In the updated edition of this critically acclaimed and bestselling book, Microsoft project veteran Scott Berkun offers a collection of essays on field-tested philosophies and strategies for defining, leading, and managing projects. Each essay distills complex concepts and challenges into practical nuggets of useful advice, and the new edition now adds more value for leaders and managers of projects everywhere. Based on his nine years of experience as a program manager for Internet Explorer, and lead program manager for Windows and MSN, Berkun explains to technical and non-technical readers alike what it takes to get through a large software or web development project. Making Things Happen doesn't cite specific methods, but focuses on philosophy and strategy. Unlike other project management books, Berkun offers personal essays in a comfortable style and easy tone that emulate the relationship of a wise project manager who gives good, entertaining and passionate advice to those who ask. Topics in this new edition include: How to make things happen Making good decisions Specifications and requirements Ideas and what to do with them How not to annoy people Leadership and trust The truth about making dates What to do when things go wrong Complete with a new forward from the author and a discussion guide for forming reading groups/teams, Making Things Happen offers in-depth exercises to help you apply lessons from the book to your job. It is inspiring, funny, honest, and compelling, and definitely the one book that you and your team need to have within arm's reach throughout the life of your project. Coming from the rare perspective of someone who fought difficult battles on Microsoft'sbiggest projects and taught project design and management for MSTE, Microsoft's internal best practices group, this is valuable advice indeed. It will serve you well with your current work, and on future projects to come.

Berkun worked at Microsoft from 1994 to 2003, has written two acclaimed books, and currently makes a living speaking at events and teaching seminars around the world on topics including leading teams, managing projects, and creative thinking. He presents a revised edition of his 2006 text, The Art of Project Management, for experienced and new team leaders and managers; individual programmers and testers, or other contributors to projects; and students in business management, product design, or software engineering. Incorporating anecdotes and information gained from a decade of experience working in software and web development, Berkun describes how to plan, manage, and lead projects. The original work has been updated, expanded, and enhanced, and includes 120-plus new exercises, a discussion guide for using the book with teams, and revised and streamlined advice in every chapter. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)