Around the world, product teams are waking up to the same uncomfortable truth: doing things “the right way” doesn’t matter if your team loses its funding or your company goes out of business.Simply put, product teams can no longer afford to be disconnected from the business impact of their work. And well-trodden “best practices” from Silicon Valley behemoths can only provide so much guidance for teams working across vastly different business and funding models.In Impact-first Product Teams, product leader and consultant Matt LeMay provides clear-eyed and reality-tested guidance for doing the work that matters most to your business. This concise and practical book walks you through the questions and conversation starters that have helped product teams across industries and geographies put impact at the heart of their work – and keep it there. Read more

Beware – Monsters at Work is not your typical management guide—it's gooey, graphic, and downright monstrous. Ever been ambushed by the Yes Yeti or cornered at the coffee machine by an Energy Draining Dracula? Learn how to slay it at work by facing the monsters within and around you. A laugh-out-loud guide to mastering the most monstrous of management challenges.Aimed at leaders, managers, and anyone seeking improvement in their work lives, the book is structured into three sections: monsters lurking within us, those pretending to be our colleagues, and the omnipresent bureaucracy beasts. Delight in meeting the overpowering Yes Yeti or the mischievous Time Trolls. Learn how to fend off the Draining Dracula or the Multitask Medusa and dare to kill the Strategy Chimera or the Project Zombie.By the end, you'll be equipped with a practical manual to help you discover and address your very own professional monsters, turning your work villains into allies and finding ways to subdue even the mightiest beasts of bureaucracy and corporate life. Read more

The ITIL 4 Guide: Service Management Essentials – A Practical Guide to the Four Dimensions, Guiding Principles, and the Service Value System Are you ready to unlock the full potential of ITIL 4 to deliver exceptional service experiences? This comprehensive guide provides you with the fundamental concepts and practical tools to excel in the dynamic world of service management. Key BenefitsUnderstand the Core of ITIL 4: Gain a deep understanding of the Service Value System, Four Dimensions model, Guiding Principles, and how they all work together to drive value creation.Practical Applications: Explore real-world scenarios and learn how to apply the various ITIL 4 practices to address common service management challenges.Achieve Measurable Results: Learn how to define value, track outcomes, and leverage data to drive continuous improvement in your services.Enhance the Customer Experience: Master techniques to build fruitful relationships, understand customer needs, and cultivate a customer-centric culture within your organization.Become an ITIL Champion: Gain the knowledge and skills to lead your organization in adopting a holistic and integrated approach to service excellence. Who This Book Is ForIT Service Management Professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of ITIL 4.Managers and leaders responsible for designing and improving service offerings.Teams aiming to achieve greater collaboration and efficiency across their service functions.Anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of modern service management.About the BookThis guide breaks down the complexities of ITIL 4, providing clear explanations, actionable insights, and best practices tailored for both newcomers and those with foundational ITIL knowledge. Key principles are reinforced with a focus on their practical application within your organization. Start your journey toward service management excellence today. Embrace the power of ITIL 4 with this indispensable guide! Read more

A Step by Step Guide to Agile Project Management, Scrum, and the PSM 1 Scrum Master CertificationAgile Scrum Crash Course is a quick and complete guide on all you need to know to learn the essentials of Agile Project Management and Scrum. It will also help you prepare for the Professional Scrum Master Certification, PSM 1 and pass on your first attempt.Written in simple language with easy to understand examples, it has been especially written for beginners. No matter what your industry background is, you will be able to quickly learn the fundamentals of Agile and Scrum and start using them on your projects.Complete Overview of Agile project management and Scrum Pass the PSM 1, Scrum Master Certification on your first tryLearn Agile Values and the Agile manifestoThe Difference between Waterfall and Agile Project ManagementWhat is a Sprint – A Step by Step WalkthroughLearn the concepts of the Official Scrum Guide in simple languageLearn about Scrum Roles, Scrum Events, and Scrum ArtifactsScrum Roles - Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development TeamScrum Events – Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Retrospective, Sprint ReviewScrum Artifacts – Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, IncrementAnd more – User stories, Story Points, Definition of Done Read more

