| Good
"guest" articles on the theory or practice of project management welcomed.
See Issacon #1453 for web-author guidelines. Copyright
Notice
The copyrights of each of the articles in this section belong
to the respective authors. | |
Guest Articles
- Tips for Getting More Leads by Maxwell Hills
- Maxwell reminds us that for any business, generating new leads is vital for growth and social media like Facebook and LinkedIn are now a vital means for reaching target audiences. To this end he offers some tips and best practices. 07/23
- The Evolution of Project
Management by Robin Hornby
- Robin argues that the effectiveness of project management
is significantly improved by ensuring that the organization
maintains its appropriate level of responsibility. He sees
this as a desirable evolution and points to the specific
drivers that lead naturally to "responsible collaboration"
of the entire organization. 04/23
- Avoiding Frustrations in
High-End Construction Projects by Jonathan B. Fishbeck
- Jonathan has years of experience as a general contractor
as well as being an owner representative in the development
of real estate. Here he provides advice to others contemplating
joining in the same business. 03/23
- Nine Lessons for Leadership
No One Mentions by Angela Civitella
- Angela explains that these are leadership skills that
you are more likely to learn as you go along, by rolling
up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty (as they say).
09/22
- Risk Management in Construction
Projects by Nerija Banaitiene
and Audrius Banaitis
- Both authors are from the Faculty of Civil Engineerig,
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
They provide a researched "How-to" to deal with the construction
risk environment in a time of company closures, rising unemployment,
postponement, or cancelled capital investment. There is
also a consequent increased competition on the one hand
and increased pressure to improve quality, productivity
and cost reduction on the other. All good advice. 08/22
- Five Secrets for Creating
High-Performing Teams by Richard S. Hawkes
- Richard is a transformation expert and author of Navigate
the Swirl (Wiley, April 19, 2022). Here he explains that
the key to building high performing teams is to first get
leadership and culture right. Only then, dive into roles,
strategies, and execution. 07/22
- Five Ways to Develop
Business Writing Skills as a Project Manager by Jessica Fender
- Jessica is a copywriter and blogger who enjoys sharing
her experience with like-minded professionals, especially
those who aim to provide customers with high-quality services.
Clear communication, especially written, is an essential
part. Here she offers ways to improve your writing skills
in order to get your messages across effectively. 07/22
- Starting a New Service-Based
Business? Five Blunders to Avoid! by Shannah Henderson
- Example: Is there a market for your intended project management
activities? Even if yes, will you be doing the work yourself,
and soliciting other clients at the same time may be frowned
upon. Especially, don't offer to do the work at a discount
— that will become the standard for future work with
that client. 06/22
- Human Resources Evolve Into
People Operations by Lauren Winans
- That is, moving away from just hiring, firing, compliance,
and rule setting in a very bureaucratic way. Instead, their
focus is on a more people-centered approach supporting recruiting
and helping to fill vacancies in project team. 06/22
- The Effect of Remote
Work on Tech Salaries by María Elena González
- The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the entire work environment.
While remote jobs existed before the pandemic, the trend
has accelerated worldwide. This means everybody lives in
different locations, with different time zones and living
costs. María Elena González explores the effects of remote
work on tech salaries. 05/22
- Top 5 Effective Time
Management Tips While Working on Complex Projects by Alan Lockman
- Good time management is essential whether working on your
own or in a team. It helps to elevates productivity and
complete assignments on time. 04/22
- 10 Steps to Creating a
Project Plan by Elizabeth Larson
- A critical factor required for achieving a successful
project is in developing an effective project plan. 03/22
- Planning, Scheduling and
Controlling Long Term Projects by Gianluca di Castri
- Is a single-point estimate sufficient for practical purposes
in project management? 02/22
- The Emptiness of Single
Point Estimates by Payson Hall
- Is a single-point estimate sufficient for practical purposes
in project management? 01/22
- 10 Tips to Better
Public Speaking for Professionals by Professor Topher Morrison
- Topher has been a professional speaker and speech coach
for over 30 years. He now offers great tips from his
publication: The Book on Public Speaking. His special
focus is on business leaders that speak in front of their
staff, board of directors, and the public. 12/21
- Top 7 Tips for Good
Decision Making When Feeling Stressed Out by Angela Civitella
- The American Institute of Stress reports that 83% of US
workes suffer from work-related stress. Next time you find
yourself amongst them due to too many project management
decisions to make, then try Angela's 7 steps for Good Decision
Making. 11/21
- The Project Success Model™
- A Guide to Defining Project Success - Part 2
by Henrico Dolfing
- Henrico's Project Success Model™ contains five concepts
(or steps). These concepts and the relationship between
them can be understood as a reinforcing cascade, with the
choices at the top of the cascade setting the context for
the choices below, and choices at the bottom influencing
and refining the choices above. 10/21
- The Project Success Model™
- A Guide to Defining Project Success - Part 1
by Henrico Dolfing
- Author Henrico Dolfing claims that every organization
can dramatically improve its ROI by implementing four essential
things: effective portfolio management; An active Project
Sponsor; Clear Success criteria; and real PM capabilities.
