New books, recommended favourites and podcasts to keep you entertained, Autumn 2022

Land speed Record holder Richard Noble on the art of teams, and Dr Ronald Dyer on the impact of artificial intelligence.

Project Management Techniques: Artificial Intelligence

Rory Burke (Burke Publishing)

This book covers all the fundamentals required for practising project managers. Its comprehensive 30‑chapter exploration of everything from the project life cycle to organisational structures provides readers with deep insights regarding the what and how of project management. Readers can expect the basic introduction to core project management concepts, progressing systematically through each subcomponent in detail – e.g. chapter 3 on life cycle approaches provides a balanced perspective (PMBOK and APM) of methodologies. Illustrations further support useful examples of various types of project.

Project management techniques, artificial intelligence

Another benefit is the inclusion of a detailed chapter regarding business case strategy, a requisite component for aligning projects with the overall organisational strategy. Here the author walks readers through a step‑by‑step process, commencing with the corporate vision and its requisite elements, all the way through to a series of useful questions at the end of the chapter supported by a full business case structure.

However, the true value of this edition is the addition of the artificial intelligence (AI) perspective on the project profession. The impact and trajectory of AI across all aspects of business have now become common themes, and projects are no exception.

The second chapter provides a brief historical perspective on the changing landscape of technology and its influence on project management, as well as introducing the role of AI and walking through various facets of this domain, from the internet of things (IoT) to AI software and robots.

“As we enter the early stages of the fourth industrial revolution, the use of AI algorithms is creeping into almost every aspect of project management techniques.” This opening sentence provides much‑needed context for integrating various aspects of AI into projects. Using Table 2.4, which explores how AI impacts planning, the author attempts to provide insights into various planning aspects specifically related to projects utilising AI to support implementation objectives. Further examples exist in chapter 15, where the author discusses IoT integration in the project schedule. Overall, the book attempts to frame AI integration in project management through a mix of usefully interspersed examples to support professional implementation.

A useful next step would be to develop a workbook for practitioners present and future that can assist better AI adoption in the profession.

Review by Dr Ronald Dyer, Programme Director for Sheffield University Management School’s Executive MBA

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Team Lead Succeed: Helping You and Your Team Achieve High-Performance Teamwork and Greater Success

Nick Fewings (self‑published)

It’s not often that we get a chance to find a new book dedicated to teamwork – a subject that is so critically important to group and corporate development, and which is so often poorly developed. So, when Nick Fewings’ book arrived, I was delighted to review it. Fewings has spent some 10 years and 500 courses leading/teaching teamwork. As a result of this, he has accumulated a prodigious mass of experience from which the reader benefits.

We have all been to meetings that don’t work – and it’s a painful experience, particularly if the self‑imposed leader fails to bring the team to a decision and there is much disagreement. Hopefully this book will help team leaders get the message and stop wasting their teams’ time. (Important to send a copy to Downing Street.)

There are, however, points in all this that need clarification. To enable a team to really work, it must have its own free identity. It’s never ‘your team’ or ‘my team’ – it’s always ‘The Team’. It’s not for nothing that the one and only Bob Dylan called his musicians The Band. No feudal ownership there.

Fewings gets confused over team dynamics – believed by many to be the most important element of all in mature teams. It is the psychological interpersonal group relationship that develops when mature teams have to fight closely for progress and over key issues. To experience it is a real joy – and so often the team comes up with radically different and far better decisions than the imposed leader.

Many of Fewings’ courses appear to have been led by him and led by example. Frankly, in an established team, the leadership should change according to agenda subject – and each leader should stand down and hand over as soon as possible so that there are no lifetime hierarchy leaders. Teams and leaders soon get the message and the quality improves dramatically. A formidable amount of work went into this book and it’s a nice handbook to own. I am holding on to my copy.

Review by Richard Noble, author of Take Risk! and an Honorary Fellow of APM

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My Bedside Books

Debbie Lewis, Program Portfolio Manager, Fujitsu Global

1. Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by L David Marquet (Penguin)

This was recommended to me when I was facing some challenges preparing to lead a transformation programme that was as much about winning hearts and minds as it was about implementing the changes and the benefits. Discovering the workings of the US Navy was an interesting aside also (it’s the setting for the book). I struggled with it at times but persevered as it did make me assess and think differently about my approaches.

2. A Promised Land by Barack Obama (Viking)

A continuation of my personal love and admiration for the Obamas. Having read Michelle’s book Becoming, it’s really interesting to read the personal relationships and thought processes in relation to American politics and eventually becoming US President from Barack’s perspective. He provides some truly personal insights and also inspires one not to give up, despite adversities and prejudices which can be encountered.

3. Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber (Pan Books)

An easy read which uses the most unusual analogy I have read. The learning points are very clear and summarised well at the end of each chapter. Personally, I made a note of each of the learning points as each chapter ended so I could easily refer to them going forwards. In summary: fun while you learn.

We’re all ears – podcasts to listen to

APM Podcast

Listen to the ex‑CEO of Crossrail, Mark Wild, reveal what it took to put the megaproject back on track – and how one goes about leading such a complex turnaround. Wild took over as CEO in 2018 at a time of highly publicised budget and deadline overruns. Fast‑forward to May this year, and he stepped down as CEO following the long‑delayed but much celebrated opening of the Elizabeth Line. Wild is refreshingly honest on what went wrong, and gives valuable lessons that any project professional can take something from and apply to their own work.

The Digital Project Manager Podcast

Co‑founder of the Digital Project Manager Galen Low chats with subject‑matter experts, real‑world digital project managers and all manner of industry insiders. Listeners get guidance on theory, tactics, methodologies, best practice and other expert contributions. The most popular episodes include ‘Tales of a Remote Project Manager’ and ‘Stop Pointing Fingers’.

BBC’s All in the Mind

A programme that explores the limits and potential of the human mind. It provides food for thought for both work and life beyond office hours. Presenter Claudia Hammond has covered everything from ‘The Psychology of Regret’ and ‘Post‑pandemic Mental Health’ to asking ‘Can Bosses be Kind?’.