by Douglas DeCarlo
|
| List Price: | $47.00 |
| Amazon Price: | $40.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $6.50 (14%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $37.89 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
Product Description
Today’s new breed, eXtreme projects are different. They feature high speed, high change, high complexity, high risk, and high stress. While traditional projects follow the classic model of ready, aim, fire, eXtreme project managers succeed by shooting the gun and then redirecting the bullet while not loosing sight of their moving target. eXtreme Project Management provides a practical guide for leaders working under high risk and high pressure while producing the desired bottom-line results. Based on Doug DeCarlo’s extensive experience in working with more than 250 project teams, his eXtreme project management model is built around an integrated set of principles, values, skills, tools, and practices proven to consistently work under conditions of rapid change and uncertainty. eXtreme project management is based on the premise that you don’t manage the unknown the same way you manage the known. It’s a people-centric approach to high performance that makes quality of life a fundamental part of the project venture.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
 Extreme project management is a complete misnomer here!!, 2006-06-17
What DeCarlo describes is not in any way an extreme project management approach but a common sense process of dealing with the insanity of the expectations for many contemporary projects. DeCarlo has great insight and sound advice on how people and processes must adapt to the business and technical requirements of modern projects.
Unfortunately, he overly chides and unceremoniously puts down the traditional "Newtonians" and their traditional planning and change aversion but somewhat begrudgingly recognizes their proper place in the long history and wide spectrum of projects, i.e., "you don't use eXtreme project management to shutdown a nuclear power plant for maintenance."
I think DeCarlo could have make his points without some of the denigrating remarks about traditional project management and managers, particularly, PMPs. He is certainly not unique with this tact among other non-traditional project management authors in the agile software development camp. Leading both traditional and extreme projects and even some which have both concurrent elements, I have found projects dictate their own approach as DeCarlo suggests in the final chapter.
His section on leadership and self-mastery is the keystone and guiding light of the book, a book which DeCarlo confesses is not about project management but about making a difference in an eXtreme world. This section alone is worth the price of the book. This book is really about leading people not managing projects.
One disappointment is DeCarlo's simplified two step prescription for the organizational transition from the traditional to the eXtreme process. He seems to abandon his own protocol on how to plan and execute the transition which should be the first eXtreme project to be undertaken. He seems to take the "Nike" approach to "just do it" by just adopting the Flexible Project Model and applying JIT project management to a few real projects. I have never worked in an organization, traditional or extreme, where it is this simple to implement fundamental changes without getting the buy-in that DeCarlo emphasizes throughout his book. Perhaps, in the next edition, DeCarlo will expand this section and give us some additional insights of how to make the organizational transition using the eXtreme project management approach.
Overall, DeCarlo has written a witty, insightful and common sense approach to eXtreme projects that just may work if you achieve self mastery, demonstrate courage and convince stakeholders to go along. It should be required reading for all students and practioneers of project management and others who are charged with constructively changing themselves and eventually the world.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent, timely and a new addition to your permanent reference shelf, 2005-09-24
This excellent book dramatically advances the start-of-the-art in agile project management. It goes well beyond any other book on the subject, covering such new ground as how to work with stakeholders, how to assess whether projects are worth doing, how to create a useful plan, and how to work with senior management.
Unlike many agile books, this book is not specifically about software development. It is applicable to any product development effort. I'm a software professional, but everything in the book was relevant and interesting to me. Regardless of what type of product development you are doing, I recommend this book very highly.
This is not a book you'll read and file away. It will become a standard reference for years to come.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Better than most, relates well to non-technical projects too, 2005-08-23
There is little I can add to the positive reviews of this book. Most of these works focus on the usual elements and concerns, with more or less emphasis the various aspects of successful project management. It's worth pointing out, though, that this is one of the rare books that also applies to projects undertaken outside the realm of the purely technical fields.
This is an area that is too often overlooked by traditional PM perspectives, but most "projects" in the world likely fall into the non-tech category. It is time more of us felt able to approach these situations with some of the tools, techniques and perspectives of the PM profession. Unfortunately few sources of guidance or encouragement exist for non-tech professionals, with the exception of Mr DeCarlo, who seems to well understand this void and is attempting to fill it.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
It's all here, 2005-05-23
Doug DeCarlo is a fascinating person and a delightful speaker. To the great benefit of readers everywhere, his essence is now captured in print. We are treated to "totoolitarianism" and project management by eye contact instead of icon-tact . Overcoming "Newtonian neurosis," we learn that "Reality Rules" and in the absence of knowing your purpose, trivia prevails. The way to cope with high [speed, change, complexity, risk, stress] projects is to employ eXtreme project management. "The eXtreme project manager is riding a horse in the middle of a stampede." DeCarlo helps managers succeed by explaining how to shoot the gun and then redirect the bullet while not losing sight of the moving target. In an early chapter on leadership, he says "unless you choose Self-Mastery, you are choosing self-misery....there are no victims, just volunteers." These expressions appear throughout the book, causing many chuckles and nodding of the head in violent agreement.
DeCarlo has written the definitive reference book on eXtreme project management. He covers the 4 accelerators, 10 shared values, 4 business questions, and 5 critical success factors-perhaps a bit much to remember in your elevator pitch but something to refer back to. Personal examples illustrate their application. A colleague stated that DeCarlo "may not go to Project Management Institute heaven" for his attacks on traditional project management. Instead he created a Parallel Universe in an on-going narrative across a number of chapters where characters apply the principles he identifies. He is not interested in "a group exercise in fiction writing" although DeCarlo is very creative himself. His goal is to light the candle so we avoid cursing the darkness.
My only caution in reading this book is to give yourself plenty of time-it is rather lengthy at about 500 pages. You will get the construct, tools, memorable expressions, and examples that cover the topic in detail.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
SOLID RESOURCE WITH LOTS OF INFORMATIVE SUBSTANCE., 2005-04-23
Extreme projects are characterized by two or more of the following: high stakes; tight deadlines; innovation is primary; success measured only in bottom-line results; bureaucracy not tolerated; and quality of life is important. The book presents a holistic framework based on: 4 "Accelerators" (principles for unleashing motivation); ten shared values for building trust and confidence; four business questions that ensure customers receive value early and often; and five success factors. The four parts of the book focus on: the new realities of today and the mindset these demand; critical leadership skills; the flexible project model for extreme projects; and practical guidance on managing the project environment. The last 30 pages present a collection of self-mastery, interpersonal, facilitation, and project management tools and techniques. A solid resource with a lot of informative substance.
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
Store Categories
|