Book Review
Book Title: Understanding Project Practices and Processes
Author: Mel Bost
Publisher: Auerbach/CRC Press (Routledge)
List Price: Hardcover: $125.00, Softcover: $45.99
Format: Hardcover, 232 pages
Publication Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781032974224
Reviewer: Surya Yeshwanth Mandapaka
Review Date: May 2025
Introduction
Project management practices and processes – the very phrase might conjure up images of rigid checklists, stage-gate approvals, and perhaps even the age-old tug-of-war between agile enthusiasts and waterfall traditionalists. But let’s be real: today’s project landscape has evolved dramatically. In practice, we’re navigating a far more complex ecosystem shaped by rapid technological shifts, multifaceted stakeholder expectations, and relentless pressure to deliver strategic value. The days when a one-size-fits-all methodology could guarantee success are fading. In their place, we see the need for continuous evolution of our project practices, an integration of theory with hard-won experience, and a systems thinking approach that considers how people, processes, and technology interrelate in real organizational dynamics. In this environment, project professionals need more than templates and textbooks; they need genuine insight and adaptability.
That’s precisely where Understanding Project Practices and Processes by Mel Bost finds its significance. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill project management guide. Bost – an experienced project management consultant – distills decades of experience and research into a volume that breathes life into the subject of project processes. Think of it as sitting down with a seasoned mentor who has seen projects succeed and fail across industries and is candid about what truly works. Bost bridges the gap between theoretical best practices and the messy reality of execution, offering a guide that keeps you grounded in fundamentals while also preparing you to navigate the unexpected. It’s a resource designed to keep you not just current, but ahead of the curve – a book that speaks to the 21st-century project professional faced with complexity, change, and the demand for ever greater agility and accountability.
Overview of Book’s Structure
The book’s structure itself is a strength: eleven chapters, each a deep dive into a critical facet of project management practice and improvement. Bost organizes the content in a logical flow – from laying the groundwork with the formation of a Project Management Office (PMO) to drilling into specific processes like risk management, communication, and change management. Each chapter stands well on its own, so you can easily jump to a topic that addresses your immediate challenge, or read it cover-to-cover to appreciate how these interrelated pieces form a cohesive picture. This format makes the book both an educational journey through the landscape of modern project management and a handy reference guide to consult as new challenges arise. And with Bost’s clear and authoritative voice throughout, the perspectives remain consistent even as the topics range from high-level strategy to day-to-day execution details.
A few chapters, in particular, struck a chord with me:
More…
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How to cite this review: Mandapaka, S.Y. (2025). Understanding Project Practices and Processes, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VI, June. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Mandapaka-Understanding-Project-Practices-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Surya Yeshwanth Mandapaka
Vancouver, Washington, USA
Surya Yeshwanth Mandapaka is an accomplished leader in project and operations management, with over a decade of experience driving strategic transformations across infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. Known for delivering measurable outcomes, he blends Lean, Agile, and data-driven methodologies to optimize complex systems and foster operational excellence.
Surya holds an MBA from the prestigious Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, specializing in Supply Chain, Strategy, and Business Analytics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the esteemed Manipal Institute of Technology. His professional credentials include PMP®, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO®) certifications.
Recognized with multiple honors, including awards from the Lean Competency System (UK) and PMI Dallas Chapter, Surya has authored thought leadership articles on operational risk, project governance, and innovation, contributing actively to the advancement of project management practices globally.
A passionate advocate for continuous improvement and ethical leadership, he focuses on helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution through simple, scalable, and sustainable solutions.
Email: suryamandapaka91@gmail.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/smandapaka
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