eXtreme Project Management.

eXtreme Project Management, by Doug DeCarlo, Book, 2004, Jossey-Bass Inc., $47.

I wish I had this book before I started managing extreme projects. It would have prevented a lot of stress and heartaches. eXtreme Project Management: Using Leadership, Principles, and Tools to Deliver Value

If you manage projects like this (daily changes and deadlines half the normal time), go buy this book.

The book has many definitions such as:

  Extreme project management is the art and science of facilitating and
  managing the flow of thoughts, emotions, and interactions in a way
  that produces valued outcomes under turbulent and complex conditions:
  those that feature high speed, high change, high uncertainty, and high
  stress.

Doug DeCarlo explains the differences between traditional project management and extreme project management.

He offers useful reminders for certain aspects of the project manager's role such as a meeting planning checklist, including the agenda draft, invited participants, and logistics. There is also a good tool for using Excel to track crucial stakeholders and key players.

Go around brick walls

DeCarlo has very good on change. Here's an example: some people will resist change no matter how much it is needed. Even more, they resist being changed. Acknowledge the resistance rather than ignore or even resist their resistance. Recognize that some people will never get on board no matter what you do.

The questions for the first sponsor meeting are outstanding, as they provide an outline for understanding the business objective, scope, context, and resources.

The book provides numerous other resources for managing all aspects of extreme projects. If you are looking for a book on reality-based project management, purchase this one.

Recommendation

eXtreme Project Management has a good model for and overview of managing complex and unpredictable projects. It is an excellent addition to the bookshelves of new project managers and good reinforcement for those already practicing extreme project management.

I recommend this book to anyone involved in managing projects.

Review by Valerie Smith

Product Ratings

eXtreme Project Management

Holds user interest  ***
Value of Content     ****
Self-Study Value     ****
Instructional Value  *** 1/2
Value for the money  *** 1/2
Overall rating       *** 1/2