Project Management Resources

I’m often asked about PRACTICAL and USEFUL project management resources.  A quick search on any project management topic will reveal millions of pages to review.  Fortunately, I found a few useful tools, books, blogs and other resources to help in your project delivery.

P.S.  If you have a recommended resource for the page, email me and I’ll review it!)

PMP Exam Preparation Training and Exam Simulators

If you pursuing PMP exam preparation, consider these useful resources to successfully prepare and pass your PMP Exam.

pmp exam preparation
PM Exam Simulator

The leading course in PMP Exam preparation and simulation!  Cornelius Fichtner has produced excellent PMP Prepartion materials.  Highly recommended.

pmp exam simulator
PM Master Prep’s PMP Exam Simulator

Scott Payne’s real world PMP Exam Simulator based on relatable case studies makes PMP preparation easy!

pmp training
Live PMP Training

Upgrade your laptop camera and look great on your next Zoom call!

Project Management Books

I’ve read each of these books and they continue to provide great guidance and advice in the Project Management!

dynamic scheduling with microsoft project

I first me Neal Whitten at a PMI project management training course.  His practical and real-world advice was excellent and his years of experience are applicable to a lot of project and program experiences.  I highly recommend adding it to your reading list!

project management book neal whitten

I first me Neal Whitten at a PMI project management training course.  His practical and real-world advice was excellent and his years of experience are applicable to a lot of project and program experiences.  I highly recommend adding it to your reading list!

project management book neal whitten

The quest for 1 page continues as project mangers look for a simple way to communicate project status without a ton of project management overhead.  The One Page project manager provides a template and an effective approach to communicating and managing a project with a single page.  There are definitely aspects of this status report format that you can apply to your own projects!

Scaling Software Agility

If you want to learn how to scale Agile practices across your organization, start with Dean Leffingwell’s book. I found it foundational in understanding and applying agile at scale.

I’ve used this book to help develop Agile methodology for multiple IT organizations.

User Stories Applied
User stories are simple to understand but there are complexities in implementing them easily. This book provides a great overview on how to effectively manage user stories.
Bridge to Agility
If you are working in a waterfall organization and looking to adopt Agile, then this book is for you. It will help you or your PMO translate traditional waterfall techniques to Agile delivery.
Succeeding with Agile
I found this book very helpful with real world case studies and examples on how to success with Agile techniques.
User Stories Applied
If traditional project management uses a work break down structure, then user story mapping is the equivalent in an Agile development team. Visual thinking and release planning combined in one document!
fire your boss

Project managers can always benefit from career advice and Stephan Pollan’s book Fire Your Boss provides a mind set on career management in this ever changing world of job opportunities, challenges and new avenues.

life scripts by stephan pollan

How do you ask your manager for a promotion?  How do you ask your supervisor to help you with your workload without looking like you are shirking responsibilities?

Lifescripts provides a step by step set of flow charts to help you with challenging conversations with you manager, your direct reports and office politics.  The book provides an excellent framework for handling those challenging conversations.

Project Management Office Books

Recommended books for project management office managers and PMO directors looking to start or improve their existing project management office.

project management office book

I’ve followed Mark Price Perry’s PMO articles on projectmanagement.com for many years.  He provides realistic advice and practical viewpoints on running an effective project management office.

the project management office craig letavec

I’ve followed Mark Price Perry’s PMO articles on projectmanagement.com for many years.  He provides realistic advice and practical viewpoints on running an effective project management office.

The project office by thomas block

The project office was written in 1997 however it serves as a useful primer for anyone looking to learn about the purpose and structure of the project office.  It is a quick read and provides a solid foundation.

Project Management Software

There are hundreds of software management packages available.  Below are a few of my recommended project management software packages that simply makes project management delivery easier.

asana project management software

Asana is a flexible project management tool that helps teams collaborate and get work down without a ton of project management overhead.  If you to manage work with a simple checklist, Kanban board or a simple timeline, then give Asana a try.

If you want a 10% discount, enter the coupon code andrewmakar6004

Atlassian JIRA Software

Atlassian JIRA a powerful project management software tool that enables Agile teams to deliver with Scrum, Kanban and task management.  I’ve used JIRA for years on enterprise Agile software implementations.  JIRA is highly configurable to any software project management process.

Trello Project Management Software

Trello  is an amazing productivity tool that organizes work into boards, lists and cards.  Trello provides a freemium model where you can use the free version to successfully manager your own business or personal Kanban boards.  When you upgrade to Trello Business Class, you get access to Power Ups – additional features that help your deliver your projects easier in Kanban model.

Milanote project management software

Milanote is an awesome visual tool for organizaing creative projects.  If you are creating a vision board, creating personas, brainstorming requirements and building a simple story map, try Milanotes project management features.

Mind Mapping Software

Over the years, I’ve written frequently about applying mind mapping techniques to project management. Below are 3 packages you must try.

 

Mindjet Mind Manager

Mindjet MindManager is a leader in mind mapping and visualization techniques.  The software is easy to use to organize your projects and define scope, develop a WBS and project planning.

mind genius mind mapping software

MindGenius is another powerful mind mapping tool that helps you categorize and organize your work easily.  I wrote about MindGenius previously in my Mind Mapping section.   

biggerplate mind maps

Once you have your selected mind mapping tool, head on over to the team at http://www.biggerplate.com.  They have an entire section of project management mind maps!

Project Management Blogs and Podcasts

 Trusted voices in written and audio form!

project management blogs

Best Office Supplies

Below are some of the best office supplies and desk toys for project managers.

best pens
Pilot Precision V5 Pens
I know..how exciting can a pen be? These Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine are my go-to writing pen. Ask you office supply manager to order them in bulk!
desktop glass white board
Desktop Whiteboard
Everyone that stops by my office, asks “Where did you get the desktop whiteboard?” It makes it very easy to make quick notes without sticky notes!
desktop dry erase board
Stainless Steel Whiteboard

This is another slick stainless steel board that I have next to my desk.  It saves on sticky notes and notepaper!

fine tip dry erase markers
Fine Tip Dry Erase Marker

Big fan of the fine tip dry erase markers

desktop glass white board
Sony Bluetooth Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an aweseome way to focus on the work and eliminate the noise.

HD web camera
Desktop Whiteboard

Upgrade your laptop camera and look great on your next Zoom call!