15 Best Books on Project Management

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Project Management, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Project Management Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Project Management below.

 
1."Project Management a System Approach to Planning Scheduling and Controlling" by Harold Kerzner
“Project Management a System Approach to Planning Scheduling and Controlling” Book Review: This book serves as a valuable resource for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals working on various projects. It covers project management software tools and Japanese management methods, supplemented by problems and exercises to reinforce key concepts. The book is richly illustrated with diagrams and provides numerous case studies from diverse industries. It also explores various techniques, highlighting thought-provoking aspects that may not be immediately obvious. Whether working on course projects or pursuing project management courses, readers will find this book an informative and practical guide to project management.

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2."Project Management" by Beningston Lawrence
“Project Management” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for both undergraduate and graduate students working on various course projects or pursuing project management courses. It is also useful for professional employees involved in project management. The book provides a comprehensive guide to planning and executing projects using the innovative Lean methodology and Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) techniques. Additionally, it presents practical methods for integrating CCPM and other Lean practices, which can be applied to projects of any size. Whether working on small or large projects, the CCPM methods outlined in the book are always effective.

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3."Project Management: The Managerial Process" by Erik Larson and Clifford Gray
“Project Management: The Managerial Process” Book Review: This book is intended for students in management, as well as those who are about to graduate. Faculty members can also use this book to assist their students, and professionals who manage projects can also refer to it. It examines both the methodology and the human element, and how they interact to influence the outcome of projects. Each chapter of the book includes an overview, key terms, exercises, review questions, and references. There are a total of 18 chapters, starting with an introduction to modern project management and proceeding to discussions on organization, strategy, and career paths for project management.

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4."A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)" by Project Management Institute
“A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)” Book Review: This book isdesigned for management students, graduates, and professionals engaged in project management. The book lays down the basic and fundamental principles of project management, which are globally recognized and applicable in real-life scenarios. The book consists of four planning processes: plan scope management, schedule management, cost management, and stakeholder management. Moreover, the book provides an elaborate description of the DIKW model, which is widely used in the present-day world. This comprehensive guide also includes exercises, references, and review questions, making it a valuable resource for both students and professionals.

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5."Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling" by Harold Kerzner
“Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling” Book Review: This book is intended for management students, graduates, and professionals managing projects. Faculty members can also use this book to guide students. The initial pages of the book cover 16 essential points to help develop project management maturity. The book comprises 22 chapters in total, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the planning and scheduling of systems. The book begins by introducing project management growth and organizational structures, followed by a discussion on variables for success and other special topics. The book concludes by exploring chain project management.

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6."Project Management: Essential Managers" by DK
“Project Management: Essential Managers” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for management students, graduates, faculty, and professionals working in project management. It provides practical and expert advice on scheduling and budgeting for building projects. Additionally, it covers important topics such as team motivation, risk assessment, and leadership development. This book outlines the process of planning, executing, and monitoring projects and offers solutions for troubleshooting when things don’t go as planned. It is a comprehensive guide to successful project management.

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7."Project Management" by Gupta R
“Project Management” Book Review: This book is aimed at both graduate and undergraduate students working on course projects or studying project management courses. It is also beneficial for professionals working on projects. The book covers the essential aspects of project management, including the project life cycle, project selection, feasibility study, and project control techniques such as PERT and CPM. It also includes descriptions of various methods, such as the Hiller model, sensitivity analysis, and simulations, which use hypothetical numerical examples to evaluate risk and aid understanding. The majority of the chapters contain images and numerical approaches for a better comprehension.

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8."Project Management: A Managerial Approach" by Jack R Meredith and Samuel J Mantel
“Project Management: A Managerial Approach” Book Review: This book is intended for both graduate and undergraduate students who are working on various course projects or pursuing project management courses, as well as for professionals managing projects. It takes a managerial approach to building projects with the right maturity levels. The book contains numerous examples throughout its chapters to aid in understanding. In addition, it provides online resources that can be helpful for individuals seeking PMBOK certification.

