is a good writer. He is also remarkably funny considering the subject matter.

Best book on Project Management.......2006-06-30

This is the best book i've ever read on PM. If you are thinking on taking the PMI exam, read this book. If you're looking for a book to learn PM, read this book. If you're trying to apply best practices on your PM day to day practice, definitely, read this book.
This book is a classic. I have heard some PMPs quoted and recomended this book.

Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic (American Empire Project)

Average customer rating:

The Sky is Falling
Another anti-American, anti-semitic, liberal
Nemesis The Last Days of the American Republic
ON BEING AN IMPERIALIST STATE
Torture, Wars of Imperialism, and trillions in debt, oh my!

Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic (American Empire Project)
Chalmers Johnson
Manufacturer: Metropolitan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army
Armed Madhouse: From Baghdad to New Orleans--Sordid Secrets and Strange Tales of a White House Gone Wild

ASIN: 0805079114
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Book Description

The long-awaited final volume of Chalmers Johnson’s bestselling
Blowback trilogy confronts the overreaching of the American empire and the threat it poses to the republic

In his prophetic book Blowback, Chalmers Johnson linked the CIA’s clandestine activities abroad to disaster at home. In The Sorrows of Empire, he explored the ways in which the growth of American militarism and the garrisoning of the planet have jeopardized our stability. Now, in Nemesis, he shows how imperial overstretch is undermining the republic itself, both economically and politically.

Delving into new areas—from plans to militarize outer space to Constitution-breaking presidential activities at home and the devastating corruption of a toothless Congress—Nemesis offers a striking description of the trap into which the dreams of America’s leaders have taken us. Drawing comparisons to empires past, Johnson explores in vivid detail just what the unintended consequences of our dependence on a permanent war economy are likely to be. What does it mean when a nation’s main intelligence organization becomes the president’s secret army? Or when the globe’s sole “hyperpower,” no longer capable of paying for the vaulting ambitions of its leaders, becomes the greatest hyper-debtor of all times?

In his stunning conclusion, Johnson suggests that financial bankruptcy could herald the breakdown of constitutional government in America—a crisis that may ultimately prove to be the only path to a renewed nation.

Customer Reviews:

The Sky is Falling.......2007-06-28

I said that because of time constraints I would not be writing more reviews, but this is an important book and I felt compelled to do it.

In Nemesis: The Last days of the American Republic Chalmers Johnson makes strong claims about the danger we're in from our own leaders. I'll stipulate to many of his warning signs and dangers, but I come up way short of his conclusions.

We're an empire. I have no trouble with that; we've been acting like one since the days of Jefferson and Monroe. Certainly we acted like an Empire in the Mexican War, in our behavior during the Spanish American War and in the period since World War II. But Johnson makes us sound like the only nation to exhibit such behavior since the British started assembling their world of pink and we're not. The Italians, Germans, and Japanese got all caught up in imperial thinking, and don't forget them old Soviets.

With the end of the Cold War, we were the only ones left standing tall and with money to burn, and we've been throwing a lot of that money and our hard power around, often recklessly, and Johnson points out many of our flaws and warts, sometimes very effectively. But, frankly, despite being riveted by the tale, I didn't like the book very much.

Those like me in the middle of the political spectrum don't have many people screaming for our side - I suppose the center isn't a side. We`re caught between those on the right trying to scare the bejesus out of us with the idea that every Muslim woman in Kansas City has a bomb up her burka and that every young adherent of Islam in Detroit wants to cut off our heads with his scimitar. On the left we have writers like Johnson pointing out every action by George IV and Dick Cheney, aka Richard III, as another step in our enslavement under the new tyranny of President for Life George W.

Unfortunately for Johnson, the book came out prior to the November 2006 Congressional election, and the Democrats have made the emperor and his prime minister look something less than Augustus and his head of the Praetorian Guard. That's not to say that we in the middle don't see all or many of the dangers that Johnson points out in his `sky is falling' style.

