BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: The Practitioner’s Guide to Program Management, 2ND Ed.
Author: Irene Didinsky
Publisher: J. Ross Publishing
List Price: 59.95
Format: Paperback with some Value Added Downloads on the J. Ross resource center
Publication Date: 2025
ISBN: 978-1-60427-207-9
Reviewer: M. Saunders
Reviewed: Feb/March 2026
Introduction
Reading this book has been very beneficial as I can relate to how businesses need to understand the role of the program manager and the value they bring to oversee groups of projects. Understanding there are different types of Program Managers and how they work within the overarching business framework is an essential need for all business leaders who work with or have Program Managers involved in projects.
The book highlights what is needed to be a successful program manager and how the business empowers them. Real life should include many of the practices we read about in this book as they are spot on regarding how program management “fits” into the company, projects and teams. Their oversight is necessary for groups of projects that need to be handled at a level to coordinate resources, manage financials and have someone available who can easily provide the leadership teams the information they need to understand progress/risks/etc.
Overview of Book’s Structure
The book is divided into easy to read sections where someone can get a good definition of Program Management, understand criteria for success, go through strategy alignment (program and business), read about business value of having program managers, governance, stakeholders, life cycles, effective execution of programs, community of practice and what the future holds for program management.
I was pulled into this book from the aspect of carrying the title of program manager for many years within a services organization. Though I have completed many varieties of programs (internal and external facing) I found the book good to use as a standard regarding what tools and capabilities a program manager should have and be able to use. What I realized is based on company leadership and program needs, the person who is involved as a program manager may or may not be asked to exhibit the skills stated in the book. All skills discussed are relevant and good to have.
I found the information on how Agile and Hybrid Methodologies work well with many programs refreshing as many teams are trying to use the flexibility of Agile for managing complex programs that change based on a customer’s needs. Blending Waterfall (for the singular projects) with Agile where adaptation can take place on a higher level really makes sense. I know AI is also considered a tool that will be helpful for future and leveraging AI for risk assessment/management activities and automation of routine activities truly make sense.
More…
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How to cite this work: Saunders, M. (2025). The Practitioner’s Guide to Program Management, 2ND Ed., book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue IV, April. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pmwj163-Apr2026-Saunders-Practitioners-Guide-to-Program-Management-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Mary Saunders
Texas, USA
Mary Saunders is retired now and enjoys volunteering at different events where she enjoys learning and practicing her PM/Pgm Mgmt capabilities to benefit others.
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 upon publication of their book reviews.
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