Breaking the Code of Project Management

by Alexander Laufer

Book Overview

This new classic is an examination of how to refigure project management to be more efficient and effective, particularly in terms of leadership. Using a case study approach, the author, Alex Laufer presents a specific set of guidelines on how to improve the team approach to any project, be it a new airline jet or an IT project.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0230608035
• ISBN13: 9780230608030
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 267 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A must read

From this comprehensive study of 150 successful project managers, I gained an understanding of how projects must be led and managed. This well researched book shows the reader what it takes to achieve success in our project culture. It is a comprehensive and practical how-to manual for practitioners already working in the field as well as for aspiring project managers. Its simple and attractive format gives it broad appeal to all members of the project team. Even if you're just starting out, this book is a must read and will put you on the right track.

Breaking the Code of Project Management is very educational

Breaking the Code of Project Management is well written and entertaining to read. Rather than overwhelming us with too much material, Laufer serves it up in bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. What I really found helpful in this book was the balance between the practical, results-based orientation of the Brown principle and the focus of the Red Principle on the softer aspects of people and teams, such as the crucial need for trust in developing teamwork. Using the experiences and stories of those in the field, we get a glimpse into the more human side of project management rather than the canned, prepackaged approach of so many other books. I found a few practices to be very helpful for my own work, in particular, "managing attention" and "maintaining momentum." I also believe that the stress on trust-based teamwork is crucial for our current uncertain environment. Moreover, I find the detailed guidelines for developing trustful teams to be implementable. The book is packed with innovative ideas that are going to help me think through my problems with sharper insight. I strongly recommend this book to both novice and experienced project managers.

Breaking the code of project management

As more and more work is becoming project-oriented, we need a book like this with its focus on results and the need for leadership. Unlike most available project management books that are based on traditional assumptions and rely on the same old tools and techniques, this one is based on empirical case studies that inspire and energize the reader. Breaking the Code of Project Management represents a unique approach to a complex subject and demonstrates how other practitioners have reached new heights in their performance through the use of Results-Focused Leadership. The five actionable principles are illustrated with a great variety of examples, representing many different industries. This book is an excellent resource. It should be required reading for any project manager or member of a project team.

BREAKING THE CODE OF PROJECT MANAGMENT

By presenting the five actionable principles of Results-Focused Leadership in a convincing and user-friendly format, Breaking the Code of Project Management helps us reframe our way of thinking. As our fast-paced and ever-changing environment is rendering the classic paradigms of effective project management obsolete, we will be better equipped to deal with the crises of the present by unlearning the outdated assumptions of the past and replacing them with the timeless principles outlined in this unique book. I suspect that many of us must undergo this unlearning. This timely book will not only provide the new direction, but will also help in going through the always difficult process of changing one's mindset. As I read, and re-read some of the stories, I found that their vivid information facilitates the required unlearning and forgetting I must undergo.

5 star book

As a practicing physician for 30 years, I have had to devote more time away from patient care to various committees and task forces that interact with hospitals, insurance companies and even our own internal group administrative team. I am part of a large specialty group practice and have dealt with managers and management consultants of one type or another and find a lot of the meetings to be a complete waste of time. Rather than continuing on this path, I realized that in order to become more productive with my own time, I should become more familiar with the discipline of project management. I have to admit that at the beginning of reading Professor Laufer's book I was skeptical that I would get much out of it. I thought that a book that tries to share the wisdom of 150 very competent and experienced project managers would be more than I could absorb. I thought that since "projects" occupy only a relatively small percentage of my time, I would find it too complicated, tedious or too technical. Well, it did not take me long to find out I was wrong. The book was very relevant for me. The real life stories told by real life project managers make this book read like a good 'whodunit', allowing us to unravel the secret of their successes. By "breaking the code" we are given the tools to move beyond the traditional operating procedures of project managers enabling us to take an inside look into the strategies they use to deal with the conflicting demands of today's workplace; even if it isn't a typical business environment. "Breaking the Code" could not have come along at a better time in the medical field as our economic and professional viability will demand even the most highly respected medical organizations become agile in redefining processes to become even more efficient in delivering high quality medical care. Dr. S Arnow Ophthalmologist Cincinnati Eye Institute