Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches
Product Description
Web project management is a relatively new and expanding profession. It has developed as people have discovered how different web site development is from traditional software projects. Web project managers are not only found in technology companies or dot coms. As companies of all sizes in all industries rush to integrate the web into their daily business operations, employees are being asked to manage web projects of all shapes and sizes. As veterans of the intern… More >>
Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches
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I’ve read a couple of other books on the subject, and though they were all excellent judged on their own merits, Shelford and Remillard’s book stands out in at least three ways:
First, the emphasis placed on the practical aspects of web project management is invaluable. They just don’t talk about what should be done, but also show how to do it. For instance, one knows that in order to be an effective project manager, s/he has to get along with all the players on the team. That’s common sense, but what really helps is tips on how it should be done, as the authors do. In the quality assurance section, the importance of bug tracking is mentioned. Then they go on to talk about how to track the different bugs, the tools to use, information to keep etc.
Second, as someone before me has already mentioned, the case-studies in the book are really helpful. They give insight into how web projects are handled in the real world, ie corporations and smaller companies. If you’re going to be working as a web PM, it certainly helps to know about the experiences others have had. In one example, the situation of an indepedent consultant is described – he has to deal with three or four different, non-complying, business units within the same company to simply obtain a copy of the the marketing email distribution list needed for the project. If you find yourself having to deal with problematic clients, you’ll have a head start on how to handle the situation. We as readers can benefit from years of acumen developed and distilled by other project managers by simply reading the case-studies.
Thirdly, the templates and other documents provided in the CD are a good starting point for your own projects. You can put them to use immediately with minor modifications. Samples for various mock projects are provided, so you know what kind of information to collect.
All in all, a good book.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is excellent!
I run a web site design, hosting, and web application development company and use this book as a reference tool when questions or situations pop up. It packs great information into each chapter and has real-world case studies at the end of each chapter (that most project managers can relate to).
Rating: 5 / 5
I’m working with a design studio that is now offering web services to its clients. This book has been very helpful, giving us a look at web projects and procedures.
It is skewed to larger projects than we will likely be involved in.
The best parts of the book are the descriptions of real projects and real problems.
Humor helps the message get through: that these kinds of projects frequently change, new problems crop up, people don’t always react the way you’d expect and that it’s all part of the job.
Rating: 4 / 5
I bought and read this book as I was trying to make a career move into Web Project Management. This book was very helpful to me in taking my PM skillset, and web-enabling it. I found the templates very useful as a starting point as well. When I eventually did land a job doing more web-based PM – I shared this books resources with my team to use on an intranet re-design project we’re working on. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
Clearly, the web as we know it will only become more and more ingrained in our businesses and our society. As a relative neophyte to the Internet space I found this book to be invaluable in developing a better understanding of web development. Probably, the best thing about the book was its focus on practical applications and real world examples. The Internet of the 1990′s was filled with industry jargon and pie in the sky ideas that have gone the way of the dodo (and Internet stocks sky high valuations). If someone is looking for how to develop a web site the right way, right away then this book is a great place to start.
Rating: 5 / 5