To Johnson it seems that every soldier is a jack booted maniac intent on terrorizing innocent civilians in places like Iraq. Frankly, I think our warriors come off pretty badly but through little fault of their own. In Johnson's world half the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen stationed across the globe do little but act as hooligans and rapists in terrorizing the locals. Here again a little truth goes a long way. I'm not excusing our troops with a boys will be boys escape clause. Certainly, many horrible acts have been committed, and we should be cracking down on all violence against our allies. But the vast majority of those wearing our uniform have got to be half way decent men and women. Exceptions can't be used to prove the rules, and Johnson really does this.

Johnson's thesis is that we use our soft power to force allies across the globe to swallow our presence. Let's get real, the leaders of the host countries have to see some benefits to having our bases in their countries, or they simply wouldn't do it, and not everybody in power in other countries is on the take. I know that many of our bases are unwelcome. Guantanamo comes to mind, and certainly Fidel would like us out of there permanently, but, in the absence of the ability to chuck us into the Atlantic, he does permit Cubans to go to work each day and bring greenbacks to his side of the fence.

The author's complaints against the military industrial complex are right on the money, but he's hardly the first to see the danger. Washington and Madison were way ahead of him and I heard Ike's direct warning loud and clear. The dangers and techniques of the practitioners are well known and we are indeed in danger of tyranny if we don't do better in dealing with this threat. I'll also grant Johnson that he's right in his fears about missile defense and space warfare.

He's also right that Bush and Cheney were overly aggressive in aggrandizing executive power, and I support his views on this. His fears that the imperial presidency and the military industrial complex have neutered the Congress is scary, on target, and not to be dismissed lightly, but it's also true that the Democrats - joined now by more than a few on the other side - are beating that jack back into his box. It's an unending battle between branches, but my friends and I have been preaching the benefits of divided government for the entire period of these present abuses. The people, despite the bombardment of fear from both sides, seem to understand the problem and are supporting the new found courage of the Congress.

Before closing, I want to say something personal about Bush and Cheney. I hate what they've done in Iraq and despise the tactics they've used to gain power to diminish those who oppose them. But I do not for a minute believe that their intent was to become tyrants and dictators. They've done a lousy job, but they're not of the evil intent to destroy the Republic.

Johnson is quick with `some say' and `some think' arguments that cannot be truly tested, and there are some technical errors - I think. For example, he points to an air base in Asia that has a 13,800 foot runway and which is manned by 3,000 Americans, all this on 37 acres. They must be packing those troops into a mighty tall high rise barracks building and the planes must have a very narrow wingspan.

Despite all my complaints, I recommend this book, but as a practicing propagandist I warn you that it's a little more than over the top in its assertions and accusations.

Another anti-American, anti-semitic, liberal.......2007-06-18

These types of anti-Israel and anti-America books need to be banned. I love this country and I, like most intelligent, informed Americans believe war is the answer, not the peace suggested by liberals like Johnson. The more powerful our military is, the safer America and the world will be, GUARANTEED!
If you want the terrorists to win, then this is the book for you.

Nemesis The Last Days of the American Republic.......2007-06-09

If you can read only one book this year - this is the one you MUST read. Be prepared to be frightened for the future of America as we've known it!

ON BEING AN IMPERIALIST STATE .......2007-05-30

Over the past several years there have been a rash of books on the subject of the United States as a dominant imperialist power continuing in the tradition of the Roman and British Empires. In fact this subject has become something of a cottage industry if a google search is any indication. These inquiries have noticeably mushroomed in the wake of the presumptions about preemptive war of the current George Bush Administration, particularly concerning the quagmire in Iraq. The thrust of most of the current analysis, and this premise applies as well to the present book, has been centered on whether and to what extend American imperialism is merely a governmental policy question. This implies that prior to the Bush debacle America was apparently not a classic imperialist power. Not so. One can clearly trace the main imperialist policy of `creating spheres of influence' in America at least since the bloody Spanish-American War in the 1890's. Moreover, Leninists have argued, and I agree, that the central thrust of modern imperialism is driven by the need for expanding markets under the international capitalist system. Policy, to a great extent, merely reflects those underlying demands. Notwithstanding my political and analytical differences with the author it is always good to find a solid analysis of the current state of American imperialism by a non-Marxist source. Chalmers Johnson has written such a book and all of those who seek to do something about getting rid of the imperialist system should pay attention to his arguments, if not to his "solutions".

