Reader feedback and some recent postings
Taken from
Amazon.com and other sources:
Excellent read, March 20, 2004
Reviewer: Al McGuinness from Calgary
AB
I think that Mr. Kozak-Holland's book is perfect for any manager as well as
IT management. Having had my own business I felt when I read this book that
the advice applies not only to IT but can be offered as helpful hints and
warnings to just about business, big or small. I am currently contracted in
IT and often see the same re-occurring problems at all levels. Mr.
Kozak-Holland's book should make us all look at our past downfalls and ensure
we all learn from them. This book works well on many levels's being
entertaining, insightful and a fun read for anyone interested in history.
On-line,
On-time, On-budget......about time!, May 22, 2003
Reviewer: James Chillingworth from Toronto, Canada
I feel that Mr. Kozak-Holland's book is ideal for technical IT managers, and
also for non-technical managers having to be involved with computing
solutions. A great analogy using the Titanic as an example of over-confidence
in building, and running a ship. If you don't plan to avoid "IT
Icebergs", then you will likely hit one....and then what happens?
A great read! James.
This is a
fantastic book - a potential best seller, November 20, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Canada
Mark Kozak Holland has really put things into perspective in this book. I found
it entertaining and insightful. I could not put this book down after I
started reading it. It's a fun read, pragmatic and unique in it's reflection
on the Titanic as a perfect example of lessons learned from the past. As a
CIO, I can really understand the messages and guidance the author is
providing. The tools and guidance on best practices and "questions to
ask today" are great. Well done, I'm looking forward to Kozak-Hollands
follow-on book.
If you
manage technology in a company, you need to read this, November 19, 2002
Reviewer: A reader
Refreshing! Clear! This book is a breakthrough for non-techies who need to
manage technology!!
This book does an excellent job helping CIOs and other 'C' level, P, VP, and
Director executives understand some of the key issues in managing a
technology project. From requirements, to project management, to build, to
testing, to deployment; without a lot of tech-talk, Mark has captured the
issues an executive needs to be aware of to help ensure their technology projects
succeed.
As an architect, I am going to buy this for the executives that rule my life!
It helps both sides of the organization (business, technology) understand
more of each other's issues fostering a more educated communication between
them.
I know this book would be of great value to many of those whom I have
consulted. I am sending a copy to three of them!
Very
interesting angle to explain modern IT online projects, October 31, 2002
Reviewer: Tim Lalonde from Ontario Canada
Being a history buff, I was intrigued with a book that could link a historic
non-IT project with modern so-called new wave online IT projects. I was not
disappointed, it clearly demonstrated the more things change, the more they
become the same. The flow was pragmatic, thorough and easy to follow. The
language was geek free and informs the reader on what they should expect from
their deliverables and why they are needed. More importantly why certain
decisions are made and their overall impact on any project. In the end, the book
clearly demonstrates, through the Titanic reference, that it is rarely a
single decision that creates the failure but a series of smaller seemingly
unrelated decisions that cause us to fail. Failing to plan does cause your
plan to fail. I would recommend this book to any NON-IT person, and any IT
professional who is about undertake a project that does involve Information
Technology.
...
and on target, October 30, 2002
Reviewer: Tony Tolleson (see more about me) from The Colony, TX United
States
The use of historical reminders to present to readers some very practical
lessons is both entertaining and insightful. The author has me looking
forward to his next book in this "Lessons from History" series.
A great value most of us in the IT industry can get from this book is the
large number of practical reminders that (without the proper foundation) it
is too easy to lose focus on the details that count and the result is often a
failed project.
Used properly, this book can help project management and participants
"steer clear" of potential disaster.
... an also "On-the-Mark"., October 29,
2002
Reviewer: Tony Tolleson (see more about me) from The Colony, TX United
States
This book is precisely "On-the-Mark". It is both entertaining and
enlightening. The fresh way of using historical lessons from something like
the Titanic disaster to better understand how to avoid the pitfalls found in
most (not just IT) projects is something that the industry needs a reminder
of on a regular basis.
I look forward with anticipation to the author's next book in the
"Lessons From History" series.
Reviewer:
Al Magnanelli, P.Eng., PMP, Senior Project Manager
I've finished reading
the book, and enjoyed it. Relating project management risks to the real life disaster
of the Titanic is very effective, and especially so when you show that all
the risks on the Titanic could have been avoided or mitigated. Your analogies
are a great reference to relate back to when explaining the project risks to
others and trying to justify courses of action to avoid it.
Reviewer: Richard Blasko, VP & General Manager, Mobile Systems Division
From where I sit, the
themes of the book are even more relevant to wireless than the internet (if
that is possible). Your approach fits perfectly. Our project manager have
been using some of the new language they acquired in presentation for project
planning, and some templates to systematically address complete problems for
system deployments. Our Systems engineers and QA testers have been
particularly vocal about the points you made on testing scenarios simulating
real life prior the "hot patching" live systems. We
bought about 8 books, and following the presentation they all disappeared
from my office. Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to the next one !
Reviewer:
Sandy PM Curriculum Development Program Manager Certified Executive Project
Manager. Mark, I have reviewed your book. I really enjoyed
it. It was very interesting and well written. Since my husband is
a ship captain I could perhaps relate to it more closely than some
others.
Reviewer:
Bill Houston, Canada.
Mark, I have read your book and I do have some feedback. There are
several things I like:
- Your writing style is light
and easy to read; you don't try to impress with jargon. Instead you
explain and de-mystify the terms.
- I really like the addition of
the Internet keywords in each of the Conclusion sections; it should be a
big help to your target audience.
- The Titanic analogy works and
catches people's attention.
Basically,
I liked the book and learned quite a bit from it. Thanks, Bill
