Project Leadership, the classic, best-selling textbook originally by Wendy Briner, Michael Geddes and Colin Hastings, anticipated so many of the changes in approaches to project management that are now regarded as mainstream - not least the focus on behaviours. The Third Edition by experts Sarah Coleman and Donnie MacNicol has been substantially rewritten, introducing new material and experience reflecting the transformation that has taken place in the world of projects and leadership. Project Leadership Third Edition looks at the nature of the leadership role in projects, why it is significant and how it impacts the processes throughout the project life-cycle from shaping and scoping, start up and delivery through to project closure. The authors put considerable emphasis on a set of core capabilities around the themes of vision and strategy, relationship building, communication and engagement. The book also focuses on building personal and organizational project leadership capability including models, tools and diagnostics drawing on experiences of working with projects and organizations from multiple sectors and across the globe. The Foreword and Endorsements have been provided by industry leaders. Sarah Coleman and Donnie MacNicol have retained and built on the wonderful range of simple, imaginative and very applicable models and perspectives developed by the previous authors. Every project leader, aspiring project leader and organization with project management communities should own and use a copy of this book.
Biography
Sarah Coleman leads and supports the shaping, design and implementation of business critical projects in the UK and internationally, in order to help organizations deliver better outcomes and value. Over 25 years’ practical experience of leading and supporting substantial strategic projects, programmes and change has reinforced that people, culture and behaviour are as relevant as the focus on technical skills. Donnie MacNicol is an experienced project and programme leader who is passionate about developing the leadership capabilities of individuals, teams and organisations in the private and public sector to deliver success. Widely recognized as contributing to the ’people and organizational side’ of project management thinking, Donnie is much in demand as a consultant, facilitator, lecturer, speaker and writer.
'Project leadership is a much discussed and written about topic but it suffers from being hard to define and describe in a meaningful way that enables people to reflect on their areas for development. It was therefore refreshing to review Project Leadership 3rd Edition. The authors have tackled head on this challenge and provided materials that both experienced and new-to-the-role project leaders will find of great value across all industry sectors. It contains a number of new models and diagnostics that will help readers to tackle the very real challenges they will face in their role. This book also goes much further than any other: it helps the individual to identify different development opportunities relevant to their own situation to help build their career; it also helps organizations set out excellent project leadership development programmes to support their talent. Every project leader, aspiring project leader and organization with project management communities should own a copy of this book.' Professor Denise Bower, Executive Director of the Major Projects Association and Professor at the University of Leeds, UK
'Effective project management is well recognised as paramount to the success of both public and private organisations and there is a myriad of reference material on the subject. What makes Project Leadership 3rd Edition so different is the relevance it brings to the modern day complexities and fresh challenges created by the demanding pace for change and acceleration of returns on investment. This book is a must read for any level of PM who wants to keep ahead of their game; it brings new angles of currency to some fundamentally important areas that have been somewhat glossed over in the past, including emphasis on the emotional intelligence and “softer†sides of the role. This book will strike a chord with those PMs preparing for their future and also the more experienced honing their project organisations’ skills, knowledge and capability.' Jes Newman, Head of Transformation at Vodafone CHS; previously Program Director for multiple global Blue Chip technology companies
'Project Leadership is more than a well-researched guide to this strange, yet essential, value called leadership. It takes the best of the research and explains concepts in straight-forward terms with real-life input from professionals across industries. This book contains helpful and insightful questions and checklists for every element of project execution and organizational/team development making it something you can read through and reference throughout your career.' Dyan L Foss, Global Managing Director Nuclear Sector, CH2M HILL
'This book is excellent. Not only does it address the new realities of project management but it also gives superb guidance as to how to deal with them. Too many textbooks are focussed on the narrow mechanistic and procedural aspects of projects, but this one gives broad and refreshing insights on how to really excel in an increasingly complex world. Read this and join the new generation of project leaders!' Stephen Carver, Honorary Fellow Association for Project Management; Consultant in Project & Programme Management; and Lecturer at Cranfield School of Management, UK
