Project Steps

Project Team Dysfunction

2012-05-29T08:57:00.000-04:00

Project teams are dynamic, and interpersonal relationships amongst team members are always in a state of flux. Some teams are high performing and function at a high level over a long period of time. Other teams can't seem to come together and function at all. An effective, experienced project team leader is an important part of any successful team, however, all team members must be personally

Great Project Management Site

2012-05-23T08:46:00.001-04:00

A Girl's Guide to Project Management....Awesome!

Project Management Habits

2012-05-22T06:47:00.000-04:00

(Exerpts from Habit 1: Be Proactive, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey) Dr. Stephen Covey's book, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must read for anyone seeking to be highly effective. One of the concepts Dr. Covey talks about in his books is the "Circle of Concern" and the "Circle of Influence". The basic concept is that we need to focus our time and

Project Knowledge Capture

2012-05-14T07:02:00.003-04:00

Knowledge Capture can be painful! Organizations have a lot of knowledge. This knowledge is critical to the organization’s success and is housed in many places. Knowledge transfer among employees is always a challenge, and most organizations do not have processes in place to ensure that timely knowledge transfer takes place. An organization’s culture can inhibit effective knowledge transfer

Project Critics are Everywhere

2012-05-02T08:48:00.003-04:00

Tom Peters a highly regarded speaker and writer said it best in his book The Project 50, “as project managers we should not try to convert our project enemies by overcoming their objections” and I would add through appeasement. Tom states “we should set out to surround and marginalize them; additionally, the most effective change agents ignore the barbs and darts, their time is spent on allies

Does Your Project Have Value?

2012-04-30T12:40:00.000-04:00

Are you working on a project that has diminished in value? Does your project seem like it would have been a good idea if it was implemented two years ago, two years from now? If you are questioning the value of your project think about these things.What would happen in your company if the project were cancelled?Does the project link to your organizations strategic goals and/or objectives?Does

Project Management - Communicating Change

2012-04-23T07:33:00.000-04:00

Think about these questions prior to communicating change to your organization, project team, or stakeholders. 1. Why are we changing things? Be prepared to address the value of the change to the people impacted by the change 2. What is required for those impacted by the change to do? What needs to be done first, second, etc.? Outline the steps required to implement the change 3. How will

Assumptions vs. Facts

2012-04-17T08:22:00.000-04:00

Dr. Lewis Ireland wrote the excellent article below in 2003 talking about the differences between Assumptions and Facts. Introduction The difference between an assumption and a fact is often subtle and confusing. Some organizations, and individuals, view assumptions and facts in the same light. This approach causes confusion in managing both the assumptions and facts as well as communicating

Quote for the Day

2012-04-12T08:09:00.001-04:00

You've got to have an atmosphere where people can make mistakes. If we're not making mistakes, we're not going anywhere. - Gordon Forward

Where are your Process Maps?

2012-04-09T07:36:00.000-04:00

Well crafted business process maps should be designed to make work flow visible, understandable, and measurable. An important consideration when mapping your business processes is to view them through the eyes of your customers. Here are some areas to consider when you are mapping business processes: Identify Your Organization's/Project's Business Processes What are the processes

Weekend Break

2012-04-07T16:01:00.001-04:00

Kayaking at Bird Key Park, Sarasota, Florida

The Project Sponsor

2012-04-02T07:27:00.000-04:00

A project sponsor's role is to help make project decisions (formal authority), and additionally, he or she is ultimately responsible for the project's success. The sponsor comes from the executive or senior management ranks (depending on the size of the project) and should be influential, a respected politician, and have a track record for getting things done. The sponsors authority and

Project Role Definition and Responsibilities

2012-03-26T09:19:00.000-04:00

What are your thoughts? Do these roles exist in your organization? Do you agree with the definitions? Executive Steering Committee - Sets the strategic vision and objectives for a given program or project. The team leads efforts to build consensus through the organization to support the project or program’s objectives. Governance Board - Formal team of executives from across the

Mastering Your Work

2012-03-22T08:56:00.001-04:00

David Allen is known for great training and tools to help people and organizations efficiently manage work. Check out David Allen's website for some great information! David Allen wrote an article for the NYT this past weekend. Check it out here! Click the image below to enlarge.

