In our series of articles dedicated to project control books, we will explore titles based on historical popularity and general acclaim within the project management community.
Our first article focuses on providing an overview of the 10 most popular Project Controls books following the readers’ feedback available on Amazon.com:
Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling
Harold Kerzner’s “Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling” is a comprehensive and authoritative resource that provides a deep dive into the intricacies of project management. The book’s systematic approach, combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications, equips project managers with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage projects effectively. Its broad coverage of essential topics, from planning and scheduling to execution and control, makes it an invaluable guide for anyone looking to excel in the field of project management.
The 11th edition of the book is also quite popular among project control professionals, while the 13th Edition published in 2022 includes refreshed content on project health checks, the continued growth of strategic project management, new business models, lean project management, artificial intelligence, and the use of new metrics and KPIs.
Project Quality Management, Second Edition: Why, What and How
Kenneth Rose’s Project Quality Management, Second Edition: Why, What and How, focuses on the critical aspects of quality management within the context of project management.
This book is a comprehensive guide that aims to help project practitioners understand the why, what, and how behind quality management, and how these concepts and methods can be applied when managing projects.
Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control, Sixth Edition: The Ultimate Hands-On Guide to Bringing Projects in On Time and On Budget
This book by James Lewis provides a detailed and practical guide aimed at helping project managers ensure their projects are completed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. The book covers the essential aspects of project management, providing actionable insights and tools for effective planning, scheduling, and control. By covering these critical aspects of planning, scheduling, and control, Lewis equips readers with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of project management and achieve successful project outcomes.
The book has been refined and updated with the latest information and development from the project management world with each new edition, and since the publication of its first edition, it has helped many aspiring project managers and seasoned project professionals.
Earned Value Management – 60 Minutes Compact Knowledge: The Best Methods and Tools to Keep Your Project Under Control
“Earned Value Management – 60 Minutes Compact Knowledge” is an effective and efficient guide for project managers who want to quickly grasp the essentials of EVM and leverage its power to manage projects.
This book by Roland Wanner aims to give readers understanding of EVM, a powerful project management technique for monitoring and controlling projects, in a short amount of time, making it accessible for busy professionals seeking to enhance their project management skills quickly.
Earned Value Project Management (Fourth Edition)
“Earned Value Project Management (Fourth Edition)” by Quentin W. Fleming and Joel M. Koppelman is another detailed and authoritative resource on EVM. The book serves as a valuable resource for project managers, providing in-depth knowledge and practical insights to effectively implement and utilize EVM for controlling project performance. It combines theoretical foundations with practical applications and real-world case studies, allowing project managers to get the knowledge needed to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Construction Project Scheduling and Control
Construction Project Scheduling and Control by Saleh A. Mubarak is an authoritative guide that provides comprehensive coverage of the principles and practices necessary for effective scheduling and control in construction projects. The book aims to equip construction professionals with the skills and knowledge required to plan, monitor, and manage project schedules efficiently. It combines theoretical insights with practical guidance and covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental scheduling principles to advanced techniques and real-world applications. The updated, Fourth Edition, focuses on the methods used to devise the project schedule and reflects the latest updates from the field.
Planning, Scheduling, and Control of Construction Projects
“Planning, Scheduling, and Control of Construction Projects“ by Tom Stephenson aims to help construction professionals and project managers understand the project management principles and workflows applied to construction projects.
The book dives deeper into various essential topics related to creating the project schedule such as developing the WBS and critical path, as well as explored how to effectively navigate through the project lifecycle.
Case studies and questionnaires are also included to provide additional learning opportunities.
Comprehensive Guide to Project Management Schedule and Cost Control, A: Methods and Models for Managing the Project Lifecycle (FT Press Project Management)
Authored by Randal Wilson, this book offers a thorough exploration of various methods, models, and tools essential for achieving project success. Wilson provides insights into creating realistic project schedules, accurately estimating costs, and implementing control mechanisms to monitor and adjust schedules and budgets as needed. The book covers critical topics such as planning, schedule analysis, cost analysis, budgeting, and various project monitoring and control methods.
Through practical examples and case studies, Wilson illustrates how to apply these concepts in real-world project scenarios using graphs, charts and worked examples. Whether you are a seasoned project manager or a novice, this book serves as a valuable resource for enhancing your understanding of project management fundamentals and honing your skills in schedule and cost control.
Planning and Control Using Microsoft Project 365 and 2021: Including 2019, 2016 and 2013
Paul E Harris has authored this step-by-step guide for creating project plans using the different versions of the Project software to help readers more efficiently and effectively leverage the power of this software solution. The book explores the practical application of advanced techniques through the distinctive features and functionalities of the software. Case studies and examples to illustrate how to utilize Microsoft Project in real-world project scenarios are also included.
The book represents a great resource, written by experienced practitioners aiming to provide further assistance in addition to other manuals and help resources related to the set-up and practical application of the Microsoft Project software.
In addition to this book, Paul E Harris has also authored a book on the practical application of another software tool for project planning and scheduling, the Primavera P6 software.
Planning and Control Using Oracle Primavera P6 Versions 18 to 23 PPM Professional Paperback
Last but not least, we dedicate the last place on this list to Paul E Harris’s book on Planning and Control using Oracle Primavera P6, as project controllers need to be familiar with leading tools such as Primavera P6, as well as communication tools such ScheduleReader.
ScheduleReader is a useful tool that can help project controllers track project progress and analyze cost and schedule performance.
Paul E Harris has produced numerous guides, resources and books following the different version releases of the Primavera P6 software. The latest update focuses on providing a comprehensive guide to the latest version of the Primavera P6 software.
The book is packed with screenshots, constructive tips and contains workshops with solutions at the end of each chapter for the reader to practice the skills taught. It has been written so it may be used with either the Professional Project Management Client version or the Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Optional Client.
In addition, on the following link you can find more books and resources that can help you learn Primavera P6.
Summary
We hope that these books will help you deepen your knowledge in the spectrum of project controls.
Stay tuned for the next article dedicated to project control books on the ScheduleReader website.