09/21
- Plumbing PM Software:
A Complete Guide by Rae Olver
- Managing one of the major trades of a construction project
invokes all of the challenges encountered in managing the
overall project. Indeed, there is the added challenge of
being competent in the specific trade involved. Rae Oliver
introduces readers to possible software programs designed
to deal with the management of plumbing and similar trades.
07/21
- 16 Tips to Write a Successful
Content Plan for Your IT Project by Jessica Fender
- Managing an IT project is more than just dealing with
hardware and software, it means dealing with people —
and for that you need a well-laidout plan. Jessica provides
a total of 16 tips for developing a successful plan.
06/21
- Taming a Large and Complex
Project - The SanDisk Case Study by Eric Uyttewaal
and Al Rusnak
- Last month we wrote about Craig's paper: "How the Great
Pyramid was built". Imagine the challenge to set up a computer
program to track that project! Here, Eric and Al report
on software developments necessary for scheduling a similarly
large project today. 05/21
- Workers Who Won't Get
Vaccinated? Leaders Can't Let Them Disrupt Business
by Rod Robertson
- Today, vaccination is expected to be the solution to the
covid‑19 pandemic, and everyone is expected to get
their injection. But what do you do with those that won't
comply?. Rod Robertson offers three steps for response.
04/21
- Project Management Caught
in a 1960's Time Warp - The Sequel? Part 2 by Dr. Paul D. Giammalvo
- In this Part 2, author Dr.Paul follows up with descriptions
of the available delivery systems, including project management,
as appropriate to the type of product. He then brings all
that together and points out why it seems we always manage
to under estimate time and cost. He ends with conclusions
from his paper. 03/21
- Project Management Caught
in a 1960's Time Warp - The Sequel? Part 1 by Dr. Paul D. Giammalvo
- Dr. Paul discusses the meagre level of success in
today's projects given the history of thousands of years
of creating great "wonders of the world" assets. He digs
into the concepts of "Asset Life Span development" in great
detail, including: "What Is an Asset?" "How Do We Manage
Assets?" and "How do Operations, Assets and Project Management
all fit together?" 02/21
- Front End Conditioning of
Complex High-Technology Projects - Part 2 by Dr. Philip Crosby
- In this Part 2 Dr. Philip follows on with the remaining
nine factors over the normal, i.e., risk, environment, mission
assurance and quality. He then completes his findings and
concludes with items for discussion and a brief summary.
03/21
- Front End Conditioning of
Complex High-Technology Projects - Part 1 by Dr. Philip Crosby
- Dr. Philip discusses the early conditions of ten
cases of high-tech mega-project success beyond the basic
"givens" of project structure, funding, tools, and plans.
He identifies nine factors over the normal that require
attention, three of which are "attitudinal" and six are
"conditioning". All are discussed in detail. 02/21
- Everything You Should
Know About Managing International Projects by Frank Hamilton
- Globalization and free-market philosophy are shaping the
current global economy. These forces challenge organizations
to create new demands and needs from customers. At the same
time, it is now commonplace for organizations to manage
their projects using virtual teams. 01/21
- 2021 and Beyond ... Trends in
Project Management by Antonio Nieto‑Rodriguez
- Antonio sees more projects than ever, and five disruptive
trends that will impact the field of projects and project
management. He sees an urgent call for profound change in
our practices and a much needed change in our competencies
in a new world driven by change. 01/21
- Introducing PM as a
Life Skill into K12 Education by Jeremy Raynolds
and R. Max Wideman
- Why do it? Because basic project management is essentially
a life skill. At the K12 level it can give children the
abilities required for positive and adaptive behavior that
enable them to deal with modern everyday challenges. The
inclusion of this competency not only provides a valuable
learning experience, but will prove to be a necessity in
the work world of the future. 12/20
- The Relationship between
Project Management and Risk Management by Jordan MacAvoy
- As all project managers know, Jordan says that meeting
company expectations sounds easier than it actually is.
