I decided to compile a list of books that have been useful to me, as a Project Manager.

Some of these books are designed to be a reference to help you in your job, some of them to help with specific PM qualifications and some just to read and retain. I have placed the books in order of importance and influence to my knowledge as a Project Manager:

* A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK Guide (PMBOK Guides) – Project Management Institute (Paperback – Oct 2004)

The PM Bible, this contains all terms and of course is required for PMI, CAPM and PMP exams.

* Project Management for IT-related Projects: Textbook for the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Project Management – Bob Hughes, Roger Ireland, Norman Smith, David I. Shepherd (Paperback – Aug 31, 2004)

This is the official text for the ISEB Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management, one of the best introductions to IS PM.

* Project Management in the Real World – Elizabeth Harrin (Paperback – Nov 1, 2006)

£20.98

This is a great book, probably suited to those who have already worked in PM.

This book gives case studies and real world examples of what works.

* Goal Directed Project Management: Effective Techniques – Erling S. Andersen, Kristoffer V Grude, Tor Haug (Paperback – Feb 26, 2004)

This is one of the first PM books I read! Groundbreaking at the time in changing the paradigm from task orientated to goal orientated project management.

* PMP Exam Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass PMI’s PMP Exam on Your First Try! – Rita Mulcahy (Paperback – Sep 30, 2005)

Widely known as THE product to help you pass PMP!

* 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey (Paperback – Jan 4, 2004)

I believe this will help anyone with planning, organising and prioritising work.

* The Mythical Man Month and Other Essays on Software Engineering – Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (Paperback – Aug 8, 1995)

Brilliant book on all aspects of project management in the “real” world

* PRINCE2 Pocketbook – Office of Government Commerce (Paperback – Jul 15, 2005)

This is a pocketbook overview of all of the main principles of Prince2 – I found this book useful as an aide memoir.

* Passing the PRINCE2 examinations – The APM Group based on the original book Ken Bradley (Paperback – Nov 30, 2007)

I used this for my exam, it is essentially just tips and past papers, but useful nonetheless.

* Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 – Great Britain. Office of Government Commerce (Paperback – May 31, 2005)

This is the official text, and is required in the exam! However to read the text is really dry – like reading the dictionary!

* Prince2 for Dummies – Nick Graham (Paperback – Apr 18, 2008)

This book is a good starter and is readable as a book on the way to work etc… Gives a good overview of Prince2!

* PRINCE2: A Practical Handbook (Computer Weekly Professional) – Colin Bentley (Paperback – Dec 6, 2001)

This is a readable Prince2 book also – I read this as a pre-cursor to my formal training.

* The Project and Programme Support Office Handbook: Foundation v. 1 – David E. Marsh (Paperback – Jan 1, 2000)

THE text required to prepare for the ISEB Certificate in Programme and Project Support Office Essentials exam.

* The Project and Programme Support Office Handbook: Advanced v.2: Advanced Volume 2 – David E. Marsh (Paperback – Apr 1, 2000)

A more advanced text to help prepare for the Advanced Certificate in Programme and Project Support Office exam.

* More Secrets of Consulting: The Consultant’s Tool Kit – Gerald M. Weinberg (Paperback – Jan 15, 2002)

Useful for contractors and surviving all project work

* The Complete Project Management Office Handbook (ESI International Project Management) – Gerard M. Hill (Hardcover – Aug 15, 2007)

A comprehensive reference text for setting up a Project Office.

* Waltzing with Bears: Managing Risk on Software Projects – Tom DeMarco, Timothy Lister (Paperback – Mar 31, 2003)

Excellent book on risk and risk management

* Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams – Tom DeMarco, Timothy Lister (Paperback – Feb 28, 1999)

Great project based info.

Enjoy!