If you search for the best project management books, you will find hundreds of lists—but very few created by someone who actually teaches, practices, and writes about project management.
I am an MBA Project Management Professor, author of seven books on project management, and I spend a huge amount of time reading, researching, and selecting the most valuable references for my classes, certifications, and consulting work.
To help you choose the right books, I organized this guide using project management expertise categories. All titles listed below are books that I personally own, use, and recommend—with links so you can easily buy them on Amazon.
At the end of this article, you will also find more information about my own books and my work as a professor and author.
Best Project Management Books (General)
These are essential references for any project manager, regardless of industry or experience level.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)–Eighth Editionby Project Management Institute The most important reference for every project manager. The PMBOK consolidates global best practices and is continuously reviewed and improved by practitioners around the world. |
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Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling 12th Editionby Harold Kerzner If you are looking for the “bible” of project management, this is the book. |
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Best PMP Exam Preparation Books
These books are ideal if your goal is to pass the PMP exam with confidence.
PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide 10th Editionby Kim Heldman |
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PMP Exam: Quick Reference Guide (Test Prep series) Seventh editionby Andy Crowe A fantastic 8-page quick reference covering the most important PMP exam concepts. |
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Best Business & Applied Project Management Books
These titles help you apply project management in real organizational environments.
The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy-to-Read Handbook for Beginners and Pros (Fast Forward MBA Series)by Eric Verzuh A clear, practical, and easy-to-read handbook. |
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World Class Contracting 6th Editionby Gregory A. Garrett An excellent reference on contract management, and one of the sources I used while writing my own procurement management book. |
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Hierarchy of Needs: A Theory of Human Motivationby Abraham H. Maslow A foundational work for anyone who wants to understand motivation—critical for stakeholder engagement, leadership, and team management. |
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Best Agile Project Management Books
Agile Practice Guideby PMI & Agile Alliance A must-read for project managers transitioning to Agile environments. It bridges PMI’s disciplined approach with Agile principles. |
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Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products (2nd Edition)by Jim Highsmith Highsmith is one of the founders of the Agile movement. This book is essential for understanding Agile at a strategic and organizational level. |
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Best Scrum Books
Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Timeby Jeff Sutherland Written by one of Scrum’s creators. A practical and impactful book on productivity, teamwork, and modern delivery. |
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Scrum Guide (Latest Edition)by Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland The official Scrum framework. Short, objective, but essential for anyone working with Scrum teams. |
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Best Leadership Books for Project Managers
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen R. Covey One of the most influential leadership books ever written. Essential reading for project leaders. |
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Dare to Leadby Brené Brown A powerful guide on courage, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence—skills that every modern project manager needs. |
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Leaders Eat Lastby Simon Sinek A fantastic book on team culture, trust, and servant leadership—perfect for Agile and Scrum environments. |
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Final Thoughts: Choose the Best Project Management Book for Your Career
There is no universal “best” project management book—there are the best books for your specific goal: certification, leadership, Agile, planning, or organizational performance.
This list reflects the books I personally use as a professor, author, and practitioner.
If you want to grow as a project manager, these references will accelerate your learning and expand your capabilities.
📣 Your Turn: Help Expand This List!
👉 Leave a comment below and tell me:
- Which project management book from this list is your favorite?
- Is there any great book you recommend that I should include?
Your suggestions will help make this guide even better for future readers.
