Best of Breed Books

Project Management

AntiPatterns in Project Management; William J. Brown, et al 

Wisdom, tips, and solutions for managing people, processes, and technology, while improving effectiveness, efficiency, and quality.

Breakthrough Technology Project Management; Kathryn Rea, Bennet Lientz

Addresses effective strategies for managing multiple projects, 3rd party vendors, and consultants for a range of implementations.

Co-Active Coaching: New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success; Laura Whitworth, et al

Insightful mentoring handbook covering coaching skills, process, and techniques. Plus action plans, checklists, and forms. Worth the bucks!

How to Build Work Breakdown Structure (WBS); Carl L. Pritchard

Helpful tool for both the novice and seasoned project manager practicing today.

Information Systems Project Management; Jolyon E. Hallows

Pragmatic and detail desk reference on delivering function and value for competitive advantage.

Managers As Mentors, 2nd Edition; Chip R. Bell  

Classic, poignant, and practical how to's for building learning partnership and growing staff.

Object Technology: A Manager's Guide; David A. Taylor   

Very highly recommended...get a handle on object-oriented technology.

Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams; Tom Demarco, Timothy Lester

Strikingly clear and direct, an Anti-Dilbert Manifesto. An indispensable PM reference!

Practical Software Metrics for Project Management and Process Improvement; Robert Grady

Learn to apply proven software metrics to boost development productivity and quality. A quick read and valuable resource!

Strategic Planning for Information Systems; John Ward, Pat M. Griffiths    

Tools, techniques, and management blueprint to improve competitive advantage.

The Project Office; J. Davidson Frame     

A starting point for implementing PMOs at the enterprise level. Good value and information.

Software Development

A Methodology for Client/Server and Web Application Development; Roger Fournier

Practical and systematic approach for developing complex systems you can incorporate in your next project. A welcome addition to your library.

Business Rules Applied: Building Better Systems; Barbara Von Halle

Excellent book for organizations committed to top-down enterprise-wide IT approaches.

Enterprise Architecture Planning: Developing a Blueprint for Data, Applications, and Technology; Steven Spewak, Steven C. Hill           

Improve business/IT alignment! EAP is a high-level blueprint plus examples of architectures, procedures, checklists, and useful guidelines...a management framework.

Object-Oriented Software Engineering: A Case Driven Approach; Ivar Jacobson      

The classic primer on object technology and methodology to date. 5 Stars!

Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules; Steve McConnell   

Steve McConnell's comprehensive desktop reference on software development "best" practices. Clear-headed tips and insights.

The Capabilty Maturity Model: Guidelines for Improving the Software Process; Mark C. Paulk, Charles V. Weber, Bill Curtis  

SEI's essential CMM tool covers maturity levels, plus key results and process areas. Doing the right things right!

Technology Consulting

Getting Started in Computer Consulting; Peter Meyer       

Solution-focused book covering all the basics, plus client and consultant goal alignment.

Selling The Invisible; Harry Backwith

Very informative read for professionals in IT service sector. Highly recommended!

The Computer Consultant's Guide : Real-Life Strategies for Building a Successful Consulting Career; Janet Ruhl       

Written by an expert, you will learn how to make the jump to a profitable, sustainable, and fulfilling consulting career.

The Information System Consultant's Handbook: System Analysis & Design; William S. Davis, David C. Yen           

Handy, straightforward, and comprehensive reference tool you can use on one consulting engagement after another. Also, a great refresher!

The IT Consultant : A Commonsense Framework for Managing the Client Relationship; Rick Freedman

It's the solution, stupid! This book is about improving client relationships plus "how to's" on effective communication.

Other PM Books

"Successful Project Management" by Rosenau, Milton

"Information Technology Project Management" by Schwalbe, Kathy

"Breakthrough Technology Project Management" by Lientz, Bennet and Rea, Kathryn

"Managing Software Development Projects" by Whitten, Neal

"Project Management", Sixth Edition by Kerzner, Harold

"Project Management", Fourth Edition by Meredith, Jack and Mantel, Samuel

"The Project Manager's Desk Reference" by Lewis, James P

"Information Systems Project Management : How to Deliver Function and Value in Information Technology Projects" by Jolyon E. Hallows

"Third Wave Project Management : A Handbook for Managing the Complex Information Systems for the 1990s (Yourdon Press Computing Series)" by Rob Thomsett

"Software Projects: Evolutionary vs. Big-Bang Delivery" by Felix Redmill

"Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules" by Steve McConnell

"Building A Foundation for Tomorrow: Skills Standards for Information Technology" by Northwest Center for Emerging Technologies, Bellevue, WA, 1997