The 8 Best Construction Project Management Books to Learn From – eSUB Construction Software
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The 8 Best Construction Project Management Books to Learn From
One of the most crucial parts of being a construction project manager is confidently executing your role. This level of self-assurance in your methods and techniques can be reached many ways; some may argue that experience in the position itself is the only way to achieve project management perfection, others believe that you can only learn from mistakes along the way. However, no matter the what tale of old times tells, being prepared enough for any job can steer you away from making mistakes at all. What better way to self-prepare than sitting down with a book full of useful construction management information?
Informative books like the few listed below will never go out of date. While you can always surf the internet for tips and tricks to becoming a successful project manager, a book written and published specifically for project management and the fast pace world of constriction will offer the best guidelines and inside information beyond what the web has to offer. Here are the eight books we recommend to get your hands on, whether you are just starting out in the project management field or looking for the newest methods for improving your work ethic.
1. Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book by Duncan Cartlidge
This pocket book is a good one to always keep close by; it is a straightforward read and filled with facts of information on how to execute procedures and projects in construction management. It also includes tips for improving communication, being environmentally friendly, and recommends document formats. If you have never purchased a guided construction management book, this should be your first and is a good book to keep with you in the office or on the field.
2. The First-Time Manager 6th Edition by Loren B. Belker, Jim McCormick, Gary S. Topchick
The First-Time Manager is one of the best-selling construction management books on the market, full of how-to’s for project managers just starting out to embrace their new responsibilities. This book is for the people who do not like to fall back on “learning from their mistakes.” This book offers motivation and management strategies that will please anyone you work with, making it a definite buy for anyone new to project management.
3. Construction Scheduling: Principles and Practices Edition 2 by Jay S. Newitt
The next book on our list is more of a comprehensive, detailed read written for skilled and experienced construction managers. This book contains detailed knowledge and packed text focusing on project scheduling. The book includes tutorials for the four most common scheduling software programs and how to integrate the two effectively.
4. Running a Successful Construction Company (For Pros, By Pros) by David Gerstel
This book was written by a self-taught project manager who developed and applied all of his own methods and techniques to climb the ladder to success in the construction industry and is now a very respected figure in the business world. In his book, he shares his methods on how to succeed in running your own construction company.
5. Construction Management Jumpstart: The Best First Step Toward a Career in Construction Management by Barbara J. Jackson
This start up beginner’s book for construction management is another best seller in the industry, with good reason. This particular book is a well-organized guide that provides a step by step walk through of all stages of project management including project costs, administering contracts, monitoring performances and safety and more.
6. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management by Scott Berkun
Making Things Happen is a good read not just for project managers, but anyone in the construction industry. This book is more of an essay-style read and centers on the essentials to get the satisfying results you want out of every construction project you manage. Thus the fitting title, Making Things Happen.
7. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
The next pick on our list is another book that applies to anyone and everyone in the industry. This book centralizes on doing your job well even under immense stress. Working in the construction sector is a high-pressure job, and project managers especially need to be experts in handling stressful situations. This book has been one of the most influential in books since it was published and is a highly recommended read.
8. Defensive Estimating: Protecting Your Profits by William Asdal
This book is about getting your deserved amount of pay for every project, covering guidelines for accurately estimating and achieving the financial goals for each project. Tips to help you never walk away short-handed from what you should be earning. This book is a must read for project managers to ensure you can always be one step ahead of the game when managing the financial side of construction projects.
How eSUB Can Help
eSUB is a cloud-based project management platform built especially for subcontractors. eSUB organizes all of your project information in one place, allows for smooth collaboration, and streamlines communication through its intuitive interface. It also works on your mobile, so you can track projects on the go—no matter where or when—and stay up-to-date.
Sources
The Ultimate List of the 36 Best Construction Management Books