This book offers organization leaders an easy-to-read resource to better understand the latest version of IT Information Library and how best to leverage its capabilities. Service Management Leadership is the name of Jeffrey's consulting practice and YouTube channel. Read more

‘Kocienda reveals the real secret of Steve Jobs's leadership and Apple's magic’ – Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical CandorA Wall Street Journal bestseller.An inside account of Apple's creative process during the golden years of Steve Jobs.'If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work in a hotbed of innovation, you’ll enjoy this inside view of life at Apple. Ken Kocienda pioneered the iPhone keyboard, and this book gives a play-by-play of their creative process – from generating ideas to doing a demo for Steve Jobs.'Adam Grant, bestselling author of OriginalsHundreds of millions of people use Apple products every day; several thousand work on Apple's campus in Cupertino, California; but only a handful sit at the drawing board. Creative Selection recounts the life of one of the few who worked behind the scenes, a highly-respected software engineer who worked in the final years of the Steve Jobs era, the Golden Age of Apple.Ken Kocienda offers an inside look at Apple’s creative process. For fifteen years, he was on the ground floor of the company as a specialist, directly responsible for experimenting with novel user interface concepts and writing powerful, easy-to-use software for products including the iPhone, the iPad and the Safari web browser. His stories explain the symbiotic relationship between software and product development for those who have never dreamed of programming a computer, and reveal what it was like to work on the cutting edge of technology at one of the world's most admired companies.Kocienda shares moments of struggle and success, crisis and collaboration, illuminating each with lessons learned over his Apple career. He introduces the essential elements of innovation, inspiration, collaboration, craft, diligence, decisiveness, taste, and empathy, and uses these as a lens through which to understand productive work culture.An insider's tale of creativity and innovation at Apple, Creative Selection shows readers how a small group of people developed an evolutionary design model, and how they used this methodology to make groundbreaking and intuitive software which countless millions use every day. Read more

"No one asked you to show up." Every experienced product manager has heard some version of those words at some point in their career. Think about a company. Engineers build the product. Designers make sure it has a great user experience and looks good. Marketing makes sure customers know about the product. Sales get potential customers to open their wallets to buy the product. What more does a company need? What does a product manager do? Based upon Product School’s curriculum, which has helped thousands of students become great product managers, The Product Book answers that question. Filled with practical advice, best practices, and expert tips, this book is here to help you succeed! Product School offers product management classes taught by real-world product managers, working at renowned tech companies like Google, Facebook, Snapchat, Airbnb, LinkedIn, PayPal, Netflix and more. The classes are designed to fit into your work schedule, and the campuses are conveniently located in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Read more

A lot of Engineering Managers and leaders studied for years and years to become the best Engineer they possibly could be... and then they were promoted.It can be very tough for those of us who didn't go into Engineering with the distinct concept that we would become managers, but still want to do our best to support our teams.I wrote this book because there's so much no one told me about management that I wished I would have known. There's a lot to be purposeful about that many of us learn on the job, and worse: learn on people. This book provides some organization for collaborating with networks of people, working together towards a common purpose.There seem to be millions of articles and "how to"s on programming and only a handful of resources on Engineering Management- why? It's very tough to talk about something that involves people processes. People are non-deterministic. Working relationships are nuanced, communication is linked with individual values, motivations, power dynamics, and skills. People also have a range of experiences and emotions that are not consistent day-to-day.Hopefully, in the happiest, most productive sense.It's imperative that we as managers learn as much as we can and work on ourselves, so that our teams may enjoy a healthy working life and strong relationships. It's not just important, it's crucial that we iterate on our own skills as managers so that we can properly support everyone around us: individuals, peers, leadership, and the business.I'm sharing what I've learned- not so that you follow my concepts exactly, but rather so that you can be thoughtful about your own leadership and needs. The book goes from the macro to the micro- with topics ranging everywhere from "feedback" to "scoping down PRs".Though the book is meant to address people in management, individual contributors are welcome to read the book as well- perhaps you need to manage up and need some tools to help guide the conversation, perhaps you just want a peek at other concerns within the business- everyone is invited to the conversation. Read more

