18 Project Management Books to Succeed As A Project Manager

Project management is a complex field that can be difficult to navigate without the proper resources. No matter your experience level, there are always ways to learn more and improve your skills.

If you're just starting out, there are plenty of introductory resources and PMP study materials that can teach you the basics of project management. If you're more experienced, you may want to focus on learning about specific aspects of project management or specialize in a particular area. Even if you're a veteran in the field, continuous learning is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques.

This article provides PM Exam Simulator’s recommended project management books for beginners and learners and for advanced or expert readers in the field.

1. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) 7th Edition

While there's no one silver bullet in passing the PMP Exam, a great partner or accompaniment to the PMP Exam Simulator is none other than the official guide itself.

The PMBOK Guide is a comprehensive resource for project managers, providing everything from an introduction to project management to in-depth explanations of specific project management processes. The seventh edition reflects the most recent changes in the field of project management.

The guide covers all project performance domains covered on the PMP exam, and it includes case studies to help you understand how these concepts apply in practice.

2. The Art of Project Management by Scott Berkun

This book is a great introduction to the concepts and practices of modern project management. It covers everything from setting goals and planning to execution and closure.

This is a good book to start off by learning about the importance of project management in the workplace and how to manage it with your team effectively. It also provides a lot of great tips and advice on how to be successful as a project manager.

One of the notable aspects of The Art of Project Management is that it was written in a very easy-to-understand format and filled with lots of helpful illustrations.

3. Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide by Greg Horine

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a good book to read. This book is geared toward those just starting out in project management, and it provides a basic introduction to the concepts and terminology you will need to know. It also includes practice questions and exercises to help you test your knowledge.

Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide covers all the essential topics you need to know without being too overwhelming. And it doesn’t bog you down with much extra information that you don’t need.

4. Agile Project Management for Dummies by Mark C. Layton, Steven J. Ostermiller, and Dean J. Kynaston

This is a great resource if you want to get into agile project management or learn more about agile frameworks. This book covers everything from the basics all the way to more advanced concepts and provides real-world examples throughout. It also includes a section on agile tools and techniques.

Agile Project Management for Dummies is an easy read and covers a lot of ground, making it a great reference guide for any project management and agile practitioner.

5. Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the basics of project management, from initiating and planning to executing and closing projects. It also includes helpful tips on how to manage common challenges that project managers face and is actually a full course at Franklin Covey.

Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager is an excellent resource for those who are new to project management and want to learn the basics and manage common challenges faced by project managers.

If you are building your PMP study plan, this book is a great partner to help you learn the basics, as it even provides real-life tips on managing common challenges you may encounter during your studies.

Tip: Those tips can help you answer situational questions in the PMP exam.

6. Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam, 2nd Edition by Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene

This book is a comprehensive guide to reaching the ideal PMP passing score or even Above Target scores. It's packed with information on project management theory and practice, and it includes plenty of exercises and review questions to help you test your knowledge.

Head First PMP is an easy read, and it's full of engaging illustrations. The authors take a relaxed, casual learning approach, making the material less intimidating. They also emphasize the importance of understanding the concepts behind project management rather than simply memorizing the steps involved in each process.

7. Project Management for Humans: Helping People Get Things Done by Brett Harned

Harned is a PMP-certified project manager and the founder of digital agency Bloom, so he knows his stuff. In Project Management for Humans, he draws on his experience managing projects of all sizes and across all industries to provide a comprehensive guide to project management.

The book is split into three sections: The first provides an overview of project management basics, from setting goals and creating a timeline to managing stakeholders and dealing with setbacks. The second section delves into specific project management tools and techniques, such as risk management and agile principles. The third section offers tips on how to be a successful project manager, from building a team that works well together to creating a positive work culture.

One of the best things about Project Management for Humans is that Harned doesn't assume that readers are already experts in project management; he starts from the beginning and takes you step by step through everything you need to know. And because the book is tailored to humans rather than machines, it's easy to apply Harned's advice to your own projects.

8. The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management by Tom DeMarco

The book is set in software development, but the lessons it teaches apply to any type of project. DeMarco offers up many valuable insights into the world of project management, and readers will come away with a better understanding of how to manage deadlines, communicate with team members, and handle other challenges during a project.

The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management by Tom DeMarco is a great book to read if you are looking for a source of inspiration for your PMP studies. If you are looking for a source of motivation to help you pass your PMP exam, then The Deadline is definitely a book worth reading.

9. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland

Written by Jeff Sutherland, one of the co-creators of Scrum, the book provides an overview of the Scrum framework and how to use it to improve productivity and efficiency.

As the co-creator of the Scrum methodology, he outlines how to use Scrum to its full potential in order to get things done quickly and effectively. He covers everything from setting up your team, organizing your work, tracking progress, and dealing with setbacks. The book also includes case studies from various industries that demonstrate how Scrum principles can be used to achieve successful outcomes.

