Project Management, Programme Management and Business Analysis Podcasts

Building and Managing Distributed Teams

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

Building and managing a project team when the team members all work under one roof is a big challenge. Getting staff invested in the same priorities, overcoming departmental silos, and overcoming the usual communication and decision making quagmires are just a few items on the long list of typical problems that can slow down and trip up business initiatives.

Project-Friendly Skies

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

In this project management podcast, Carl Pritchard, PMP, examines four major concerns in projects and what we can learn from the airline industry: delays, customer relations, flight control and the post-project experience.

Streamlining Projects to Enhance Productivity and Agility

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

In this project management podcast, Suresh Malladi, PMP, discusses how to track progress in outsourced development projects and establish success against the right metrics.

The Miscommunication Gap

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

As individuals and as organizations, we are constantly communicating — whether intentionally or unintentionally. The real question becomes whether we choose to effectively communicate or risk the high cost of miscommunication. The cost of miscommunication can take many forms.

Establishing and Maturing a Business Analysis Center of Excellence

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

Many organizations are scratching their collective heads over how to build and mature a business analysis center of excellence (COE). Where do we start? What does a business analysis COE look like? Who owns it? How does it evolve? This article, an excerpt from ESI’s white paper of the same name, outlines the standard operating practices necessary for a business analysis COE and provides maturity level descriptions to help your organization determine the stage at which its business analysis practice is currently operating.

Why Are My Projects Struggling? Six Basics You Must Never Forget

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:00 GMT

Lately, I’ve noticed that my projects are getting more complicated and status review meetings are focusing mostly on issues and complaints. In fact, all projects on the dashboard are struggling, which made me ask myself, “What is going wrong in an otherwise well-oiled project management machine?”

Getting to Know "No"

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:34:00 GMT

Certainly, project managers don’t want to make saying “no” a habit. However, it is often exactly what we need to say in order to protect the project’s integrity, the sponsor’s reputation and the finances of the sponsoring business. So, how can we say “no” in an effective fashion? Often, it is not by saying “no” ourselves, but by helping our customers down the “no” path. For those cases where we need to “defend the project,” here are some effective ways we can “get to no.”

An Interview on Effective Earned Value Management Part 1

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

In this earned value management podcast, Vice President of Client Solutions Jim Foreman and Senior Instructor Bruce Falk of ESI International discuss A Universal Approach to Effective Earned Value Management, and how EVM improves project performance. They provide practical tips for determining cost and schedule status and assessing whether your project is in or out of control. Finally, you will understand how to quickly pinpoint trouble spots and mitigate their effect on your project before they become major issues.

An Interview on Effective Earned Value Management Part 2

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

In part two of this earned value management podcast series, Jim Foreman, ESI International Vice President of Client Solutions, and Bruce Falk, Senior Instructor, are interviewed about the specifics of A Universal Approach to Effective Earned Value Management and discuss how EVM improves project performance.

How to Retain Your Project Managers

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

To retain project managers, entice them with training and career development, says ESI International Senior Vice President of Client Programs, Raed S. Haddad. In an interview with Eye of Dubai Radio, Mr. Haddad discussed how many projects in Dubai are in jeopardy if construction companies don't retain their project management talent.

Eight Things Your Business Analysts Need to Know

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Each year, organisations across the globe face astronomical project failure rates, often wasting millions of dollars per failed project. This business analysis podcast examines the roots of project failure and centres in on the elusive, often undefined role of the business analyst.

Saving Troubled Projects

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

This podcast examines the complex, high-stress period of assessment and recovery of troubled projects and offers five crucial steps for their successful recovery using project management methodologies. The steps are presented from the perspective of the Recovery Project Manager (RPM), assigned from outside to rein in a project, but they are applicable to project managers practising "self recovery" as well.