Good project managers always ask why?
Good project managers always ask why? Why do this? Why is this needed? Don’t stop until you get real answers. As a project manager you need to ensure you are doing the right project or that your...
View ArticleFront foot project management
Problems in all sorts of projects can be avoided or have their impact minimised if you get on the front foot and anticipate them. You won’t know what the problems are, but good project management...
View ArticleUsing simulation for improved PM training
Typical project management training focuses on methodology, tools and techniques. But projects are delivered by people, for people and impacting people. So PM training needs to cover topics such as...
View ArticleIt’s a big job! So what makes a good project manager?
We’ve all worked with or for a project manager who seems to have an innate ability to do the right thing. Their projects run on time and to budget and are really fun to be part of. What are the traits...
View ArticleHow to improve as a project manager
Many people become project managers by accident. It often starts with being given a project to run alongside your day job and before you know it, your full time. So, where can you go to get help? When...
View ArticleDelivering successful projects
Despite many years of developing improved processes, techniques, methodologies and tools, every survey on project delivery success still shows a high proportion of projects failing against one or more...
View ArticleWhat does project management mean to me – a Project Manager’s sermon
So what does project management mean to me? It is such a broad subject with many different aspects to it. To many, project management conjures up visions of plans & planning, risks & issues,...
View ArticleWhat sort of project manager are you or do you aspire to be?
Project managers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and work in all sorts of disciplines. From engineers and construction PMs to systems development and business change PMs. We’re all expected to be...
View ArticleThe problem with project management training …..
….is the immediate thoughts that many people have when the subject is mentioned. Planning, methodologies, processes, Prince2, bureaucracy, boredom etc. etc. Admit it, at least one of these or something...
View ArticleThe three biggest mistakes project managers make
Did you know that 90% of project failures are caused by three fundamental mistakes? Yes, that’s right. Address these three fundamental problems and you will avoid most of the common mistakes that...
View ArticleIt ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it
In project management there are the ‘hard skills’ (planning, risk & issue management, status reporting etc) and the ‘soft skills’ (managing the team, stakeholder engagement, communications – all...
View ArticleProject management in the UK in 2014
Project management in the UK in 2014 is buoyant. Despite a number of major government backed projects still having problems, the public mindset is more inclined to focus on the successes of events like...
View ArticleWho’s running this sweetie shop?
Regular readers of my blog will know the importance I place on the people side of project and programme management. Most problems occur for people reasons. Even when things are technically challenging,...
View ArticleWho’s steering your project?
Is your steering committee or project board providing active guidance to your project? It should be an effective team providing guidance and help for you deliver to great business solutions, but many...
View ArticleCreating a viable business case
The business case is probably the single most important document in any project. Why? Because it provides the justification for the very existence and continuation of the project. The business case is...
View ArticleIt’s official…. and it’s down to Project Managers like you!
…the economy has recovered. The British economy grew by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2014, returning us to where we were at this time in 2008 and for that, businesses have been given some credit!...
View ArticleSimple Project Management that Works
This is the first of two blog posts on the basics of project management. I often say that project management is a big and challenging job. When you are running a large or complex project this is true....
View ArticleTools and techniques: Get organised with Outlook
Why have I included Outlook as one of my top 5 apps for project management? Because as a project manager you can get inundated with e-mail and easily get a sense of overwhelm. And when that happens you...
View ArticleExcel in Project Management
Excel is a ‘must have’ tool for every project manager. Most, if not all, organisations have it installed on the desktop as part of the MS Office suite. So everyone has a form of project management...
View ArticleSimple Project Management that Works – part 2
This is the second of two blog posts on the basics of project management. Project management can seem a big and challenging job. When you are running a large or complex project with lots of stakeholder...
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