Summary

This is the first book on Titanic in the series. Of the two it is an extended version, has more technical material, and more detail. It is better suited for project managers, architects and educators, who are looking for in depth book, that contains much analysis on the case study, and how it can be carried into today's world. It has been widely used in the Titanic workshop's.

The book presents lessons for project managers harvested from the project that designed, built, and launched the R.M.S. Titanic. It maps to Titanic's project and each chapter explores in depth a particular project phase, determining the sequence of activities and lessons for today's projects. Full of practical advice, this book builds on the most notorious "failed project" in recent memory, the sinking of an "unsinkable" ship. The sinking of Titanic is one of the worst maritime disasters ever.

Paperback: 312 pages

Publisher: Multi-Media Publications Inc.; 2 edition (July 1, 2006)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1895186730

ISBN-13: 978-1895186734

Book Review

 "Mention information systems and the eyes of most business executives glaze over. Information technology is complex, changes constantly, and can be daunting to senior managers who are unaccustomed to working with it. Even when executives find the technology exciting, projects to exploit it are often viewed as best left to the technologists to handle with a weekly status report the only management oversight that is considered necessary or desirable. While project management as a discipline may be dull, managing projects, especially those involving Web services, can be a death-defying feat. And in a world where the Internet is increasingly influential in how a company communicates its capabilities to the world and integrates its operations, systems projects are too important to leave to systems people alone. Only executives who have the business vision of what the system needs to do will have the business knowledge, energy and motivation to see the project through properly. Mark Kozak-Holland has done this group of executives a valuable service by describing the roles and responsibilities that business executives must perform in a successful system project."

"As Kozak-Holland takes the reader through the Titanic's journey, he draws relevant lessons for the business executive responsible for a major systems implementation. The book gives flesh-and-blood reality to the need for honesty and integrity, the importance of creating a sensible project management process, and the general management responsibilities of delivering on-line, on-time, and on-budget systems. Kozak-Holland provides sound advice to business executives and tells a whopping good story to illustrate it and make it memorable."

Mark Nixon Advanced Business Institute

Photos: Courtesy of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum