Breandán’s got a book out – win a copy!

It’s January, and the time many of us resolve to work more, play more or relax more than ever before and generally be better, nicer, healthier people. That can seem like a big task, a huge one in fact. So much so that it’s easy to fall at the first hurdle, overwhelmed by the scale of what you have undertaken to achieve. This is not unlike the sinking sensation you might have at the start of a new piece of work or project. If you recognise that feeling, then a new book from Europeana’s Programme Manager, Breandán Knowlton, might be just what you need to get revitalised and focused.

Breandán Knowlton, Europeana Programme Manager and author of 'A practical guide to managing web projects'

A practical guide to managing web projects is for people who make or commission websites, as well as those who are hoping to start or grow a web design agency or department, or are working on a project with a significant web component. The book demonstrates good project management skills in just five simple steps, which means you don't have to crumble under that great weight of ambition. Follow Breandán's advice and before you know it, you and your team will have made something you can all be proud of, on deadline and on budget.

As Breandán tells us in the introduction to the book, 'Many people think of project management as an annoying overhead cost. And while time spent managing is not time spent designing, coding or deploying websites, it is not time wasted either. Good project management is all about making sure that you and your team have a better time doing something that you love.' His analogy to sport makes perfect sense: 'If you are a football player, your coach is not an annoying overhead to the discipline of playing football. The coach helps you train, strategise and execute winning plays. Itʼs the same with a good project manager.'

I'm delighted to say we have two copies of A practical guide to managing web projects to give away. To win one, all you have to do is email beth.daley@bl.uk, telling us in less than 200 words how you think the web is changing cultural heritage. We'll pick our top two answers and if yours is one of them, we'll send you a copy of the book. We'll also publish the best entries in a future blog.

Closing date for entries: 18th January 2013.

To find out more about Breandán's book, go to Five Simple Steps.