Joseph Dolphin’s What They Still Don’t Teach You in Project Management School Part 2 is a powerful and insightful follow-up to his first book, expanding the conversation about project management beyond the basics. In Part 2, Dolphin pushes the boundaries of what most project managers are taught in traditional training, taking readers on a journey through advanced project management concepts that are crucial for the modern world. The book’s exploration of management consulting practices, such as change management, benefits management, and Lean Six Sigma, provides invaluable insights into how project managers can adapt to a constantly shifting business landscape. Dolphin also delves deeply into service and agile delivery, offering practical strategies to help organizations become more efficient, adaptable, and valuable. The book’s message is clear: project management is not just about completing tasks but driving transformation and strategic success.
The primary strength of Dolphin’s book lies in its ability to bridge the gap between traditional project management and the growing need for a broader skill set that includes consulting and strategic thinking. In today’s dynamic business environment, project managers need more than just technical skills. They must understand how to manage change, optimize processes, and deliver sustainable results. Dolphin draws on his extensive experience in both management consulting and global IT delivery to offer readers a comprehensive guide to these advanced topics. His dual PhD and MBA credentials further strengthen the book’s authority, as he masterfully intertwines theoretical knowledge with real-world application.
One of the key themes in this book is the importance of understanding the broader business context in which projects exist. Traditional project management focuses heavily on the execution of tasks, timelines, and budgets, but Dolphin argues that the role of a project manager extends far beyond these fundamental responsibilities. In today’s competitive landscape, project managers must be able to drive transformation by understanding the strategic goals of their organization and aligning their projects with those goals. Dolphin emphasizes the importance of value creation, not just project completion. He provides actionable strategies for enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and value, all of which are essential for organizations to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced world.
Another area where Dolphin’s book excels is its focus on change management. For many project managers, dealing with change is one of the most challenging aspects of their role. However, Dolphin argues that managing change is not just a reactive process, but a proactive one. He provides detailed insights into how project managers can anticipate, plan for, and navigate change, ensuring that their projects stay on track and deliver the expected outcomes. By incorporating change management principles into project management, Dolphin helps readers understand how to manage the human side of projects, which is often the most challenging aspect. This is a valuable skill that will set any project manager apart from their peers.
The section on benefits management is equally enlightening. Dolphin explains that project managers must focus not just on delivering outputs, but on ensuring that those outputs translate into tangible benefits for the organization. This requires a shift in mindset from simply delivering a project on time and within budget to focusing on the long-term impact of the project. By managing benefits effectively, project managers can ensure that their projects contribute to the organization’s overall strategy and deliver measurable value. Dolphin’s guidance on this topic is both practical and insightful, making it an essential read for anyone looking to elevate their project management practice.
Lean Six Sigma is another area where Dolphin provides deep insights. This methodology, which focuses on improving quality and efficiency while minimizing waste, has become an integral part of modern project management. In this book, Dolphin explores how project managers can apply Lean Six Sigma principles to optimize processes and improve project outcomes. By incorporating these principles into their projects, managers can not only deliver projects more efficiently but also improve the overall quality of their work. Dolphin offers a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to implement Lean Six Sigma practices in project management, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to streamline their processes.
In addition to these critical management concepts, Dolphin’s book also explores the importance of service and agile delivery. In today’s fast-changing business environment, organizations must be able to adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities. Agile delivery is an essential framework for enabling this flexibility, and Dolphin provides a comprehensive overview of how project managers can adopt and implement agile methodologies in their work. He offers actionable strategies for managing agile projects, including how to prioritize tasks, manage stakeholders, and ensure that teams are empowered to make decisions quickly. This focus on agile delivery makes the book particularly relevant for project managers working in industries where change is constant, such as technology, healthcare, and finance.
What sets Dolphin’s book apart from others in the field of project management is its emphasis on the strategic role of the project manager. While many project management books focus solely on the tactical aspects of project execution, Dolphin encourages readers to think more broadly about the impact of their projects. He stresses the importance of understanding how projects fit into the larger strategic goals of the organization and how project managers can position themselves as leaders within their companies. By offering a comprehensive framework for strategic thinking, Dolphin helps project managers understand how they can add value beyond just completing tasks. This broader perspective is essential for anyone looking to advance in their career and make a real impact on their organization.
The book’s writing style is clear and engaging, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. Dolphin uses real-world examples and case studies to illustrate his points, which helps readers understand how the concepts discussed in the book can be applied in practice. The language is straightforward, and the book is structured in a way that makes it easy to follow, even for those who may be new to some of the advanced topics covered.
In conclusion, What They Still Don’t Teach You in Project Management School Part 2 is an essential resource for anyone looking to take their project management skills to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned project manager looking to expand your expertise or a consultant seeking deeper operational insights, this book offers the knowledge, frameworks, and strategies needed to drive transformational success. Dolphin’s expertise and experience shine through in every chapter, making this book a must-read for anyone serious about mastering the art of project management in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