Johnson lays out, as befits the nature of the subject, a comparison between the current of American imperialism and the previous `high' imperialist regimes in Rome and Britain. While comparison with previous imperial systems is interesting it does not distinguish enough one salient fact that makes the current situation exceptional. American imperialism makes the old Roman and British systems seem like punk bush league operations by almost every measure, militarily, economically, socially and culturally. Johnson cogently notes the massive and deep expansion of American military presence in most of the countries of the world in the post-World War II, and particularly the post-Soviet period. This is a manifestation of the old idea that trade follows the flag. Mr. Johnson provides many interesting other pieces of information here and one should mass the information for further use. As for Johnson's political conclusions they are rather timid and refer back to a classical liberal program of curbing the excesses of the imperial system rather than getting rid of it. This is in line with the by now old timeworn idea of a mythical American Republic of Virtue, a capitalist republic that is. Obviously that is where militant leftists part company with Mr. Johnson. Nevertheless this is a book one needs to read to be armed with the latest information in the struggle against American imperialism. No doubt about it.

Torture, Wars of Imperialism, and trillions in debt, oh my!.......2007-05-30

Wow! This was an eye opening and awe inspiring book that was brilliantly crafted and written by the witty and smart Mr. Johnson. Without a doubt, Mr. Johnson has now become one of my favorite political analyst right next to Gore Vidal - author of the brilliant "Imperial America".

In this wonderful tome - which is the third book of the "Blowback" trilogy - Mr. Johnson powerfully demonstrates how the USA has all but lost it's Republic intension and founding, and has transformed into the twenty first century Rome. He shows how, using stark evidence along with a quick wit, America has transformed into it's worst nightmare, that is, a global empire that is run by a ruthless and powerful president with the most powerful military and intelligence agency in history at his fingertips. One example, though, of Mr. Johnson's crafty wit is found on page 13,

"The United States is today is like a cruise ship on the Niagra River upstream of the most spectacular falls in North America. A few people on board have begun to pick up a slight hiss in the background, to observe a faint haze of mist in the air on their glasses, to note that the river current seems to be running slightly faster. But no one yet seems to have realized that it is almost too late to head for shore."

How true! Anyways, as I said before, this was an eye opening book that I would recommend to anyone who wishes to find out exactly what our "wars of liberation" and "wars against terrorism" are really about and how - if - we can fix that. Five stars, this was a fantastic book!

Oh, one more thing. As I was reading this book, and how Congress has become as useless as the Roman tribune before Caesars's takeover of Rome and how the military has basically come to do the thinking for the president and our other "leaders", there was one thing that kept running through my mind. And as I read how good ol' Uncle Sam - or "Big Brother" is more like it - has put us in trillions of dollars in debt, something like 300,000 billion dollars a month for the "defense" budget, and how the CIA has virtually become Pres. Bush's private army, I remembered something. And as I read how the US military has caused more "collateral damage" in Iraq than even the Muslim fundamentalists, how it was ordered by top ranking US army officers to torture POW's in order to get information and how the US purposely caused the destruction of Iraq's infrastructure (i.e. roads, hospitals, sewer plants, power plants, water sanitation plants) to prove a point to Saddam, and thus causing hundreds of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children to die from diseases such as cholera and dysentery, I remember what one man said concerning the future of the US government,

"I prophesy in the name of the Lord of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the saints in the state of Missouri and punish crimes committed by her officers, that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished, thereby perpetrating a foul and corroding blot upon the fair fame of this great republic, the very thought of which would have caused the high-minded and patriotic framers of the Constitution of the United States to hide their faces with shame."