Estimating Project Management Tasks

2012-03-19T08:21:00.001-04:00

As stated so eloquently by Bob Lewis in his book "IS Survival Guide", There is no way for you to successfully estimate projects. Take that as a given. It can't be done, and for a very simple reason: Every one of your projects is one-of-a-kind. Mr. Lewis makes a very good point, however in my experience, I have yet to have met a manager that will let me get away with saying "I can't estimate

What is Project Management Value?

2012-03-12T07:19:00.003-04:00

Project value can’t be dictated; it must be planned, agreed upon, and easily recognizable. We can't be told something has value. We must be shown its value and left to form our own opinions. In all cases the value of a project must be measurable. IT IS EASY TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN SUCCESS HAS NO MEASURE! Projects that produce little to no value aren't unique to any one industry or business

Organizational Strategy and Project Plans

2012-03-05T09:38:00.003-05:00

We have a strategic plan where I work, however we don't have a portfolio planning office to manage the output of the strategic plan (the projects). A strategic plan is basically an outline for a list of strategic projects. Strategic projects are focused on mid and long term goals and are authorized by senior management. Without a strategic planning office there is not an effective strategic plan

Can You See Me Now?

2012-02-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

Do you manage your projects mostly from your desk? Are you falling into the trap of managing projects via e-mail, voice mail, fax, letter, and failing to communicate with your customers and stakeholders face-to-face? People value one-on-one conversations. A project manager that doesn't spend significant time on his or her project speaking directly to their customers will not be as

Keep Hope Alive

2012-02-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit - Norman Vincent Peale

Office Gossip

2012-02-13T09:30:00.001-05:00

This Soviet war poster conveys the message: "Don't chatter! Gossiping borders on treason" (1941). According to Marilyn Haight, at BigBadBoss.com Office Politics “is the use of one's individual or assigned power within an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one's legitimate authority.” Those advantages may include access to tangible assets, or intangible

The Perfect (IT) Project Manager

2012-02-06T07:13:00.000-05:00

I have a book entitled “What Makes a Good Project Manager” by James S. Pennypacker and Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin. In the book, there is a reference to a ComputerWorld article that discusses “The Perfect Project Manager”. The consensus of the article was in the world of Information Technology (IT) there are three general areas of Project Management competency: Technology, Business, and Behavior

Simple Problem Management Tips

2012-01-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

Stand up for your team members. If other team members, individuals, or groups outside your team are leveling unfair criticism on your team, get out in front of the issue and defend your team. Admit your mistakes. Do not allow pride or ego to prevent you from admitting your mistakes. Take charge when needed. Some situations will solve themselves; others may require you to step in. Know

Top Ten Project Management Trends for 2012 by ESI

2012-01-24T08:23:00.002-05:00

ESI Announces Top 10 Project Management Trends for 2012 Collaboration Gains Importance as Project Complexity Grows ARLINGTON, VA, USA – Jan. 5, 2012 – As the project environment grows in complexity, project management will require team, stakeholder and executive collaboration in 2012 like never before. On-the-job application of training, custom-made project approaches, innovative project

Ten Keys to Civility

2012-01-15T19:47:00.000-05:00

A local foundation here in Florida, USA has developed a set of "Ten Keys to Civility". These are a perfect set of guiding principles for the project manager. Click here to view their website and find out more. Respect Others - Honor other people and their opinions, especially in the midst of a disagreement. Think Positively - Keep an open mind and assume others have good intentions.Pay

Quick Tips for the New Week

2012-01-09T08:14:00.001-05:00

Get up earlier Go to bed later Work harder Finish what you start Learn one new thing Renew one contact Ask, "How can I help you?" at least once Make yourself visible Be of good cheer Say "Thank You" at least once a day Repeat tomorrow