20 Essential Project Management Books You Need To Read

The PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide is the gold standard for project management, and the 7th edition brings a fresh, more flexible approach. Moving beyond inflexible processes, this edition emphasizes principles and performance over strict methodologies, thus making it more adaptable to different industries, including creative work.

While it might seem to some a bit of a dry read, it’s essential for anyone serious about mastering project management fundamentals or pursuing a PMP certification. Think of it as a reference manual rather than a one-time read, for it is the ultimate guide you’ll keep coming back to.

If you’re new to project management and want a straightforward, no-nonsense introduction, this book has you covered. Written in a clear and engaging style, it breaks down complex concepts into digestible advice. 

It also keeps things practical, making it a great first step for those who’ve landed in a project management role without formal training. While it doesn’t go too deep into advanced methodologies, it’s an excellent foundation for anyone looking to get up to speed quickly.

This book walks you through the essentials in just a week using a simple, structured approach. Told as a business fable, it makes learning engaging and includes practical tips, templates, and a step-by-step framework.

It introduces the PROJECT methodology (People, Requirements, Organize, Jell, Execute, Control, Transfer), which offers beginners a structured yet flexible framework for managing projects. Each chapter concludes with practical tips and templates to apply immediately. While it’s a quick and informative read for newcomers, seasoned project managers might find it lacking in depth.

This updated edition of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager is designed for professionals who find themselves leading projects without formal training. It blends people skills with essential project management processes, offering as a result a practical, easy-to-follow PMP guide to handling projects effectively. 

Filled with engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, this edition serves as a comprehensive resource for those seeking to further enhance their project management capabilities on the go.

For those unexpectedly tasked with managing projects, this easy-to-read book offers a straightforward, step-by-step guide free from complex terminology. It emphasizes actionable steps over theoretical concepts, also providing simple worksheets and checklists to help you initiate, plan, execute, and close projects effectively. 

While it’s an excellent starting point for beginners, many project managers advanced in the field might find it lacks the depth they seek.

Project Management All-In-One For Dummies is a comprehensive guide that combines seven mini-books, covering topics from traditional project management to Agile principles and methodologies. 

It’s designed to enhance your skills in organizing, scheduling, and executing projects effectively, and while it’s a valuable resource for both beginners and seasoned professionals, its extensive content may be overwhelming for some readers.

Drawing from his extensive experience at Microsoft, Scott Berkun offers a series of insightful essays on the nuances of project management. Rather than adhering to a specific methodology, the book delves into the philosophies and strategies essential for effectively leading projects. 

Berkun addresses topics such as decision-making, leadership, and navigating challenges, all presented in an engaging and often humorous style. While the book provides valuable insights, some readers might find that it lacks detailed, step-by-step guidance.

This comprehensive guide, authored by product managers from Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, delves into seven essential topics: Product Design, Economics, Psychology, User Experience, Data Science, Law & Policy, and Marketing & Growth. 

It offers real-world case studies sharing practical experience, actionable frameworks, and interview tips, which definitely make it a valuable resource for aspiring and current product and project managers.

Terry Schmidt’s Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams introduces a strategic approach to effective project management by integrating systems thinking with the Logical Framework Approach.

This updated edition emphasizes turning ideas into actionable projects, offering tools and methodologies to align projects with organizational goals. It also includes new sections on managing the “inner game” and adapting to changing environments.

Drawing from over 30 years of hands-on experience, this book distills project management into practical steps. It offers insights into effective project planning, risk management, and also team leadership, aiming to help readers deliver projects successfully and, most importantly, consistently. The authors focus on practical advice, thus making complex project management concepts accessible.

Eric Verzuh offers a thorough yet accessible guide to project management, balancing foundational concepts with advanced techniques. The book’s latest edition is easy to read, covering the basic principles of project management while including new chapters on project quality, managing creative projects, leadership, and the latest in change management practices, making it a versatile resource for project managers at all levels.

Further on, Contemporary Project Management: Plan-Driven and Agile Approaches is a comprehensive guide that bridges traditional project management methods with modern Agile practices. It aligns with the latest PMBOK® Guide editions, offering readers a balanced perspective on plan-driven and Agile methodologies. The book includes real-life examples, PMP-style questions, and also integrates Microsoft Project to enhance practical understanding.

Doing Agile Right: Transformation Without Chaos is a book that emphasizes the importance of correctly implementing the Agile project management methodologies so one can avoid common pitfalls that can lead to organizational chaos. The authors provide a roadmap for leaders to integrate Agile practices effectively, ensuring that agility enhances rather than disrupts business operations.

This book provides a strong foundation in project management principles, emphasizing a managerial perspective that combines both essential concepts and real-world applications. Designed for both business students and professionals alike, it follows the project life cycle from initiation to closure, demonstrating what successful project management looks like in practice today.

Camille Fournier takes readers through the stages of technical management, from mentoring interns to leading multiple teams and managing managers. Through many examples, the book offers actionable advice for approaching various obstacles in the managerial path, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced leaders in the tech industry.

Breaking complex ideas into simple, applicable strategies, the book serves as a guide for maintaining technical focus while effectively managing team dynamics and growth.

Cracking the PM Career: The Skills, Frameworks, and Practices to Become a Great Product Manager is a comprehensive guide that covers the essential skills, frameworks, and also practices necessary to excel as a product manager. It offers actionable advice on navigating the complexities of the role, from product development to team collaboration, thus providing readers with tools to succeed in product management careers.

The Principles of Project Management is a book that strikes a great balance between theory and real-world advice. Meri Williams uses a conversational tone to explain the human side of project management – things like team communication, expectation-setting, and conflict resolution, without getting lost in corporate jargon. It’s a refreshingly accessible read, perfect for creatives and small team leads.

This open-access textbook is a reliable primer on project management essentials. Adrienne Watt breaks down each stage of the project lifecycle – from initiating and planning to executing and closing, while weaving in practical examples and templates along the way. It’s beginner-friendly, straightforward, and especially helpful for students or new professionals building their foundational knowledge.

Overview

True to its name, this guide leans heavily on practicality. Christine Petersen delivers a concise, step-by-step framework that helps readers navigate everyday project challenges and situations such as scope creep and stakeholder wrangling. It’s ideal for new project managers or anyone juggling project work alongside their main role.

Overview

Created as part of the university’s open learning initiative, this textbook offers a solid, academically grounded take on project management. It covers all the key phases – planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management – with both simple explanations and useful case studies. Thus, it’s great for self-learners who want structured guidance without the tuition fee.