Project Psychology

Sharon De Mascia is a Chartered Business Psychologist and a HR/HRD professional. She has extensive project management experience and is Prince2 qualified as well as being an experienced coach. Sharon has 20 years experience of delivering change management and other organisational initiatives across both public and private sectors. In the past she has worked with: Dorset Training and Enterprise Council, the NHS, Tyneside Training and Enterprise Council, The Employment Service, The Highways Agency, The Co operative Insurance Society, The Vita Group, and Mendas. Sharon is an assessor for the British Psychological Society and the Health Professions Council, and an examiner for the International Baccalaureate in Psychology. She is also the Director of 'Cognoscenti', a business psychology consultancy. www.cognoscenti.uk.com.

• Reviews for Project Psychology; Introduction; Chapter 1 The Project Team: Skills and Attitudes; Chapter 2 What Sort of Leader Should a Project Manager Be?; Chapter 3 Building the Project Team and its Culture; Chapter 4 Coaching the Project Team; Chapter 5 Engaging Stakeholders; Chapter 6 The People Side of Communication; Chapter 7 Managing Risk in Projects; Chapter 8 Managing Conflict in Projects; Chapter 9 Project Management and Change Management; Chapter 10 Using Your Project Board; Chapter 11 Do Organisations Learn From Failed Projects?; Chapter 12 Project Wind-Down; Summary;

'This book delivers in detail what its title promises. It looks at all stages and process involved in project management and introduces methods and tools from Psychology (particularly Work and Occupational Psychology) that will aid success at each stage. It does not preach or condescend but allows the reader an opportunity to consider a range of approaches to people skills and people management which will allow the content of any project to be managed and led effectively . The content is very accessible and each stage is self contained in an individual chapter. Tools and methods are introduced and reflective questions and useful illustrative tables guide the reader towards useful practice and a good understanding of what they can achieve by adopting the various approaches and specific tools. It is jargon free and is an excellent guide to the use of psychology in a practical setting by a non psychologist. It is a consultant in a book.' Dr P A Lindley, Chartered Psychologist and Registered Occupational Psychologist 'The principal factors in project success (and failure) are to do with people. Sharon De Mascia's book is a highly accomplished and relevant guide to getting the best out of people in projects. It deserves a place on the desk of anyone involved in a project -- be they a sponsor, stakeholder, customer or project manager.' Eric Woodcock, CEng FRSA ’This book addresses a gap in the Project Management literature - how people and their behaviours contribute to project failure, and shows the reader how psychology can improve the chances of project success....I would not have thought of buying this book, but am glad I have read it. It gave me several "A ha!" moments (of understanding), which I am sure others would have, too. It offers a good balance between psychological theory, and practical techniques to improve project results. Project Psychology is recommended for all project managers seeking to improve their people skills.’ Reviewed by Ken Burrell PM