This book is a valuable resource for project managers who are looking to adopt the Scrum methodology or improve their Scrum skills. It can help them understand how to use Scrum effectively and overcome common challenges. The book is also relevant for those unfamiliar with Scrum but wanting to learn more about it.

10. Pragmatic Project Management: Five Scalable Steps to Success by David Pratt

The book covers the project management basics while touching up on more advanced concepts such as project complexity, risk assessment, and change management. The book is written in a clear and concise manner, making it easy to understand. It is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about project management.

Pragmatic Project Management provides a step-by-step guide on how to manage projects, which is essential for anyone looking to become a PMP.

11. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Helping individuals learn how to manage their time better and become more organized, this book provides helpful tips and tricks on how to get started and how to keep going with a task until it is completed. It also stresses the importance of taking time for oneself in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.

Project managers should read “Getting Things Done” to learn how to manage their time and tasks better. The book provides a system for organizing and completing tasks, which can help project managers stay on track and meet deadlines. Additionally, the book discusses how to manage stress and stay organized in a busy world.

12. The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas

This book is aimed at software developers, but its lessons on becoming a better programmer apply to all types of project managers.

The book covers topics such as how to learn new technologies quickly, manage difficult projects, and stay productive over the long term. It's a great resource for anyone looking to improve their skills as a project manager, especially within IT or digital environments.

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master is full of practical tips and techniques that can be applied to any programming language or development environment. It also covers important topics such as problem-solving, design, and team collaboration.

13. The Lean Start-Up: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries

The Lean Start-Up is a must-read for all project managers. It provides a framework for understanding how to build and grow successful businesses in today's constantly changing world.

The book is based on the idea of constant innovation, which is essential for success in today's competitive marketplace. It provides techniques and tools for creating and testing new ideas and ways to improve your chances of success. It’s essential reading for anyone who wants to ensure their projects deliver business value in a changing world.

14. Critical Chain Project Management by Eliyahu Goldratt

Goldratt's book addresses the problems often encountered in project management and offers a solution based on the theory of constraints.

The theory of constraints, as he calls it, holds that there is always one constraint in a system that limits its throughput and that managerial actions should be focused on improving the throughput of the system by managing the constraint.

Goldratt's book presents a step-by-step approach to improving project performance by identifying and managing constraints. This approach can be applied to projects of any size and has been shown to be effective in a wide range of industries to manage projects more effectively for project scheduling and resource allocation.

The book also provides a helpful framework for dealing with disruptions and unexpected changes.

15. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Amy Wallace and Edwin Catmull

This book is essential reading for any project manager looking to foster a creative environment in their team.

Creativity, Inc. provides an inside look at the workings of Pixar Animation Studios and the challenges faced by its co-founders, Ed Catmull and John Lasseter. The book covers everything from overcoming creative blocks to building a culture of trust and experimentation.

One of the key takeaways from Creativity, Inc. is the importance of creating a safe environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks. This can be a challenge for many project managers, who are often under pressure to deliver results on time and within budget. However, as Creativity, Inc. demonstrates, creativity and innovation are essential for success in today's competitive marketplace.

Project managers who read Creativity, Inc. will learn how to create an environment that encourages creativity and innovation, resulting in better project outcomes.

16. The Elegant Solution: Toyota's Formula for Mastering Innovation by Matthew E. May

Discusses how Toyota has become one of the most successful companies in the world by using a simple and elegant formula for mastering innovation.

This formula can be applied to projects, and May provides ways on how to do so. Reading this book will help project managers learn how to streamline their projects, improve communication, and achieve better results.

17. Managing Multiple Projects: How Project Managers Can Balance Priorities, Manage Expectations and Increase Productivity by Elizabeth Harrin

Elizabeth Harrin's Managing Multiple Projects is one of the top PMP books for project managers looking to balance priorities and increase productivity.

The book is filled with valuable insights and tips on how to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, from setting realistic deadlines to dealing with stakeholders' expectations. It is an essential read for any project manager looking to improve their multi-project management skills.

18. The 50 PMP Exam Prep Questions Everyone Gets Wrong: Master The Hard Questions - Ace Your PMP Exam by Cornelius Fichtner

The 50 PMP Exam Prep Questions Everyone Gets Wrong is a must-read for project managers who are looking to pass their PM certification exam. This book includes 50 challenging questions that are likely to be asked on the PMP exam, along with explanations of why each answer is correct or incorrect.

Reading this book will help project managers prepare for the exam and avoid making common mistakes. And increase their chances of passing the exam.

These are just a few of the many great books that can help experienced project managers stay ahead of the curve. With any luck, they will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to manage your next project successfully.

Look no further if you're looking for the best books to study for the PMP exam. The books we've presented in this article are recommended by experienced project managers and will help you pass the PMP exam the first time with flying colors.

But don't stop there! Once you have your PMP certification, use these books to become an even better project manager.