Results Without Authority: Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You - A Project Manager's Guide

This book is a massive breath of fresh air.I am a credentialed PMP with a solid foundation in project management. I read a lot of material and continue to attend a lot of courses on project management. In my experience, most books are either: A) heavy on the formal processes without much in the way of actually HOW to conduct them, or B) an overview of business cases with the occasional tip and trick thrown in. In contrast, this book talks about the whats, the whys, and most importantly the hows of being a successful PM. If you're a new project or program manager with little formal experience or education in the topic, this should be one of your first stops on the way to learning. Although it does reference the usual PMI jargon, it isn't swimming in it, and more importantly, all methods/theories and terms are explained well. It's a very approachable but thorough examination on Project Management. The book isn't written as a manual, though it does provide an excellent reference framework in its structure. What that means is that you can easily skip to the parts you need help with, or return back to points you need to have refreshed. The tone and tenor of the book is akin to listening to a mentor provide guidance. I really wish I had this type of resource when I started PM work in the military over a decade ago. And for those of you with decades of experience, I believe there are still some excellent points for takeaway; likely it will force you to revisit some things you take for granted, refresh your assumptions and otherwise reflect on how you do things and how you can improve.

I bought this book shortly before initiating a large, multi-team project, and I've found the information very useful. Recommended for all project managers.

If Tom Sawyer had used this book, his friends would have done a far more than just whitewash a fence. "Results without Authority" is just what most project people need to be successful. Projects where you control everyone are almost nonexistent. I have done project work for over a decade and this book was very helpful. The book contained so many insights that I used it as the basis for a 2 hour training session with my consulting group.

This stuff works! "Results without Authority" is a powerful source of tools and common sense advice for people managing projects without formal authority. And most of the projects I have managed and most of the projects I am aware of are managed by people without authority. Tom Kendrick brings a depth of wisdom that can only be learned in the trenches. Kendrick weaves theory and practice to build a comprehensive set of tools, templates, and checklists that can be used by everyone from the newly appointed project manager to the steely veteran. This volume is the most practical, down-to-earth, treatment of managing without authority that I have ever read. And, it is a good read and an enjoyable read. "Results Without Authority" must be required reading for all project managers, whether they have authority or not. Read it today and start using it tomorrow.

While I have a few project management reference books, it's rare to find a book on the topic that you can actually enjoy reading from cover to cover. Results Without Authority covers a lot of ground, and there's something for every level of project manager. The book would serve well as a guideline for someone leading a new project management organization, or for someone who's been in the profession a while, but would like to refine their skills beyond what's done in their own organization. I particularly enjoyed a section about how to build currency with your team -- how to start, and how to enhance it over time. The author has really done an astounding job of putting into words something I'd have a hard time describing, and he gives lots of great ideas that are much more rational and sustainable than the usual team-building exercises you still see at organizations. One other interesting part was his detailed analysis of choosing the right metrics for the project -- a gap for many project managers. It's easiest to measure what we always measure than to make sure our measures are counterbalanced and take individual project issues into consideration. Throughout the book, he keeps your attention with clear, concise writing and the occasional unexpected laugh. A great read.