As more businesses organize daily work around projects, project management skills are increasingly valuable. Real-world experience is key, but top-rated project management books can help you build a strong foundation – especially early in your career.
For this article, we’ve gathered the best project management books to read in 2025 across nine categories. You’ll also get tips for becoming a more efficient reader and absorbing more expert project management knowledge.
Project management books: key takeaways
Books are a great resource for diving into the tools and processes of project management.
This list introduces top picks for different experience levels and industries, from general guides to the best IT project management books.
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1. For reference and certification
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)
About the author: A collective rather than one expert, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a US-based non-profit that develops standards, conducts research and offers certifications for the project management industry.
Read this book if: You’re an experienced project manager working toward PMI’s globally recognized PMP Certification.
The PMBOK Guide is more of a reference than a cover-to-cover read, but its value as a trusted resource is clear, and many consider it the profession’s most definitive resource..
The book is designed to be a hub of industry best practices and is a must-read for anyone doing exam prep for PMI’s 180-question certification exam. It’s a comprehensive reference, drawing on decades of tested project management knowledge.
Key takeaways:
- There are five process groups involved in project management: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling and closing.
- Many of project management’s key themes overlap with general business and team leadership. These include budgeting, financial forecasting, staffing, organizational behavior and management science.
- A work breakdown structure (WBS)divides a project into smaller, manageable parts so your team can stay focused on key tasks.
Buy the book here: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)
2. For a solid introduction to project management
Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide
About the author: Gregory M. Horine is an experienced IT project management professional who’s spent more than 30 years honing and applying his skills in various industries.
Read this book if: You’ve never led a project before and want to learn the principles of project management.
As the title implies, Greg Horine wrote Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide for newcomers to the field. It explains all the foundational aspects of project management, from budgeting and task scheduling to managing stakeholder expectations and learning from experience.
The book’s accessibility makes it particularly useful for managers who dabble in project work but don’t need full certification.
Key takeaways:
- Clearly defining your project’s scope is the first major step toward its success.
- Effective team leaders need a solid grasp of project management basics (all covered in this book) along with strong communication, business management and leadership skills.
- Project managers can avoid common and costly mistakes by gaining agreement and buy-in from key stakeholders on project goals and success criteria.
Buy the book here: Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide
3. For field-tested strategies
Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management
About the author: Scott Berkun’s background in software development, design and creative thinking provides a unique perspective on project management’s key concepts. His experience at Microsoft gives his advice a practical edge, grounded in large-scale project work.
Read this book if: You want to learn how one of the world’s biggest companies manages complex projects.
Making Things Happen is a step up from the field’s introductory guides. Although it does explain some of the fundamentals in an easy-to-grasp way, the book’s main appeal lies in its witty and insightful advice.
It’s a practical guide that provides tips on managing teams to ensure work gets done. It also addresses overcoming classic project challenges.
Key takeaways:
- Project planning at any level can be broken down into two questions: “What do we need to do?” (requirements gathering) and “How will we do it?” (designing or specifying).
- While effective project management is largely about structure and workflows, project managers still need to think creatively to generate valuable ideas and solve problems.
- Scheduling in project management serves three purposes: 1. making commitments to deliver, 2. encouraging individual team members to see their efforts as part of a whole and 3. breaking work into manageable chunks.
Buy the book here: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management
4. For mastering the Scrum framework
Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
About the author: Jeff Sutherland is one of the co-creators of the Scrum project management framework, along with Ken Schwaber. Co-author J.J. Sutherland, his son, is a former NPR correspondent and is currently the CEO of Scrum Inc.
Read this book if: You manage a Scrum team and want to learn first-hand from one of project management’s bona fide innovators.
Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time explains Scrum through stories and real-world examples.
The book updates the approach to the framework and Scrum meetings’ rapid productivity to fit today’s workplace. It offers practical advice in a friendly, accessible way that makes complex ideas easier to apply.
Key takeaways:
- The author believes that Scrum can “revolutionize how business works in virtually every industry” and that working in sprints increases momentum and keeps everyone involved accountable.
