[.ca] A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: ... (ISBN 1880410230)

Good reference, but you will fail PMP if you rely only on it:
This reference is good for a base of terminology for Project Management. Unfortunately, because the difference between an IT project and a Construction project is so great, the BOK can only address high-level concepts. The golden nugget is that what the BOK does address are time-tested standards that help all project managers. Why do you make a Charter? What goes in it? What do you get out of it? The BOK answers all these questions. By following the framework, your projects will have a fighting chance and not get caught up in a tangle of disorganization. As for the PMP-applicability of this reference, it does not address contracts, team-building, or ethics, which are all required for passing the test. When I studied for the test, I spent about 5% of my time studying the PMBOK and 95% on other reference materials. I earned my PMP after 5 weeks of studying, without memorizing anything from the BOK.

Essential reference fo PMP:
This book is a good reference and should be used as a reference book. You need to know the content of this book to pass the PMP. However, don't use thie book at the only source of study. Get a copy of Andy Crowe's "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" and "The Ultimate PMP Study Aid" (from ebay). By the way, when your join the PMI memnbership, they will send a CDROM verson of the book free.

Do not panic,:
For those new to this book it is pretty much the project manager's bible in the same sense that "The C Programming Language" by Brian W Kernighan, Dennis M. Ritchie is to programming. That is to say this is the one to get off the ground with. It is also the basis of the PMP (Project Management Professional) test given by the PMI® (Project Management Institute.) It comes in both paper, and CD-ROM using Adobe Reader. I have seen the paper book but bought the CD version it includes a tutorial on how to use the CD-ROM media. The media is a mater of preference. There are 425 pages and a good index and references. Be aware that there are earlier versions. At the time of this review this is the latest version; however as The Body of Knowledge advances so will the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide ®.) There for it is advisable for people that have read the earlier version to now read this version as a few terms have changed and some emphases have shifted. As with any institutional book this is a good starting place or a solid foundation. However it may not cover concentrating on the waterfall concept of project management many instances such as the Unified method among others. They also do not take in many external influences as FDA requirements. And it is up to the reader to reconcile the two institutions. Some changes to the Third Edition: * Differences in Project life cycle and product life cycle are better explained. * The number of process changed from 39 to 44. * A greater emphasis is placed on the importance of Process Groups. * Chapter three "Project Management Process for a Project" is moved and renamed "The Standard for Project Management of a Project." * The project management processes now show process integration.

Essential Classic:
This book is certainly a must have for the management of BIG projects. It is extremely rich in a wide area of relevant details. It is extremely good as a reference. It is good, if your specific area has not an established project methodology. On the other hand I do not like the book for reading and learning. It feels like reading a book on income taxes regulations, though a good one.

A very useful guide:
The CD version very useful and easy to readup. The information inside is well presented for all aspects of project management. The CD is a must for both starting and experienced project managers. Since it is published by PMI, it gives the distilled version of world wide accepted and approved practices in the domain. An Excellent book.