Joseph Smith, a prophet? I think so! Read this book to see how we are now just waking up to this new Nemesis - something which Joseph predicted one hundred and sixty years ago - and what - if anything - we can do to stop this decline. Also check out Gore Vidal's "Imperial America" to see how this cycle is nothing new, and how this process of destruction has been gradually picking up speed ever since the Civil War (Now that's funny, because Joseph Smith also predicted that as well).

Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional)

Average customer rating:

Learn by example
Prompt and reliable service
Good agile book
The roles and responsibilities of SCRUM
Concise read on the value of Scrum -- and how to implement it

Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional)
Ken Schwaber
Manufacturer: Microsoft Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Agile Software Development with SCRUM
Agile Estimating and Planning (Robert C. Martin Series)
Agile and Iterative Development: A Manager's Guide
User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development (The Addison-Wesley Signature Series)
Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art (Best Practices (Microsoft))

ASIN: 073561993X

Book Description

Apply the principles of Scrum, one of the most popular agile programming methods, to software project management—and focus your team on delivering real business value. Author Ken Schwaber, a leader in the agile process movement and a co-creator of Scrum, brings his vast expertise to helping you guide the product and software development process more effectively and efficiently. Help eliminate the ambiguity into which so many software projects are borne, where vision and planning documents are essentially thrown over the wall to developers. This high-level reference describes how to use Scrum to manage complex technology projects in detail, combining expert insights with examples and case studies based on Scrum. Emphasizing practice over theory, this book explores every aspect of using Scrum, focusing on driving projects for maximum return on investment.

Customer Reviews:

Learn by example.......2007-06-25

This is a great book on Scrum. In a light, enjoyable series of anecdotes about real-world projects, it succeeds in communicating the deeper principles rather than just the surface-level practices.

Prompt and reliable service.......2007-06-07

I am completely satisfied with the shipment and quality of the book. I would absolutely go back to this seller, if he has what I need.

Good agile book.......2007-05-28

This book is one of good agile development book.
It provides the idea to implement agile process in our team.

The roles and responsibilities of SCRUM.......2007-04-01

When co-workers see this book on my office shelf, I inevitably get one of two reactions. The most common one is "Do you really want to take advice on project management from Microsoft?" The answer is probably not, but this book was written by the co-creator of SCRUM, and published by Microsoft press, so it's not exactly a recipe-book from Redmond.

The second reaction I get is "I was at a company/on a project/reported to a boss who used SCRUM and it worked really well." After reading several books on the subject and applying the lessons, I can see why. SCRUM has been the most useful project management method I've tried so far on my software development projects.

Since the goal of traditional project management is to standardize a known process to produce a required result, it has always had problems when applied to the creative process of producing software. This problem is only multiplied when the software to be produced is web based and consumer oriented, throwing a multitude of marketing and usability issues into the mix, making the desired end product as uncertain as the process. SCRUM is an ingenious solution to this problem; instead of trying fruitlessly to predict the future in the form of a project schedule, SCRUM emphasizes development as a continuous process that can be controlled using the same empirical feedback mechanisms of visibility, feedback, and adaptation that are already used to good effect in the manufacturing industry.

In this view, the team is a machine that constantly produces features as output. That output is inspected by end users, who then provide feedback, which is then incorporated into the next round of development. The book details the organizational roles and responsibilities needed to set up this machine and the processes to keep it running.

I found this book to be considerably more reader friendly than the original book by Schwaber detailing SCRUM. (Agile Software Development with SCRUM The emphasis on case studies rather than theoretical discussions certainly helps keep the discussion grounded, but more than that the text is more coherent and better written. Whether this is the effect of more experience or a better editor is hard to tell.

The three roles of SCRUM are the Product Owner, the Scrum Master, and the Team. The first two are single person managerial roles that are responsible for requirements definition and maintaining the process. The Team, however, consists of everyone who is assigned to do work exclusively for the project, and in Schwaber's conception it is to be completely self-managed. Now that I have gained some experience using SCRUM, I have to say that this is both the most challenging aspect of the process.