Are you drowning in endless emails, buried under data, and constantly chasing deadlines? Imagine a workday where your technology anticipates your needs, freeing you from the mundane to focus on what truly matters. "Microsoft 365 Copilot" isn't just a book, it’s a roadmap to reclaiming your time and amplifying your impact.This guide, crafted by renowned AI expert Savannah Johnson, delves into the practical applications of AI-driven prompts. You’ll discover how to harness the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot, transforming it from a useful tool to an indispensable partner. Think of it as having a personal assistant within your office suite— automating tedious tasks, streamlining your workflow, and boosting your overall productivity. Learn how to master AI prompts across all your favorite applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. You'll discover how to write effective prompts that unlock Copilot's full potential, enabling you to craft emails with unprecedented ease, generate polished documents in minutes, and effortlessly analyze data.No more struggling with complex spreadsheets or time-consuming presentations. This book provides step-by-step instructions and real-world examples to get you going. It’s packed with strategies to help not only individual professionals but also businesses streamline repetitive tasks, enhance collaboration, and increase efficiency. Picture yourself effortlessly managing emails, automating financial reports, and optimizing customer interactions. This isn’t just about making tasks easier; it’s about radically transforming your workday. Imagine having more time to innovate, connect, and lead.The future of work is already here. By learning to leverage AI, you’ll be empowered to stay ahead of the curve, explore the potential of emerging AI trends, and become an indispensable leader in your field. Ready to step into a world where AI empowers your potential? Take the first step, leave the frustration behind, and embrace a future where your potential is limitless. Read more

Business analysis as a discipline is still relatively new. The job description wasn’t in wide use until about twenty years ago and the skills and behaviours expected of a BA have changed markedly over that time. The effective business analyst now has a huge number of tools in the box: problem solving, requirements gathering, business process modelling, data analysis, stakeholder management. The list goes on.But being an exceptional business analyst is about more than just knowledge of industries and techniques. It’s about behaviours. The wise business analyst understands how to apply this knowledge within a project team and with stakeholders to build confidence, gather momentum, aid decision-making and generally steer complex IT projects towards a successful outcome.This book sets out ten behaviours that will complement your existing toolset, whether you’re an experienced business analyst or new to the role. Drawing on the author’s rich career as a business analyst in the financial industry and recalling both positive and developmental experiences, full of practical real-life examples, and illustrated throughout in the form of a consistent case study, it sets out a menu of behaviours that can be employed by business analysts to become truly exceptional. Read more