Risks complicate the progress of both simple and complicated
tasks. The issue is, how smoothly can risk management be
incorporated into daily workflows? Jordan recommends six
steps towards this end. 10/20
- Healthcare Industry and
Project Management - Top 5 Things to Know by Mary Walton
- Mary observes: "The major challenge in the healthcare
sector includes lowering the cost of output while improving
the project success rate. According to the Massachusetts
Hospital Association, the major advantage of project management
is that it helps to be a step ahead of every potential risk
while allowing hospitals to run more efficiently and safely."
. 10/20
- Top 8 Things to Leave Off
the Resume as a Project Manager by Donald Fomby
- Applying for a PM position? Or just updating your resume?
Make sure there are no negative entries. Donald tells us
eight things to avoid. 09/20
- 10 Strategies to Develop
and Improve Team Productivity on Projects by Melissa Calvert
- Michael describes five benefits of adopting an "agile"
approach to managing those projects that are essentially
exploratory in nature, such as in software development.
In general it is not suited to traditional prescriptive
type projects such as construction of public infrastructure.
07/20
- Getting, Organizing, and Running,
a Project by Angela Civitella
- Angela offers four short articles providing practical
tips and suggestions on successfully managing your project
management career. They are: 1. Getting a PM Position;
2. Organising your team; 3. Running your project;
and 4. Managing remote workers. 05 & 06/20
- Managing Teams Working from
Home by Howard Tiersky
- The recent outbreak of a worldwide coronavirus epidemic
has required everyone to maintain six feet "social
distancing" to fight its spread. That means working
on line, at home. Howard provides valuable advice to project
team leaders and participants on video-conferencing. 05/20
- Actions that will Define
Project Management in 2020 by Scott Matthews
- How much will project management change in 2020 (the year
of the covid-19 pandemic). We shall see, but mean time Scott
makes an informed prediction. 04/20
- The Reasons Governments
Struggle to Run Projects Successfully by Todd Williams
- The classic measure of project success is in achieving
scope, quality, time and cost targets. In government projects
it is measured rather in terms of the number of people served,
mouths fed, and roofs over heads. In short, success of government
projects is effectively measured differently. 01/20
- Put Quality in its Place
by Robin Hornby
- This is the second part of Robin's previous discussion
on quality, see his paper Did
You Give Up on Quality? published here in May 2019.
In this paper he models quality on the basis of four models,
namely: Point of Quality, Duality of Quality, The Quality
Triangle, and The Quality Quadrant, all of which he describes
in detail. Robin suggests that, as project managers, we
must reclaim our quality leadership role and change the
emphasis on quality. 12/19
- Six Ways to Effectively Manage
Your Project Budget by Daniela McVicker
- Managing your project's budget is something you must stay
on top of during all phases of your project. Daniela lists
six action steps that you can take to keep your budget under
control. 11/19
- The Mysterious S-curve,
4th Edition - Part 4 by David Garland
- Here David explains why you should use S-curves, S-curve
analysis, how to generate the required curves and concludes
with the value and benefits of tracking S-curves for reporting
progress through to destination. 10/19
- The Mysterious S-curve,
4th Edition - Part 3 by David Garland
- David describes a worked example of the generation of
an S‑curve from a simple five-task project. This is
followed by how to generate Percentage S‑curves, but
then cautions against using Task Duration as a quantity
to generate S‑curves. 09/19
- The Mysterious S-curve,
4th Edition - Part 2 by David Garland
- In this Part 2, David describes how to generate an S‑curve,
the importance of schedule integrity, the difference between
Summary and Detailed Tasks and a comment about Milestone
Tasks. 08/19
- The Mysterious S-curve,
4th Edition - Part 1 by David Garland
- The S-curve is a powerful project management control tool.
David explains what it is, why it is important, different
types, and how to use them. 07/19
- A Brief Introduction to
Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma by Ankit Rastogi
- Ankit introduces you to these three techniques so that
people with no experience in this area can get an idea of
what it is all about. 06/19
- What is a Project? Part
2 by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
- Antonio explains the differences, provides his simple
definition of project management and offers his recommendations
as to when to apply it. 07/19
- What is a Project? Part 1
— Always begin by defining what exactly a project involves.