SCRUM depends on the Team effectively taking control of the product and committing themselves to delivering shippable features on a regular basis. To successfully introduce SCRUM engineers and other creative people have to be convinced that not only do they have the power to make decisions, but that it will be worth their time and effort to do so. Much of the process documented here- 30 day sprints, defined times for feedback, and so on- seem to exist to help insulate the team from those who would interfere with their control. But getting a team to the point where it is functioning at such a high level requires more than just giving an assignment. It requires either a fortuitious mix of personalities and culture, or time and nurturing. Know which one you are signing up for before you start.

There is a lot of other good advice in here as well, and I found it very helpful in taking the first steps towards a more agile approach to project management.

Concise read on the value of Scrum -- and how to implement it.......2007-01-30

I bought this after hearing Scott Hansleman talk about it on his scrum podcast at [...]. I figure Scott seems to have had great success with Scrum at his place of work ([...]so any book he recommended on the topic ought to be solid. Indeed it is!

The book's laid out in a series of stories which illustrate responsibilities and typical problems to overcome for the Scrum roles of Product Owner, ScrumMaster, and Team. The stories are short, concise, and followed up by Lessons Learned which cover salient highlights for the various points made in the section. Throughout the book runs Schwaber's theme of how one can use Scrum to solve any number of problems and increase the productivity of their development work.

What's really nice about the book is that there are stories of failures as well as successes. Software development is rarely all roses, so it's nice to see a couple examples where things didn't work -- and a solid analysis of what went wrong in those cases.

On the flipside, I'd have liked a bit more detail on constructing the sprint and product backlogs. I realize that traipses somewhat over into the realm of software estimation, but more fleshing out would have been helpful. However, there's a great example of scaling Scrum and rolling up numerous product backlogs from lower levels in to a larger backlog for a major system, so that's quite beneficial.

The book's terrifically well-written, is an easy read, and is formatted such that you're able to quickly pick up the important bits of Scrum. It's a terrific read for anyone looking to bring some sensible, tailorable processes to their software development efforts.

The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series)

Average customer rating:

As the title says: Pass on first try
Vedro PMP
Excellent Exam Prep for the PMP
Nice and easy to read useful book
Not bad, but you can't pass just by reading this book

The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series)
PMP, Andy Crowe
Manufacturer: Velociteach
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)
PMP In Depth: Project Management Professional Study Guide for PMP and CAPM Exams (In Depth)
Hot Topics Flashcards for Passing the PMP and CAPM Exam: Hot Topics Flashcards 5th Edtion (Hot Topics)
PM FASTrack: PMP Exam Simulation Software, Version 5

ASIN: 0972967311

Book Description

This self-study guide for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam from the Project Management Institute contains everything project managers need to pass the PMP Exam, including 44 processes, and 592 inputs, tools, and outputs. Exam topics are covered and insider secrets, complete explanations of all PMP subjects, test tricks and tips, hundreds of highly realistic sample questions, and exercises designed to strengthen understanding of PMP concepts and prepare managers for exam success on the first attempt are provided.

Customer Reviews:

As the title says: Pass on first try.......2007-06-15

I passed my PMP exam yesterday, for the first try! Yes, I think this book focuses on the key points you need to know for the exam. The questions in the exercises are about the same level of difficulty as the exam as well. So, I recommend this book to anyone who is pursuing PMP exam.

Vedro PMP.......2007-06-01

A very good book, I used this as my primary study guide for the PMP exam and it does just what the title says lets you pass on the first try. I thought the web site access was especially good I used it the last two weeks before the exam after I had already read and reviewed all the questions in the book. I would highly recommend this book if you are preparing for the PMP exam.

Excellent Exam Prep for the PMP.......2007-05-20

I just took my PMP exam today for the first time and passed!

I used this book as my primary resource. I was already familiar with much of the material in here from taking business classes in school and from on-the-job experience, but the material was presented in a manner to maximize your chances of passing this particular exam.

Although it is focused on helping you pass the exam, I think it makes a good reference book as well and gives a good understanding of the PMI approach to Project Management.

He provides plenty of advice in each chapter such as key concepts to know or memorize, the level of difficulty you can expect, and the importance of each chapter (separated by knowledge area) on the exam.