How many pizzas are delivered in Manhattan? How do you design an alarm clock for the blind? What is your favorite piece of software and why? How would you launch a video rental service in India? This book will teach you how to answer these questions and more. Cracking the PM Interview is a comprehensive book about landing a product management role in a startup or bigger tech company. Learn how the ambiguously-named "PM" (product manager / program manager) role varies across companies, what experience you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great PM resume and cover letter look like, and finally, how to master the PM interview questions (estimation questions, behavioral questions, case questions, product questions, technical questions, and the super important "pitch"). CONTENTS: The Product Manager Role What is a PM? Functions of a PM Top Myths about Product Management Project Managers and Program Managers Companies How the PM Role Varies Google Microsoft Apple Facebook Amazon Yahoo Twitter Startups Getting the Right Experience New Grads Making the Most of Career Fairs Do you need an MBA? Why Technical Experience Matters Transitioning from Engineer to Product Manager Transitioning from Designer to Product Manager Transitioning from Other Roles What Makes a Good Side Project? Career Advancement Tips and Tricks for Career Advancement Q & A: Fernando Delgado, Sr. Director, Product Management at Yahoo Q & A: Ashley Carroll, Senior Director of Product Management, DocuSign Q & A: Brandon Bray, Principal Group Program Manager, Microsoft Q & A: Thomas Arend, International Product Lead, Airbnb Q & A: Johanna Wright, VP at Google Q & A: Lisa Kostova Ogata, VP of Product at Bright.com Behind the Interview Scenes Google Microsoft Facebook Apple Amazon Yahoo Twitter Dropbox Resumes The 15 Second Rule The Rules Attributes of a Good PM Resume What to Include Real Resumes: Before & After Cover Letters Elements of a Good PM Cover Letter The Cover Letter Template A Great Cover Letter Company Research The Product The Strategy The Culture The Role The Questions Define Yourself "Tell Me About Yourself" (The Pitch) "Why do you want to work here?" "Why should we hire you?" "Why are you leaving your current job?" "What do you like to do in your spare time?" "Where do you see yourself in five years?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Sample Strengths and Weaknesses Behavioral Questions Why These Questions Are Asked Preparation Follow-Up Questions Types of Behavioral Questions Estimation Questions Approach Numbers Cheat Sheet Tips and Tricks Example Interview Sample Questions Product Questions About the Product Question Type 1: Designing a Product Type 2: Improving a Product Type 3: Favorite Product Preparation Tips and Tricks Sample Questions Case Questions The Case Question: Consultants vs. PMs What Interviewers Look For Useful Frameworks Product Metrics Interview Questions Coding Questions Who Needs To Code What You Need To Know How You Are Evaluated How To Approach Developing an Algorithm Additional Questions & Solutions Appendix Top 1% PMs vs. Top 10% PMs Be a Great Product Leader The Inputs to a Great Product Roadmap How to Hire a Product Manager Read more

The Provocative and Practical Guide to Coaching Agile Teams As an agile coach, you can help project teams become outstanding at agile, creating products that make them proud and helping organizations reap the powerful benefits of teams that deliver both innovation and excellence. More and more frequently, ScrumMasters and project managers are being asked to coach agile teams. But it’s a challenging role. It requires new skills—as well as a subtle understanding of when to step in and when to step back. Migrating from “command and control” to agile coaching requires a whole new mind-set. In Coaching Agile Teams, Lyssa Adkins gives agile coaches the insights they need to adopt this new mind-set and to guide teams to extraordinary performance in a re-energized work environment. You’ll gain a deep view into the role of the agile coach, discover what works and what doesn’t, and learn how to adapt powerful skills from many allied disciplines, including the fields of professional coaching and mentoring. Coverage includesUnderstanding what it takes to be a great agile coachMastering all of the agile coach’s roles: teacher, mentor, problem solver, conflict navigator, and performance coachCreating an environment where self-organized, high-performance teams can emergeCoaching teams past cooperation and into full collaboration Evolving your leadership style as your team grows and changesStaying actively engaged without dominating your team and stunting its growthRecognizing failure, recovery, and success modes in your coachingGetting the most out of your own personal agile coaching journeyWhether you’re an agile coach, leader, trainer, mentor, facilitator, ScrumMaster, project manager, product owner, or team member, this book will help you become skilled at helping others become truly great. What could possibly be more rewarding? Read more

People often debate whether Agile and Lean are the same or different. This book is written to introduce you to the core values and principles of both Agile and Lean methodologies and will hopefully answer some of the common questions such as: - What is Agile? - What is Lean? - Which is better? Agile or Lean? - What are the 12 Agile Principles? - What is the Agile Manifesto? - How many Agile frameworks are there? - What is Scrum? - What is the difference between Agile and Scrum? - Which methodologies are used to scale Agile to large teams or to the enterprise? - What is Kanban? - Is Kanban Lean or Agile? - What is the Toyota Production System? - What are the different versions of the Toyota House of Lean? - What are the principles of Lean? - How are Lean and Agile different? - How is Lean the same as Agile? Anyone who is interested in being Agile or who wants to adopt lean thinking would benefit from this book. Grab your copy today. Learn Agile and Lean methodologies to deliver better business value. This is Book #1 in the series titled 'The Basics Of Customer-First Product Management'. Other books include: - The Basics Of SCRUM (Book #2) - The Basics Of Kanban (Book #3) Read more

