Project management is a broad field. Getting a book or two on project management and its myriad niches can be a great way to immerse yourself in the tools and processes of the industry.
We read hundreds of book reviews and consulted various discussion websites to find useful, popular and recommended project management books. here are 10 project management books for beginners.
You are reading: Books on project management for beginners
read more: what is a project manager? a career guide
1. for an overview of project management
The absolute beginner’s guide to project managementby greg horine
Readers appreciate this guide for being comprehensive, easy to understand and organized. Although the book is suitable for beginners, its content can also benefit intermediate-level project managers. If you’re looking to earn a project management certification, there are other resources to help you understand the more specific knowledge you’ll need.
Who it’s for: Project management beginners looking for a solid, comprehensive introduction
read more: how to become a project manager: 5 steps
2. the “nice-to-have-around”
a guide to the project management body of knowledge (pmbok guide)
If you’re a project manager, or aspiring to become one, it’s a good idea to keep the pmbok guide on your radar. It is published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which administers the globally popular Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification and is considered by many to be the leading project management organization in the industry.
In addition to being an essential study aid for the pmp exams, the pmbok guide is considered the go-to resource for project management professionals. includes explanations of the main development approaches and how to adapt them to your needs, models, artifacts, and more. the most recent edition, published in August 2021, covers the most recent changes in the industry due to technological, economic and market factors.
Who is it for: Anyone who is serious about project management
read more: how to get a pmp certification: overview
3. to learn agile
agile project management for dummies by mark c. Layton, Steven J. Ostermiller and Dean J. kynaston
If you’re new to agile, you can quickly get lost in the thicket of jargon and mysterious acronyms. this book is praised by readers as a basic yet comprehensive guide that can be easily learned and understood by agile newbies. the most recent edition was published in September 2020.
if you already master agile concepts, you can continue reading other titles like the age of agility: how smart companies are transforming the way work gets doneby stephen denning, or doing agility right: transformation without chaos by darrell rigby, sarah elk, and steve berez.
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Who it’s for: Agile project management beginners
4. to learn scrum
scrum: the art of doing twice the work in half the time by jeff sutherland
Written by one of the co-founders of scrum and his son, scrum: the art of doing twice the work in half the time sets the framework for the project management method that is scrum. Readers applaud the book for its easy readability, as well as the practical advice and stories it contains.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to manage a scrum team, work on a scrum team, or implement scrum practices in the workplace
5. to prepare for the pmp
the pmp exam: how to pass on your first try
one of the most popular pmp exam prep books, this book is praised by many reviewers as comprehensive for the exam topics and more accessible than pmbok by itself. The book covers predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches, plus many other processes and tools you’ll need to become familiar with for the exam. It also includes 475 practice questions, chapter tests, a mock final exam, and a free trial of the publisher’s online learning platform. The latest edition is up to date with the changes made to the pmp exam in January 2021.
who is it for: those studying for the pmp exam
6. to learn the human element of project management
project management for humans: helping people get things done by brett harned
Project management is more than tools and processes, although all of that is also important. This book covers the basics of project management, with a focus on developing the interpersonal skills and empathy needed to run a project smoothly. Readers enjoy that the book is easy to read, contains good examples and practical advice, and can be referred to again and again as one progresses in their career.
Who it’s for: Beginning or mid-career project managers who want to learn more about the human aspect of project management success
Learn more about basic project management skills in this Google Project Management Professional Certificate video:
read more: 11 key project management skills
7. for something fun
the deadline: a project management novel by tom demarco
the deadline provides information for beginners in the form of entertainment. since the novel was written in 1997, reviewers note that much of the information focuses on the waterfall project
management styles. Still, recent readers find practical advice on project management concepts such as resource allocation, scheduling, and team management beneficial, especially for beginners.
Who it’s for: Those looking for a new way to absorb information beyond traditional non-fiction guides
8. for those who are not project managers
project management for the unofficial project manager by kory kogon
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If it doesn’t have “project manager” in its title, but you’ve been tasked with leading a project to success, this book may be of use to you. Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager is a basic introduction to project management designed specifically for those who are not formal project managers.
who is it for: people who are not officially project managers but are managing projects
9. for IT project management
the phoenix project by gene kim, keven behr and george spafford
This project management book disguised as a novel has been a favorite of many project managers for many years. The novel follows Bill, a limitless parts IT manager working for a ruthless CEO and newly tasked with leading a critical project that is already in jeopardy. readers follow along as bill learns project management basics from you like devops.
Who it’s for: IT project managers (and those who aspire to be)
10. for construction project management
construction management start-up by barbara j. jackson
Project managers in construction must have specialized knowledge, including industry standards and regulation. This book covers the roles you’ll play at each stage of a construction project, how to keep projects on schedule and on budget, and how new software is shaping the world of construction. the most recent edition includes three chapters on preconstruction, team management, and sustainability.
Who it’s for: Those new to construction project management or who want to deepen their understanding of the field
getting started in project management
Whether you’re training to become a construction manager, a certified pmp, or completely new to project management, learning the basics of project management is a great first step. Books can be tremendously helpful in deepening your knowledge as you embark on your career as a project manager.
If you don’t like books, there are other ways to get the knowledge you need, like taking online or in-person courses. You’re not sure where to start? Explore Google Project Management: Certified Professional.
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