If you are good at learning through books without a teacher, this is the book to get for the PMP exam in my opinion.

Nice and easy to read useful book.......2007-05-07

I started reading PMBOK Gide and I was doing that for long time. When I purchased this book I realized that it is compiling same thing but with far easy way which I can remember. Can also be a good ref book in future.

Not bad, but you can't pass just by reading this book.......2007-04-23

I passed on my first try. However, I would say the reason I passed is because I have used Rita's PM Fastrack (I didn't use Rita prep guide tho). this book is good for an introduction.

Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

Average customer rating:

So good, a must have
Highly Recommended - Software is about people
everyone should read, not just the manager
A facinating insight into the workplace
Peopleware : Productive Projects and Teams, 2nd Ed.

Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams
Tom DeMarco , and Timothy Lister
Manufacturer: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, 20th Anniversary Edition
Code Complete, Second Edition
Rapid Development
Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art (Best Practices (Microsoft))
The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

ASIN: 0932633439

Amazon.com

Peopleware asserts that most software development projects fail because of failures within the team running them. This strikingly clear, direct book is written for software development-team leaders and managers, but it's filled with enough commonsense wisdom to appeal to anyone working in technology. Authors Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister include plenty of illustrative, often amusing anecdotes; their writing is light, conversational, and filled with equal portions of humor and wisdom, and there is a refreshing absence of "new age" terms and multistep programs. The advice is presented straightforwardly and ranges from simple issues of prioritization to complex ways of engendering harmony and productivity in your team. Peopleware is a short read that delivers more than many books on the subject twice its size.

Customer Reviews:

So good, a must have.......2007-04-17

I think this book opens your mind in how to manage people as a book about SOA opens it in how to architecture an application. It gives no answers, but you will see how you would like to work after reading it.

Very impressive.

Highly Recommended - Software is about people.......2007-04-11

A must-read for managers especially, but useful for developers as well, who may be wondering why they don't enjoy their job as much as they would like. Clearly spells out the oft-hidden costs of development and why some teams work well and are enjoyable to be part of and why some are demotivating.

This book is relevant not just for software development, but for any team environment where the work entails thinking for a living.

I found this book a breathe of fresh air amongst the talk of productivity enhancements, out-sourcing and the latest must-use technologies.

everyone should read, not just the manager.......2007-03-14

I would recommend anyone to read this book for project (task, mission) that is going to be carried out by a team or an organization. It is a humanistic (and not lazy) way of carrying out things. We all know that when the profession of management digress itself from keeping a close eye on human psychology, troubles are looming on the horizon.

Wonderful collection of thoughts and many gems. Hey.. does Amazon come with a six starts? :)

A facinating insight into the workplace.......2007-01-23

A very good book. You realize a lot of what has to change in your office after reading it. Most of the suggestions apply to office work in general, not just software development. Unfortunately most of the suggestions only apply to the ideal employees, who do actually take advantage of the improvements to increase productivity, which is not the case in most workplaces. Appart from that it is a must read for all who work in an office environment

Peopleware : Productive Projects and Teams, 2nd Ed........2007-01-12

Tom Demarco in this book shows us what a great insight he has in terms of what are some of the key factors that can help as well as hinder software development teams/projects. Having worked as a software developer for 10+ years I can really relate to what Demarco says (unfortunately this is not always a good thing!).

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects

Average customer rating:

Excellent Beginning Projects
Easy and a lot of room for creativity
EXCELLENT
Excellent beginners sewing projects book
HORRIBLE!!