A human-centric guide to solving complex problems in engineering management, from sizing teams to handling technical debt.There’s a saying that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. Management is a key part of any organization, yet the discipline is often self-taught and unstructured. Getting to the good solutions for complex management challenges can make the difference between fulfillment and frustration for teams—and, ultimately, between the success and failure of companies.Will Larson’s An Elegant Puzzle focuses on the particular challenges of engineering management—from sizing teams to handling technical debt to performing succession planning—and provides a path to the good solutions. Drawing from his experience at Digg, Uber, and Stripe, Larson has developed a thoughtful approach to engineering management for leaders of all levels at companies of all sizes. An Elegant Puzzle balances structured principles and human-centric thinking to help any leader create more effective and rewarding organizations for engineers to thrive in. Read more

Prepare to take your social media marketing to the next level with "Social Media Marketing 2024."This book edition is your definitive guide to the ever-evolving landscape of social media marketing in the year 2024 and beyond. With social media platforms constantly changing and user behaviors evolving, this book is your compass to navigate the complex terrain of online engagement. It offers valuable insights into emerging trends, innovative strategies, and the latest tools that will define the social media marketing landscape in 2024.Inside, you'll discover:In-depth analyses of the newest platforms and technologies shaping the digital sphere.Proven methods for creating captivating content that resonates with your target audience.Strategies for leveraging data analytics to make informed marketing decisions and optimize your campaigns.Expert insights into the transformative power of influencer marketing, AI-driven automation, and video marketing.With practical tips, real-world case studies, and actionable advice, "Social Media Marketing 2024" is an indispensable resource for marketers, business owners, and digital enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey, this book will equip you to create winning strategies and thrive in the dynamic world of social media marketing. Embrace the future of marketing with confidence and success. Are you interested? If you replied affirmatively, CLICK ON THE BUY BUTTON IMMEDIATELY! Read more

Building on their breakthrough bestsellers Lean Software Development and Implementing Lean Software Development, Mary and Tom Poppendieck’s latest book shows software leaders and team members exactly how to drive high-value change throughout a software organization—and make it stick. They go far beyond generic implementation guidelines, demonstrating exactly how to make lean work in real projects, environments, and companies.The Poppendiecks organize this book around the crucial concept of frames, the unspoken mental constructs that shape our perspectives and control our behavior in ways we rarely notice. For software leaders and team members, some frames lead to long-term failure, while others offer a strong foundation for success. Drawing on decades of experience, the authors present twenty-four frames that offer a coherent, complete framework for leading lean software development. You’ll discover powerful new ways to act as competency leader, product champion, improvement mentor, front-line leader, and even visionary.Systems thinking: focusing on customers, bringing predictability to demand, and revamping policies that cause inefficiencyTechnical excellence: implementing low-dependency architectures, TDD, and evolutionary development processes, and promoting deeper developer expertiseReliable delivery: managing your biggest risks more effectively, and optimizing both workflow and schedulesRelentless improvement: seeing problems, solving problems, sharing the knowledgeGreat people: finding and growing professionals with purpose, passion, persistence, and prideAligned leaders: getting your entire leadership team on the same pageFrom the world’s number one experts in Lean software development, Leading Lean Software Development will be indispensable to everyone who wants to transform the promise of lean into reality—in enterprise IT and software companies alike. Read more

