BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Project Management: Planning and Scheduling Techniques
Author: Vijay Kumar Bansal
Publisher: Routledge
List Price: $74.99
Format: Softcover, 268 pages
Publication Date: 2024
ISBN: 9781032549378
Reviewer: Emmanuel Wesley, PMP
Review Date: April 2024
Introduction
Project Management: Planning and Scheduling Techniques serves as an accessible primer on fundamental project planning and management skills. Targeting newcomers, the book covers vital methodologies such as the Critical Path Method, Precedence Diagramming Method, Line of Balance, and PERT. It combines theoretical explanations with practical learning elements, including exercises, diagrams, and examples, offering both students and project managers practical insights and clear guidance.
Overview of Book’s Structure
Each chapter in the book starts with learning objectives and ends with a chapter conclusion. There are illustrated examples provided for every planning and scheduling technique covered in the book. Although the book is quite technical in nature, it is very easy to read. Each chapter builds on the knowledge of the previous one, leaving the reader with a solid understanding of the techniques being discussed.
Highlights
In the first chapter of the book, the author gives a comprehensive overview of what project management is and the different steps involved in project management. He also provides an overview of all of the different planning and scheduling techniques that will be discussed later in the book. All of the preceding chapters are dedicated to an individual deep-dive on each of the following techniques: Work Breakdown Structures, Bar Charts, the Critical Path Method, the Program Evaluation and Review Technique, the Precedence Diagramming Method, and Line of Balance.
Highlights: What I liked!
The author does a really good job of breaking down technical concepts into easily digestible bite-sized pieces of information and then he builds them on top of each other in such a way that you’re confident that you actually understand how to use the planning and scheduling techniques discussed. One of the ways this is done is by using a ton of examples, tables and graphs. Another way is redundancy. The author repeats the basics frequently throughout the book and I believe this to be helpful to the newcomer as repetition helps to drill down the understanding and should help with retention.
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How to cite this review: Wesley, E. (2024). Project Management: Planning and Scheduling Techniques, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue VI, June. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pmwj142-Jun2024-Wesley-Project-Management-Planning-and-Scheduling-Techniques-Book-Review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Emmanuel Wesley
Durant, Oklahoma, USA
Emmanuel Wesley is a seasoned Project Management Professional, boasting over a dozen years in the transportation and logistics industry. With a proven track record, I’ve adeptly managed business portfolios worth up to $3 million. My expertise spans strategic planning and execution, and leading high-performing teams to success. I also specialize in regulatory compliance, business development, and seamless project implementation. Email address: Emmanuel_Wesley@outlook.com
Connect with Emmanuel at www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-wesley-pmp-b61524296
Editor’s note: This book review was the result of a partnership between the PM World Journal and the PMI Dallas Chapter. Authors and publishers provide books to the PM World Journal Editor; books are delivered to the PMI Dallas Chapter where they are offered free to PMI members who agree to provide a review within 45 days; book reviews are published in the PM World Journal and PM World Library. Reviewers can normally claim PDU’s for PMP recertification (or continuing education credits for other certifications) upon publication of their book reviews.
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