PM 101 according to the Olde Curmudgeon or Communication and Group Decision Making

PM 101 according to the Olde Curmudgeon: An Introduction to the Basic Concepts of Modern Project Management

Author: Francis Marion Webster

Former editor-in-chief for the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Francis M. Webster Jr. refers to himself as "the Olde Curmudgeon." After reading his new book, it is difficult to see how this description applies. What Webster delivers in PM 101: According to the Olde Curmudgeon: An Introduction to the Basic Concepts of Project Management is insider information dispensed with a friendly arm-around-the-shoulders approach. This is a book of veteran do's and don'ts, generously shared with novice project managers. Webster's passion is modern project management, those aspects of the field not given adequate attention in the past. You'll learn the nine essential skills of modern project management, making this an essential book for your project management library. Writing as the "Olde Curmudgeon," Webster lets new project managers in on the tricks of the trade. By following his advice, the most inexperienced novice should look good. In PM 101, Webster shares his well-reasoned, well-organized observations. This carefully written manual is full of ideas, distinctions, rules, and metaphors-even commandments. PM 101 is essential for new project managers who need to come off the blocks on the right foot fast!

Francis M. Webster Jr., Ph.D., PMP, has more than 40 years of experience practicing, consulting on, and teaching project management. His industrial experience includes managing the corporate operations research unit at Chrysler Corporation.

He has served PMI in a variety of ways, including serving as editor-in-chief from 1985 until 1994. He is a PMI Fellow and is revered as a true PMI Historian. Longtime member of the Institute, he was also the persona behind PM Network's "Olde Curmudgeon."

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Teacher/consultant Webster offers warm advice intended for the novice project manager. He also lists nine essential skills of the project manager, and explicates basic concepts with numerous colorful metaphors. Chapters focus on the technical skills, leadership traits, and administrative skills the job requires, as well as issues like scope management, the work breakdown structure, and the project network diagram approach. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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Communication and Group Decision Making

Author: Randy Y Hirokawa

The long-awaited second edition of Communication and Group Decision Making advances a unique perspective on group decisionmaking, complementing approaches taken in management, psychology, and sociology. Group communication processes are extremely important, yet they have proven to be elusive and difficult to understand, and the type of theory necessary to make sense of the processes differs from those commonly found in the social sciences. This exceptional book gathers together and discusses a number of strong theoretical frameworks that have developed over the past 15 years. Providing important empirical evidence, the authors take stock of recent developments in group communication research. The essays are distinctive, both in their explicit focus on communication processes and in their location in a unique intellectual tradition.

Booknews

Discusses major theories in communication and group decision making developed over the past 15 years, covering functional theory, symbolic convergence, the structuration of group decisions, and socio- egocentric theory. Details the roles of developmental process, communication, and influence in group decision making, and discusses leadership skills, new communication technologies, and procedures for enhancing group decision making. For those in management, psychology, and sociology. Paper edition (unseen), $26.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)