Few books on software project management have been as influential and timeless as The Mythical Man-Month. With a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions, Fred Brooks offers insight for anyone managing complex projects. These essays draw from his experience as project manager for the IBM System/360 computer family and then for OS/360, its massive software system. Now, 20 years after the initial publication of his book, Brooks has revisited his original ideas and added new thoughts and advice, both for readers already familiar with his work and for readers discovering it for the first time. The added chapters contain (1) a crisp condensation of all the propositions asserted in the original book, including Brooks' central argument in The Mythical Man-Month: that large programming projects suffer management problems different from small ones due to the division of labor; that the conceptual integrity of the product is therefore critical; and that it is difficult but possible to achieve this unity; (2) Brooks' view of these propositions a generation later; (3) a reprint of his classic 1986 paper "No Silver Bullet"; and (4) today's thoughts on the 1986 assertion, "There will be no silver bullet within ten years." Read more

There are no easy decisions in software architecture. Instead, there are many hard parts--difficult problems or issues with no best practices--that force you to choose among various compromises. With this book, you'll learn how to think critically about the trade-offs involved with distributed architectures.Architecture veterans and practicing consultants Neal Ford, Mark Richards, Pramod Sadalage, and Zhamak Dehghani discuss strategies for choosing an appropriate architecture. By interweaving a story about a fictional group of technology professionals--the Sysops Squad--they examine everything from how to determine service granularity, manage workflows and orchestration, manage and decouple contracts, and manage distributed transactions to how to optimize operational characteristics, such as scalability, elasticity, and performance.By focusing on commonly asked questions, this book provides techniques to help you discover and weigh the trade-offs as you confront the issues you face as an architect.Analyze trade-offs and effectively document your decisionsMake better decisions regarding service granularityUnderstand the complexities of breaking apart monolithic applicationsManage and decouple contracts between servicesHandle data in a highly distributed architectureLearn patterns to manage workflow and transactions when breaking apart applications Read more

Unlock the potential of AI with "Unlocking Amazon Q: A Beginner's Guide to Generative AI Solutions." This comprehensive guide is designed for those looking to harness the power of Amazon Q, a generative AI-powered assistant that simplifies data interaction and enhances productivity. In this easy-to-follow tutorial, you’ll discover: Getting Started: Step-by-step instructions on setting up your AWS account and accessing Amazon Q.Core Features: An overview of the assistant’s capabilities, including its conversational interface, data integration, and customization options.Practical Applications: Real-world use cases that demonstrate how to leverage Amazon Q for customer support, data analysis, and content generation.Best Practices: Tips for crafting effective queries and optimizing your experience with the assistant.Resources: Access to helpful documentation and community support for continued learning.Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this book provides the knowledge and tools you need to effectively use Amazon Q in your projects. Dive in and start transforming the way you interact with data today! Read more

Begin your social media journey with 'Social Media Marketing for Beginners 2024', a comprehensive guide designed for those entering the dynamic world of online promotion.This easy-to-read paperback covers a range of essential topics to equip beginners with the knowledge and tools needed for success.Inside, you'll discover:Understanding Social Media: Ensure a solid foundation by unraveling the basics, including platforms and terminologies.Setting Up Your Social Media Presence: Step-by-step guidance on creating and optimizing profiles for maximum impact.Developing a Social Media Strategy: Learn how to create a customized plan that aligns with your objectives and is tailored to your intended audience.Development of Content: Explore content creation techniques that resonate with your audience and drive engagement.Social Media Advertising: Understand the fundamentals of paid promotion to expand your reach.Analytics and Measurement: Grasp the art of analyzing data to gauge your performance and refine strategies.Social Media Tools and Resources: Discover essential tools that simplify management and enhance efficiency.Challenges and Solutions: Tackle common hurdles with practical solutions to keep your strategy on track.Future Trends in Social Media Marketing: Gain insights into emerging trends, preparing you for the future landscape.In 'Social Media Marketing for Beginners 2024', you will gain the skills needed to confidently navigate the social media landscape and establish a successful online presence. This book will help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital realm and increase your brand's reach. Are you interested? If you replied yes, CLICK ON THE BUY BUTTON IMMEDIATELY! Read more