Books

The Open Toolbox of Techniques (Open Series)
by Brian Henderson-Sellers, Anthony Simons, Houman Younessi
Addison-Wesley Pub Co; ISBN: 0201331349
This book is a compendium of common tools and techniques commonly employed by consultants. It covers everything from analytical hierarchical programming to Zachman frameworks. There is an overview of each tool or technique, and a ranking of the tool or technique from 1 to 5 for usefulness.

The Thinker's Toolkit : Fourteen Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving
by Morgan D. Jones
Times Books; ISBN: 0812928083
The fourteen techniques set forth in this book range from simple brainstorming methods, to advanced methods such as weighted ranking, probability and decision trees, and utility matrices. This book provides techniques that will prove useful in almost all consulting engagements. It is especially important for consultants who are expected to demonstrate, in quantifiable terms, how we arrive at findings and recommendations.

The tools and techniques provided in the above two books can be augmented by additional reading. In particular, The Information System Consultant's Handbook : Systems Analysis and Design by William S. Davis, David C. Yen (CRC Pr; ISBN: 0849370019), and Quality Improvement Tools and Techniques by Peters Mears (McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0070412197)provide a thorough treatment of techniques ranging from cost-benefit analysis to statistical methods.

Visualizing Project Management
by Kevin Forsberg, Hal Mooz (Contributor), Howard Cotterman
John Wiley & Sons; ISBN: 0471577790
As a consultant you will work in a project environment. This book provides excellent information on how to plan, schedule and control projects. The information is consistent with the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).

Process Patterns : Building Large-Scale Systems Using Object Technology
Cambridge Univ Pr (Short); ISBN: 0521645689

More Process Patterns : Delivering Large-Scale Systems Using Object Technology
Cambridge Univ Pr (Short); ISBN: 0521652626
Both by Scott W. Ambler
These two books provide a comprehensive view and templates for managing the full life cycle of systems, from concept to retirement. The information contained in this set is invaluable, and sets forth best practices in all life cycle management key process areas.

Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Businesses : Winning Government, Private Sector, and International Contracts (The Artech House Technology Management Series), 2nd Ed.
by Robert S. Frey
Artech House; ISBN: 158053001X
(Thanks to Carol Fritz, redmare@binary.net, for pointing out that the 2nd edition is out and has a different ISBN # and cover. More about Carol
Not only is this book one of the best works on proposal development, which is a core consulting skill, but also an excellent refresher on writing clearly and concisely.

Art of Readable Writing
by Rudolf Flesch
Macmillan General Reference; ISBN: 0020464703
This book is over fifty years old and still continues to be one of the best treatments of readable writing. Every consultant should read this seminal work.

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Also worth considering:

IT Automation: The Quest for Lights Out

Practical CM: Best Configuration Management Practices (With CD-ROM)

Making E-Business Work: A Guide to Software Testing in the Internet Age

		The Open Toolbox of Techniques (Open Series) by Brian Henderson-Sellers, Anthony Simons, Houman Younessi Addison-Wesley Pub Co; ISBN: 0201331349 This book is a compendium of common tools and techniques commonly employed by consultants. It covers everything from analytical hierarchical programming to Zachman frameworks. There is an overview of each tool or technique, and a ranking of the tool or technique from 1 to 5 for usefulness.
		The Thinker's Toolkit : Fourteen Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving by Morgan D. Jones Times Books; ISBN: 0812928083 The fourteen techniques set forth in this book range from simple brainstorming methods, to advanced methods such as weighted ranking, probability and decision trees, and utility matrices. This book provides techniques that will prove useful in almost all consulting engagements. It is especially important for consultants who are expected to demonstrate, in quantifiable terms, how we arrive at findings and recommendations.
The tools and techniques provided in the above two books can be augmented by additional reading. In particular, The Information System Consultant's Handbook : Systems Analysis and Design by William S. Davis, David C. Yen (CRC Pr; ISBN: 0849370019), and Quality Improvement Tools and Techniques by Peters Mears (McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0070412197)provide a thorough treatment of techniques ranging from cost-benefit analysis to statistical methods.
		Visualizing Project Management by Kevin Forsberg, Hal Mooz (Contributor), Howard Cotterman John Wiley & Sons; ISBN: 0471577790 As a consultant you will work in a project environment. This book provides excellent information on how to plan, schedule and control projects. The information is consistent with the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
		Process Patterns : Building Large-Scale Systems Using Object Technology Cambridge Univ Pr (Short); ISBN: 0521645689
		More Process Patterns : Delivering Large-Scale Systems Using Object Technology Cambridge Univ Pr (Short); ISBN: 0521652626 Both by Scott W. Ambler These two books provide a comprehensive view and templates for managing the full life cycle of systems, from concept to retirement. The information contained in this set is invaluable, and sets forth best practices in all life cycle management key process areas.
	Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Businesses : Winning Government, Private Sector, and International Contracts (The Artech House Technology Management Series), 2nd Ed. by Robert S. Frey Artech House; ISBN: 158053001X (Thanks to Carol Fritz, redmare@binary.net, for pointing out that the 2nd edition is out and has a different ISBN # and cover. More about Carol Not only is this book one of the best works on proposal development, which is a core consulting skill, but also an excellent refresher on writing clearly and concisely.
	Art of Readable Writing by Rudolf Flesch Macmillan General Reference; ISBN: 0020464703 This book is over fifty years old and still continues to be one of the best treatments of readable writing. Every consultant should read this seminal work.