Off the Beaten Path: A Project Management Field Guide

Though project managers serve as leaders of change, the fact is that we are not changing ourselves. Over the last twenty years, the total percentage of failed business projects has not decreased. It is time for a fresh perspective on the profession of project management—a perspective that questions everything—so that we can continue turning fledgling projects into full-blown successes.

This new angle focuses on the art rather than the science of project management, presenting instructive stories and critiques rather than dry theory and process. With his characteristic humor, author and longtime project manager Nicholas James Errico defines the task of project management as predicting the future and increasing the likelihood of project success. He explains that a good project manager will turn projects into graceful swans—on the outside, the project should glide along smoothly even while under the water, feet are paddling like crazy. Errico’s keen observations and advice cover both broad topics (such as comprehending the contract) and fine details (such as the importance of the team buying into the plan).

As project managers, it’s crucial that we widen our perspectives and challenge our preconceived notions in order to achieve flawless project success.

Nicholas James Errico is an experienced project manager who eventually switched over to a services sales role. Errico is a speaker as well as an author, and both his book and talks feature a practical "in the field" approach to discussing services delivery, sales, management, strategy, and reward systems. He sits on the Iona College Project Management Advisory Board.

Errico has been an active member of the Project Management Institute for the last twenty years. He has spoken at various PMI symposiums, and he was the opening keynoter at the 2016 PMI Silicon Valley Chapter Symposium. He has also keynoted at various American Society for Quality events and numerous business-development conferences.

Originally from New York, Errico currently lives in the Dallas area with his wife and three children. Off the Beaten Path is part of the Real Life Professional Services series.