Authoritative and comprehensive; a highly relevant guide written specifically for project management professionals.
An expert examines the inner workings of the Project Management Office.
Whether a business organization thinks of its needs in terms of projects, programs, or portfolios, there is a standardized process for management that should funnel through a centralized PMO. Spivak, whose background encompasses extensive project management experience as well as management consulting, dissects and explains the optimum functioning of the PMO in this excellent debut. The book offers a useful overview of project management as well as a practical, in-depth examination of all aspects of PMO governance. The author outlines functional responsibilities and governance of the PMO, describes project management methodologies, and addresses process maturity levels. In a discussion of specific project-related career positions, Spivak doesn’t merely put forth a job description for program manager, PMO director, and other jobs—he very effectively outlines the core competencies necessary to excel at each role. The final three chapters of the volume will probably prove the most valuable to business leaders. They cover PMO best practices, leadership, and overall implementation. The author offers his “very important guidelines” for achieving PMO effectiveness, each of which is based on his experience, and uses relevant examples. He also provides specific guidelines for portfolio, program, and project management, clearly delineating the differences as well as “Guiding Statements” for building effective PMOs. A particularly intriguing section of the work, especially for larger organizations, concerns the implementation of “megaprojects” (initiatives with $1 billion-plus budgets). As for leadership, Spivak wisely covers team building as well as personal, interpersonal, and professional traits of exceptional project management leaders. The last chapter presents a short but illuminating PMO business case based on one of the author’s clients. The content is intelligently organized and expertly written, making liberal use of examples. Each chapter concludes with a bulleted summary of key points. Spivak willingly shares his knowledge throughout the book. For example, he details nine strategic recommendations for PMO improvement, contrasted with nine common pitfalls, with helpful recommendations for avoiding them.
Authoritative and comprehensive; a highly relevant guide written specifically for project management professionals.Pub Date: July 30, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-9959618-5-2
Page Count: 270
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Nov. 8, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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