The book Head First PMP from O'Reilly Media (692 pages, published in March 2007, authors: Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman, ISBN: 978-0596102340) is a refreshing addition to the Project Manager's bookshelf. The book gives a general overview of project management covering many aspects. Although marketed as a PMP exam manual, it includes many subjects, practical examples from PM life cycle and it is not a traditional “exam cram book”.
The book covers most of the important subjects of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide. It seems like this book is intended to be complementary book to the Guide – it serves as a enabler, helper, initiator and supporting manual. The first thing that strikes the reader (especially those not used to the Head... O'Reilly series) is the visual richness (charts, hand made drawings, comics, a lot of play with the text and illustrations). The design in general is very accessible, usable but unconventional. The unconventionality on the other hand makes this book look "unprofessional" but only to the point when you take the book to your hands and try to read it.
Book covers the following skill levels: Management of risk, quality, scope, procurement, communication, time, integration, cost and human resources. Some of the key subjects covered in the book include differentiation of company structure (functional, project based, matrix), definition of the Iron triangle (scope, cost, time and quality), integration management (project charter, scope definition, management, change control, closing), change management, scope creep and scope management, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Activity definition list and diagrams, advanced time planning and management, estimation formulas including estimated project value and cost estimating, quality control, HRM (RACI / organization diagrams, staffing, motivating). Risk management is covered in a separate chapter and includes introduction, definition, management and mitigation techniques.
The book easily covers many aspects concerning the PM lifecycle, according to PMBOK Guide terminology and methodologies. Although marketed as a certification guide, the book is valuable for all, since it strengthens many different aspects and skills needed for PM engagement.
The book is using an easy and humorous approach that makes the subjects more comprehensible. If used for certification purposes you may get the wrong impression that the book covers the whole material, while it simply serves as a initiation to PM knowledge certification cycle.
Grade: 4.5 / 5
Decision: Recommended reading