Napoleon Bonaparte PPM?

I have been asked by some of my students to suggest or review books on project management. The book Napoleon on Project Management by Jerry Manas was suggested by a former student. Through a historical review of Napoleons life, war and administration, as well as his writings, Manas draws a portrait of Napoleon as a master project manager (as well as a leader). Napoleon Bonaparte PPM?

Because I love history (mostly the local history of where I am living at the time) I picked up a copy. Unlike Leadership secrets of Attila the Hun, another of my favorites, Manas’ book relies on quotations and writings (ascribed to Napoleon).

Napoleon’s Six Winning Principles as recounted by Manas.
 

Exactitude
Speed
Flexibility
Simplicity
Character
Moral Force

Napoleon once said “In war, everything is perception-perception about the enemy, perception about one’s own solders”. Manas points out that perception is more than seeing, it the processing of what we are seeing into a rational world (or project) view.

Dr. Rogers has eight rules for Project Management and if you look carefully you can see the overlaps. Remember my motto is: Indolese rapio. (genius steals)

Exactitude: Being prepared and using facts and past experiences to guide you.
Rule 1 If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it.
Rule 2 Failure to Plan is a Plan for Failure.
Rule 5 Project Communication is a two way process not a one way street.

Rule 7 When all else fails read the directions.

Speed: Projects fail when schedules are either not built with consensus (military can give orders) and followed up on. Things go wrong on projects when the attitude of the leaders is lackadaisical or unconcerned.

Rule 3 Focus on product over process.

Flexibility: Having teams that are adaptable, empowered and unified.

Rule 5 Project Communication is a two way process not a one way street.

Rule 6. If it hasn’t been doen before that’s reason enough to try it.

Simplicity: Projects with clear simple objectives succeed.

Rule 3 Focus on Product over process.

Character: Means integrity, calmness and responsibility.

Rules 1-8. If you have your own consistent set of rules that guide your actions you will be seen to have integrity, you will be calm because you know what to do and you will always take responsibility for yourself and others.

Moral Force: Providing order, purpose, recognition and rewards.

Rule 1 If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it.
Rule 5 Project Communication is a two way process not a one way street.

Rule 8 Have Fun

I recommend this book because:

It’s a fun read for those who like historical work. It’s an easy read, not too complicated and It outlines another famous persons consistent rules, supporting my contention that each of us should write down our own hard learned rules for work and for life.