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As a project manager, you may be familiar with the standard project management texts, such as “The PMBOK Guide” and “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time.” But what if I told you that you could find some of the most valuable insights and strategies for project management in the most unexpected places? That’s right, I’ve compiled a list of books that, on the surface, may not seem related to project management at all. But as you dig deeper, you’ll find they are chock-full of valuable insights and strategies that can help you improve your project management skills.
Despite appearances, these books can provide valuable perspectives on project management. They can help you better understand your difficulties and offer new and innovative solutions to overcome them. Whether you’re a seasoned project manager or just starting, these unexpected project management references will provide valuable insights and strategies to help you manage your projects more effectively.
Of course, it is vital to note that not every book will be relevant to every project manager. As with any resource, it is necessary to consider your own experiences and the specific needs of your projects before diving into a new text. However, I encourage all project managers to keep an open mind and be willing to explore unexpected sources for inspiration and growth in their field.
Unexpected Project Management References
You may be well-versed in the traditional elements of project management, such as budget, schedule, and scope. However, it’s important to remember that effective project management goes beyond just these technical and common topics. That’s where unexpected project management references come in.
For example, books about psychology, finance, or science fiction can provide insights into the human mind, and social dynamics, improve communication, build stronger teams, and increase overall project success. Additionally, considering references from other domains can help you to think more creatively and approach problems from different angles. It is unusual because it is not every day you discover ideas from an unrelated domain that you can apply to manage your projects.
Psychology
Understanding the role of psychology in your work is crucial for success. It’s critical to be aware of the limitations of cognitive abilities and how they can influence decision-making, which ultimately affects the outcome of your projects. One of the best resources for understanding these concepts is the groundbreaking book “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman.
In this book, Kahneman delves into the intricacies of human logic and the fascinating capabilities and limitations of our cognitive processes, including faults and biases. He also introduces the concept of two main characters in our mind: the fast thinker and the slow thinker, and how these characters influence our judgment and decision-making. The book provides techniques to guard against mental lapses and improve decision-making skills.
I highly recommend reading this and the other books on the list for a deeper understanding of the psychology behind project management. These books are informative and provide an indispensable reference for any project manager. The list includes:
- Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
- Think Like a Rocket Scientist – Ozan Varol
- Think Again – Adam Grant
- Range – David Epstein
- Talking to Strangers – Malcolm Gladwell
- The Invinsible Gorilla – Christopher Chabris & Daniel Simons
- Nudge – Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein
Reading “Thinking Fast and Slow” was the primary reason I created this blog site. I wanted to share the valuable insights I gained from this book and other psychology-related texts with other project managers.
Risks
Risk is an ever-present aspect of our lives, and it’s crucial for IT project managers to have a clear understanding of how to manage it effectively. One of the most influential books on this topic is “The Black Swan” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. This book provides a deep dive into the concept of risk and its impact on our lives, focusing on the unpredictable events that can cause severe consequences.
In project management, risk management is about taking action and making decisions now to influence the future. Your risk tolerance depends on the possible outcomes of your judgment, as they can ultimately make or break your project. Decision-makers who make poor decisions are often harshly punished, which is why many people are risk-averse.
While these books cannot predict the future, they can teach you how to live alongside uncertainty and make better decisions. I recommend checking out the following books for a deeper understanding of risk management:
- Black Swan – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Fooled by Randomness – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Antifragile – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
- Managing the Unexpected – Weick & Sutcliffe
- Risk Savy – Gerd Gigerenzer
Work
Working on any project can sometimes be crazy, not only in projects but work in general. However, work does not have to be mentally or emotionally deranged. Some organizations pride themselves on building an army that works hard and parties hard, but this is an out-of-date culture designed for the industrial age. You can manage projects without inducing unnecessary stress on yourself and your team. You can leave the office at 5:00 PM and do not have to work on weekends.
These books share a variety of ideas on how to work without anxiety and promote better life habits. From learning how to manage remote teams to developing the skill of deep work, to understand the importance of sleep, these books will help you and your team work in a way that doesn’t suck the life out of you.
- It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work – Jason Fried & David Hansson
- Rework – Jason Fried & David Hansson
- Remote – Jason Fried & David Hansson
- Deep Work – Cal Newport
- High Output Management – Andrew Grove
- The 4-hour Work Week – Timothy Ferriss
- Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
- Atomic Habits – James Clear
By incorporating the lessons from these books, you’ll be able to manage projects and work in a way that is not only effective but also sustainable.
Ancora Imparo
I have shared my collection of unexpected project management references – books that delve into topics beyond technical and the usual aspects of project management. The list is not exhaustive. I will continually add new books with ideas I think shall help how to manage projects. After all, I am still learning.
How about you? What unexpected project management references are you using? And what results did it bring to your projects?
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