- Autonomy is a common characteristic of successful project teams. The most effective groups are self-organizing, self-managing and able to make their own decisions about how they do their jobs.
- There’s often a disparity between how people think they work and how they actually work. Scrum is built around the actual characteristics of project teams at some of the most successful companies around the world.
Buy the book here: Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
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5. For IT / agile project management
Doing Agile Right: Transformation Without Chaos
About the authors: Darrell Rigby, Sarah Elk and Steve Berez are partners at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm that advises public, private and non-profit organizations.
Read this book if: You’re a more experienced project manager looking for a deep dive into implementing agile project management correctly.
Agile has the power to transform your work, but only if it’s implemented in the right way. With Doing Agile Right, Rigby, Elk and Berez offer insights into reliably and efficiently boosting innovation.
The authors also share how using the framework incorrectly can be counterproductive (there’s a particularly insightful chapter titled “Doing Agile Wrong”).
This agile project management book advises you not only on how, but also when and when not to apply agile, helping you become a more versatile and confident project manager in IT – or any industry.
Key takeaways:
- Agile is not a quick fix, especially for larger businesses. Big organizations with deeply established processes should integrate it more thoughtfully.
- The authors write: “When used properly, in appropriate situations, [agile methods] trade potentially disastrous problems for small preferable problems.”
- Agile is about overcoming the bureaucracy that hinders more rigid project management strategies, and freeing talented people to enjoy (and excel at) their work.
Buy the book here: Doing Agile Right: Transformation Without Chaos
6. For construction project management
Construction Project Management: A Complete Introduction
About the author: Alison Dykstra is a former architect and college-level instructor, and is an active advocate of sustainable design.
Read this book if: You’re looking for a practical, easy-to-understand approach to construction management.
The book breaks down the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to completion. Its structure clearly illustrates a project’s flow and the critical tasks involved in each stage.
It earns its place as one of the best construction project management books because it covers industry-specific background information as it teaches.
For instance, the author discusses different types of construction projects and their inherent risks, the contributing roles involved in any project and the ins and outs of bidding and cost estimates.
Dykstra demonstrates concepts using practical examples and real-world scenarios. These case studies help readers apply theoretical knowledge to complex construction site realities.
Key Takeaways
- Successful project management requires a holistic approach, encompassing topics such as risk management, contract administration and quality control.
- Although planning is key, a project manager needs to be flexible and ready to tackle unexpected issues as they arise.
- Clear, consistent communication among stakeholders is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings, delays and cost overruns.
Buy the book here: Construction Project Management: A Complete Introduction
7. For improved productivity
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
About the author: Productivity expert David Allen developed his Getting Things Done® methodology during his decades-long career researching and coaching Top 100 organizations on stress and time management.
Read this book if: You want to improve project delivery times and reduce stress and burnout.
While not strictly a project management book, Getting Things Done (or GTD) offers practical advice for managers who want to build a reliable system for offloading less critical tasks and focusing on the right priorities.
Following the book’s structured framework will help you boost time management, reduce mental clutter, establish priorities and increase focus and efficiency.
GTD also addresses other aspects of a project manager’s work, including goal setting, long-term planning and strategic decision-making.
Key takeaways:
- To become more productive, you need to stop keeping track of everything in your own head. Instead, create a trusted external system that lets you offload distracting tasks.
- Unresolved or incomplete tasks, called “open loops” in the book, create mental clutter that distracts from the task at hand. Five simple steps can make it easy to close those loops and remove feelings of stress and guilt that can hurt productivity.
- Learn to reassess goals and targets as circumstances change to reduce confusion and burnout and to feel confident about where you focus your energy.
Buy the book here: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Note: For more insights into boosting productivity without demanding more time or energy, check out The Lazy Project Manager: How to be Twice as Productive and Still Leave the Office Early by Peter Taylor.
