Identifying and Managing Project Risk
What People Are Saying
getAbstract.com Book Summaries:
Author Tom Kendrick has clearly steeped himself in the analysis of projects and project risks. This book is, if anything, almost too comprehensive. It draws on an extensive database of project experience and passes along detailed observations, facts and circumstances relating to project risk control. Because the style is somewhat hard to follow, you have to pay attention to understand how these observations and experiences relate to managing a project and its risks. Sometimes the author detours to trees when the issue is the forest. Nonetheless, this book absolutely belongs on every project manager's shelf. As a lagniappe, the author provides an interesting history of one of the most important projects in modern history--the construction of the Panama Canal. As a metaphor for every project, it works nicely. Almost every "don't" and every "do" of project management happened during the construction of the Canal. If you are enthralled by how projects unfold--or in charge of one--getAbstract.com recommends this book to you. You'll even love the detours. Rating: 9.0 out of 10
Robert J. Graham, Ph.D., Consultant and Author (Creating an Environment for Successful Projects, The Project Manager's MBA, Project Management As If People Mattered, and other books), Mendocino, CA:
Finally, we have a book on project risk that was written from the point of view of the manager rather than that of a mathematician. The author lays out a clear and concise program for identifying and minimizing project risk, and thus aiding in project success. This is done from the project manager's point of view and with a minimum of mathematical jargon. The author's clear exposition shows that he has spent many years explaining these concepts to many managers, and now many more project managers can benefit from this experience. Following the program explained in this book will help every project manager minimize their risk of project failure.
Al DeLucia, Director, Project Management Division General Services Administration (GSA), Philadelphia, PA
Anyone who—like me—has struggled to relate the abstract discussion of Risk Management in the PMBOK® to actual project management practice will welcome this down-to-earth presentation. This book shows how to incorporate risk management into the planning of your project along the way—the entire way—of the project development sequence.
Read Al's full review.
Don White, Ph.D., MBA. Professor and Chair, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA:
I found this excellent book on identifying and managing project risk to be well-grounded on strong fundamentals of project risk management. It is very comprehensive yet easy to read, filled with the spectrum of useful tools and approaches, and illustrated with numerous insightful practical examples. In particular, examples from the PERIL database and linkage to PMBOK® 2000 in every chapter were especially valuable.
Overall, I expect that this book will become the benchmark reference guide on project risk management.
Paul T. Malinowski, Director of Corporate Engineering, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ.
I enjoyed the book very much—the combination of practical examples and user-friendly tools make application of the concepts possible. I like the High-Level Risk Assessment tool—we will pilot these tools on several teams. I really appreciate the real-life examples that help illustrate the key points.
Nancy McDonald, Associate Partner, Accenture, Wilmington, DE:
This book addresses both the science and the art of project management. A great read for both new and experienced project managers, as well as aspiring project managers. The Panama Canal example provided discerning insights into why some projects fail and others succeed. I couldn't wait to read about how that project ultimately turned out!
Ted Lancaster, Director of Global Engineering Services, Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA:
Kendrick provides what is so often lacking in Project Management texts--real life experience as a project manager to bring the practical application of difficult theories to life. He explores the wide range of risk management techniques that are critical to successfully delivering complex projects. A delight to read and apply.
J. D. Watson, Manager, Global Telecommunications, DuPont Textiles & Interiors, Wilmington, DE:
This book is not only effective in minimizing risk in the design of projects, but helpful with prescriptive mitigation strategies to recover a project in need. The book has already found a place on my desk...like a good cookbook, it's starting to get marked up and dog-eared from frequent use.
David O'Neal, PMP, Business and IT Consultant, Sunnyvale, CA:
It is a sad fact of life that most project managers do not have the liberty of choosing or selecting from among the projects to which they commit big chunks of their lives. Usually when it's dumped in their lap, they must manage or else. It's clear that Tom Kendrick understands this, and he gets immediately to the heart of the single biggest issue that all PMs must face--failure.
Read [this book] slowly, scan it, or study it. Pick what works for you. There are gems everywhere. Coming from a broad business background, I was surprised and pleased with the comprehensive presentation of project management as a systemic whole.
Read David's full review.