O’Reilly just kicked off some PR for the release of Making things happen with a write-up on their blog a spiffy new press release, and to celebrate they’re giving away a free copy of the book.

All you have to do is head over to the O’Reilly PR site, and enter a comment describing the perfect project manager.

Winner chosen by Kathryn on April 15th.

Posted in Making things happen | 7 Comments »

Since my book the art of project management went out of print, I bet your world has been gray. You’ve been unable to sleep. You’ve been nervous at work. You’ve lost interest in food. Your spirits have been so low, at times it’s even been hard to breathe. “When will it end!” you’ve cried. But still, the book has stayed out of print.

Well… your deepest, most secret wish has been granted: it’s here! The universe will be saved! All project management challenges will flee at the sight of this mighty tome in your hand!

Oh, the joys of authorial sarcasm - anyway, I’m proud to say the book is now available and looks great.

Now titled Making things happen: mastering project management it has all the good stuff from the original edition, plus:

• A cover than doesn’t suck
• 120+ brand new exercises
• carefully re-edited and revised chapters.
• improved footnotes (actually on the same page as the text! amazing!)
• A discussion guide for using the book with reading groups
• Tons of suggested improvements from pmclinic rock stars

It’s the definitive edition of the bestselling book. I hope you’ll check it out and spread the word: buying my books helps fund free stuff like the essays and the pmclinic.

Available now on amazon.com.

Posted in Making things happen, art of project management, books | 5 Comments »

Not sure how to explain it, but while the book has been out of print, it appears to be in short supply. The prices for used copies of The art of project management are hovering over $100 at amazon. And I couldn’t find a single copy listed on ebay. My guess is many folks hold onto the book as a reference, so despite the book’s sales numbers while in print, it’s hard to find.

The updated edition should be in stores and on amazon in a few weeks, so if you wait, you’ll save some cash.

Posted in Making things happen, art of project management | 4 Comments »

The book is on the home stretch - final pass at editing is almost wrapped up and off to the printer. Here’s the cover for the new edition - looks sharp! WooHoo! Can’t wait for this to be out there and to have the book back in print.

The update includes:

• Much tighter writing in all chapters: it’s a lean, crisp read.
• Many corrections, figure improvements, and improved references.
• 120 exercises to help you apply and practice what you’ve learned.
• A discussion guide for forming reading groups and getting value from them.

You may notice that the new chapter I promised isn’t listed. It didn’t make the book for the following reason: it wasn’t that good. It didn’t feel right to cram it in there, and have people think I stuck it in just to draw more sales. Instead I plan to finish up the chapter and post it online, for free.

Stay tuned - As soon as I know when it will be available in physical stores, I’ll let you know.

You can pre-order the book now.

Posted in Making things happen, art of project management | 2 Comments »

Reading my first book is infuriating at times, yet I’m happy about it. How can this be?

Given the unusual task of revising something already published (in this case, a book), there are two likely ways to feel about it:

1. This is great! I don’t want to change a thing.
2. This sucks! I want to rewrite this thing from scratch.

The first case is only superficially good. If I can’t see ways to improve the writing, or to give better advice, then what have I learned about writing (or management) in the last three years? Not much.

The second case, while painful, illustrates growth. If I don’t like it, it suggests I’m capable, now, of making the same points in less words, from a better perspective, or with a clearer structure that’s more fun to read.

In truth, the book is what it is. I’m not the same guy I was when I wrote the thing, and part of what makes the book good is who I was. It has to fit together and I don’t want to wander into George Lucas territory. But it’s fun snipping sentences, tightening paragraphs, updating references, and getting those exercises in there. I get to play my own editor for awhile.

My point I suppose is it’s healthy to go back to old writing and cringe. If you’re a blogger, go back and read your first posts - you’ll laugh and cry, I’m sure. That’s good - you’re still alive and getting better.

Posted in Making things happen, On writing, art of project management | 2 Comments »

The revision of Making things happen (formerly known as the art of project management) is wrapping up.

As a last call for anyone with a correction, typo, or reference suggestion they’ve found in their edition of the book, Speak up now! Anything that you’ve though should or could be fixed is fair game.

Reward: If you’re the first to suggest a correction that gets made, I’ll get you a copy of the updated book!

Deadline: 1/10/2008.

Leave a comment if you’ve got something. Cheers.

Posted in Making things happen, art of project management | 3 Comments »

The work on Making things happen (the book formerly known as the art of project management) is well underway. Months ago, I asked you to vote on what you wanted. There were many excellent suggestions, which I’ve read and am reviewing, but top votes went to a new chapter:

One remaining decision is what the new chapter will be. I’ve heard three good candidates so far.

Possible new chapters:

• How to build/grow a team
• The secrets of morale
• Learning from projects after they ship (or your iteration ends)

They’re all good fits, and I have my opinions, but I want yours. For reference, here is the full outline from the existing book (I’ll give you a dirty look if you ask for a chapter that’s already in there :)

So leave a comment and let me know: does one of the above rock for you? Or is there something else you want to see as Chapter 17?

Thanks!

Posted in Making things happen, art of project management | 14 Comments »