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9."Project Management" by K Nagarajan
“Project Management” Book Review: This book is suitable for graduate and undergraduate students who are working on course projects or pursuing project management courses, as well as professional employees working on projects. It covers a range of project management concepts, including project identification, planning, and scheduling. The book is frequently used as a textbook in classrooms, and it also provides explanations for project analysis and implementation. Several project scheduling techniques are covered, and real-life case studies are included to provide practical approaches to project management.

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10."Assorted Thoughts on Project Management" by Adesh Jain
“Assorted Thoughts on Project Management” Book Review: This book offers a thorough examination of Project Management, covering all its essential aspects. It delves into the blend of skills required for successful project management, including both the art and science of the field. The book explores how projects can be executed to fulfill strategic goals and development, converting knowledge into competencies, and the importance of selecting and executing the right projects. It puts significant emphasis on the amalgamation of Behavioral, Contextual and Technical skills, to achieve the best outcomes. The author has developed various concepts over the years that are presented in this book, serving as an invaluable resource for both professionals and students, aiding them to excel in their careers.

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11."Project Management for Engineering, Business, and Technology" by John M Nicholas and Herman Steyn
“Project Management for Engineering, Business, and Technology” Book Review: This book is designed for both technical and business students and covers a range of topics, from basics to more technical aspects. It includes important PMBOK terms and definitions and addresses communication and leadership issues, such as managing conflict and distributed teams. In addition, the book provides a test bank of questions and answers, PowerPoint slides, case studies, examples, and background information on managing projects in the business, engineering, and technology sectors.

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12."The Dynamic Progress Method: Using Advanced Simulation to Improve Project Planning and Management" by J Chris White and Robert M Sholtes
“The Dynamic Progress Method: Using Advanced Simulation to Improve Project Planning and Management” Book Review: This book offers a comprehensive review of existing research on project management while highlighting limitations with current methods. It introduces the Dynamic Progress Method (DPM), a cutting-edge simulation-based approach to project management. The book includes instructions on how to use pmBLOX, a DPM-based simulation tool, to plan, manage, and analyze projects. DPM is presented as a superior method for project planning, estimation, and management. Professionals working in project planning and management will find this book particularly valuable.

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13."Computer Support for Successful Project Management: Using MS Project 2013 with Construction Projects" by Ulhas Samant
“Computer Support for Successful Project Management: Using MS Project 2013 with Construction Projects” Book Review: This book is specifically designed for construction management professionals and civil engineering students who are interested in utilizing MS-Project software to manage their projects. Unlike other books on MS-Project, this book offers guided examples from the construction sector, making it more relevant to construction managers. It covers project management terminology, concepts, and processes based on the standards of the Project Management Institute, including advanced topics such as earned value analysis and multiple project management. Additionally, readers will learn how to use MS-Project for processes related to risk and quality, in addition to meeting project objectives such as scope, time, and cost. By reading this book, construction professionals can transition into becoming successful construction project managers.

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14."Construction and Project Management for Engineers, Architects, Planners and Builders" by K G Krishnamurthy
“Construction and Project Management for Engineers, Architects, Planners and Builders” Book Review: This book is designed for construction engineers, architects, and builders and provides an in-depth understanding of construction management objectives and concerns. It covers essential topics such as management network techniques, contractor selection, tenders, and contract conditions. The book also delves into the machinery required for building works and emphasizes the importance of quality control, safety management, and cost-effectiveness in construction management.

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15."Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional)" by Ken Schwaber
“Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional)” Book Review: This book offers a comprehensive guide to Scrum methodology, outlining its rules and practices in a reader-friendly and easily understandable manner. It provides effective solutions to manage complex and dynamic projects with evolving product requirements. The book emphasizes on simplifying the chain of command by promoting self-managing development teams, resulting in reduced planning time and the need for complex tools. It also highlights the significance of regular inspection, reporting, and fine-tuning of projects, thus helping readers avoid missteps and achieve success in their projects.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Project Management and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Project Management and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Project Management books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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