8. For a different approach to learning
Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
About the author: Software engineer Tom DeMarco has been running and working on projects for science and technology firms since the 1960s and won the prestigious Stevens Award in 1999.
Read this book if: You enjoy fiction more than non-fiction books, but still want to learn the basics of project management.
DeMarco uses a novel format, with character-written journal entries, to explore issues familiar to leaders in all fields, including team member motivation and productivity.
While some of its concepts have grown a little outdated (it focuses on the waterfall methodology), the book’s unique approach to explaining project management basics makes it a more relatable and easier cover-to-cover read than many others on the topic.
Key takeaways:
- No project management framework is flawless. If you use one incorrectly, you risk causing more harm than good.
- Treat a focused, motivated team as one of your first project deliverables.
- Overworking staff is counterproductive. No matter how serious the threat is, a team member can’t complete their work properly if you don’t allocate them enough time.
Buy the book here: Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
Note: Interested in more novel-style approaches to project management? Check out Critical Chain by Eliyahu Goldratt or The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr and George Spafford.
9. For a team leader
Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager
About the authors: Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore and James Wood are leadership experts at the US-based professional coaching firm FranklinCovey.
Read this book if: Your work is becoming increasingly project-driven, but you don’t have any formal project management training or experience.
According to a Wellingtone survey, more than half of all professional projects are run by people without formal project training or experience. This book introduces non-project managers to the five main stages of the project management process: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing.
The seven chapters cover topics such as the transition toward project-based work, defining project milestones and tracking progress.
The book offers relatable real-world examples along with some actionable takeaways to help you apply your new knowledge on the job.
Key takeaways:
- On risk management, the authors write: “Communication is 90% of a project’s success. By documenting the top risks and the plan to offset them, everyone on your team can row in the same direction.”
- Your project schedule tells you whether you’re on track, so it should be visible, constantly updated and open to every team member.
- A project management consultant can inject valuable experience and insight into your project planning process. If you run projects regularly, it could be worth your investment.
Buy the book here: Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager
How to read more project management books in 2025: 5 quick tips
Combine all the recommended project management books in our list and you’ll have almost 3,000 pages to get through. That’s a lot to fit around other commitments and self-development work.
For those who aren’t particularly confident or enthusiastic readers but are still keen to get better at managing projects, here are five simple tips to help you read more this year.
1. Always have a book nearby
Not every reading session has to be hours long. By keeping books around your desk, in your bag and on your nightstand, you can capitalize on any unexpected opportunities to read, however short they are.
2. Use a format that works for you
Use formats that fit your lifestyle (e.g., Amazon’s Audible and Kindle platforms). E-books let you carry titles on any device, while audiobooks turn commutes or workouts into learning time.
3. Swap less important activities for reading.
Take a look at all the things you usually do and think about which ones bring the least value to your life. Use that time to read and develop yourself instead.
Recent research shows the average consumer spends 3.5 hours streaming TV and 2.8 hours scrolling on social media.. Many will find there’s room to cut down.
4. Make reading a social activity
There are likely others in your organization who are keen to gain new skills. Encourage them to join you in reading some top project management books so you can compare notes at regular sessions.
Group reading also gives you an incentive to keep progressing, as you’ll all need to be at the same stage for every discussion.
5. Read in sprints
Finally, in the spirit of agile project management, try reading in 20- or 30-minute sprints, even if you have more time available.
Time-blocking your reading \can help you forget potential distractions and focus on really digesting the text in front of you. At the end of every sprint, take a few minutes to reflect on what you’ve just learned and note the main points.
Final thoughts
Reading is a flexible, inexpensive and convenient way to hone the technical and soft skills required to be a successful project manager.
All of the titles above have impressive credentials and plenty of positive feedback. The personal value of each comes down to where you are in your project management journey and what you want to achieve.
Explore these titles, sample a few online and build a reading list that fits your goals for the year ahead.
Continue to improve your project management skills with the right tools. Pipedrive’s CRM for project management can help you manage project data in one place, automate tasks and align team goals and efforts. Try it today with a free 14-day trial.