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects
Lotta Jansdotter
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew
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Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style
Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe

ASIN: 0811852571

Book Description

Internationally celebrated designer Lotta Jansdotter collects 24 of her most popular sewing patterns into one irresistible collection. Our innovative packaging makes for easy use reusable pattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder inside this full-color, lay-flat spiral bound book. Lotta has included patterns for handy tote bags, smart aprons, chic bed linens, and much more. Each project is paired with step-by-step instructions, charming photographs, inspiring design ideas, and helpful, hand-drawn how-to illustrations everything you need to make whimsical pieces for the home and beyond. Best of all, there's nothing complicated about the projects. Never has simplicity looked so sophisticated.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Beginning Projects.......2007-06-28

Lotta's book is beautiful. Her simple tote bag is the first project I've ever attempted on the sewing machine and it was so easy to make from the detailed instructions. Soon to follow was the very easy apron. Both the photographs and line drawings give you an excellent idea of what you're making and so far, all of the directions have been very easy to follow. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to start sewing simple household things and to anyone who loves easy beautiful projects.

Easy and a lot of room for creativity.......2007-06-28

I have bought other sewing books but this is my absolute favorite projects book. She gives you tons of basic items to make and leaves a lot of room for your creativity to flow! I can't wait to make more of her projects!

EXCELLENT.......2007-06-10

This book is very cool. It came with actual patterns and gives lots of ideas for making projects. I am just starting to become a sewer and I had a very easy time making a back-pack. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It took me two evenings after dinner to complete the back-pack.

Excellent beginners sewing projects book.......2007-06-02

This book is well written and offers fun, interesting projects for the beginner and even the advanced sewer who just wants easy, fun projects. It offers ways to make even things like placemats more interesting and brings detail that adds so much. I am very pleased with this book.

HORRIBLE!!.......2007-06-01

I had this book on my wishlist and decided to flip through it at the local bookstore to see if it was worth ordering. Thank goodness I did! This book is a collection of some of the most hideous projects that I have ever seen. I was with my 15 year old daughter at the time and asked her if she liked anything in the book, the look on her face said it all. Back to the shelf the book went along with a feeling of relief that I didn't order Simple Sewing. If you still are not convinced, hold off on buying it. I'm sure you will be able to find it on eBay for a few dollars sometime in the near future.

Microsoft Office Project 2003 Step by Step

Average customer rating:

great book
Good to Start With
Very thourough but moves at a very slow pace
Good for a crash course in MS Project
novice

Microsoft Office Project 2003 Step by Step
Carl Chatfield , Timothy Johnson , PMP Carl Chatfield , and MCP Timothy Johnson
Manufacturer: Microsoft Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Microsoft Office Project 2003 Inside Out
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Project Management with Microsoft Project 2003
Project 2003 for Dummies
Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft))
Special Edition Using Microsoft Office Project 2003 (Special Edition Using)

ASIN: 0735619557

Book Description

Teach yourself how to use the latest version of Microsoft Projectone step at a time! Use easy, self-paced lessons to build exactly the skills you need to manage simple to complex projects.

Customer Reviews:

great book.......2007-06-13

the book came on time and had the CD. It was it great shape.

Good to Start With.......2007-06-09

Covers the basics very good.
However, not very comprehensive. OK as a first book in this field.

Very thourough but moves at a very slow pace.......2007-05-25

This book is well written and clear with lots of follow along activities. While I'm pretty new to Project, I still found the pace exhaustingly slow. It's a bit hard to skip ahead as you don't really know when the good stuff is going to come in. It's done this way to allow you to work either from start to end, or jump from topic to topic.
I can't fault them for this, but as I was trying to learn everything about the program, I found the pace so painfully slow that it was a bit discouraging.

I think this book is best for either a person who does not have a lot of computer experience and really wants their hand held at every step, or someone who just needs a reference to look up particular techniques. If you are fairly savvy and are trying to learn quickly, you may find this a bit of a drag.

4 Stars because it's good at what it does, but not 5 because for some it'll just be too dull.

Good for a crash course in MS Project.......2007-05-07

I needed to put MS Project on my resume, and used this book as a guide for self-study. It is very clear written, and have an index.

novice.......2007-02-27

This book is for the novice user of ms project. It does not go into more advanced funcitons for example customizing fields. In multiple sections it referenced the "help" file to better cover a topic. I was looking for a more advanced user guide. I was pleased with how it covered the information that it had in it, however was not happy with the fact it told you to search the help files. I don't need to pay for a book to tell me to look there for more informaiton.

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