Meaning is the root of achievement. by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
- Antonio says 80+% of jobs are part projects, yet people
view projects as an unwelcome interference with their "regular"
work. 06/19
- Did You Give Up on Quality?
by Robin Hornby
- According to Robin, this is a 7-minute read on his frustrations
with today's approach to quality, how it is misundertood,
and how it should be treated as an intrinsic attribute.
05/19
- Five Indispensable Qualities
of Top Project Managers by Miroslav Anicin
- Are you considering managing a significant Intellect project
such as in the Manufacturing, Information, or High Tech.
industries, as a top project manager? If so, Miroslav offers
some valuable advice. 02/19
- Aspiring to Leadership
by Guest Contributors
- Thinking of becoming a project manager, or even updating
your present knowledge? Read this Guest paper to get essential
advice on honing your persona, advice that is not usually
covered in standard project management courses. 11/18
- Humanizing Work Through
Projects by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
- Antonio theorizes that whereas Work
has always been considered an essential means of providing
for food, clothes, and shelter, in the future the universal
method of working and organizing work will be the project.
10/18
- Project Manager as the CEO
of the New Project Driven Economy and How that Relates to
the Modern PMO by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
- Antonio postulates that: "The New World Reality Requires
a New Organizational Model, Starting with the CEO".
04/18
- An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
and How it Relates to Project Planning by Dr. Dan Patterson
- Dan describes how Artificial Intelligence can strengthen
project management by contributing to more effective project
planning and control. 04/18
- The Only Project Management
Resolutions Worth Taking This New Year by David Miller
- David takes a look at New Year Resolutions, specifically
related to Project Management and tells us why some are
hard to keep, what resolutions are worth taking, and how
to keep them (Well, at least until the next New Year.
Ed.) 03/18
- PMI's Models of Project Management
Knowledge Part 2 — Fixing Problems with Life Cycles,
Process Groups and Knowledge Areas by Crispin (Kik) Piney
- In Part 1 of this paper,
Kik described some of the serious shortcomings of the PMBOK®
Guide now in its 6th Edn. In this Part 2,
Kik explains what they are, why that is important and what
he thinks should be done about them. 03/18
- PMI's Models of Project
Management Knowledge Part 1 — Life Cycles, Process
Groups and Knowledge Areas by Crispin (Kik) Piney
- Kik, as he is known to his friends, has spent years thinking
about how the PMI PMBOK Guide is laid out, and how it is
unnecessarily confusing where Life Spans, Process Groups
and Knowledge Areas are concerned. Where and how it could
be improved will follow in Part 2. 02/18
- Project Business Management:
The Forgotten Knowledge Area by Oliver F. Lehmann
- Oliver draws a careful distinction between performing
projects internal to the performing organization, i.e. Project
Business Management, and Managing Customer Projects. While
the former is taught and discussed in the context of project
management as espoused by the PMBOK, this is not the same
as Managing Customer Projects. In the former, the benfits
are in the future, whereas in the latter, the benefit lifespan
is simultaneous with the project execution as conceived
in the original PMBOK. 11/17
- The Essentials of Business
Etiquette by Sharon Schweitzer
- Sharon provides valuable insights into behaviors that
will enable you to get along with your management superiors
as well as convey leadership to your colleagues at both
business and casual functions. 08/17
- Sound Sleep - An Essential Habit
for PMs by Sarah Jones
- Project management, because of its nature, is necessarily
stressful. To cope with the challenges of a project you
also need to manage your stress level. Getting good sleep
is the foundation for success - Sarah explains how. 07/17
- Project Failure -
My Leading Indicators by Craig Imlach
- In this paper, Craig presents his nine markers for predicting
and identifying project failure in large projects. 04/17
- Epilogue to: When It Is
Not Project Management
Max's Questions and Mark Seely's Response
- In October 2016, Mark Seely sent me a draft of his book
WIN-PM for my interest. It certainly did, so we entered
into a discussion. The outcome is reproduced here because
it sheds light on Marks' thinking, and certainly raises
important questions about the broader implications of project
management. 06/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 6
by Mark Seely
- This concludes Mark's epic voyage through the anatomy
of project management in its broadest sense. Following on
with Appendix B, Mark describes a performance dashboard
that renders critical information for the project's authorities.
However, this will vary according to Level. Mark provides
examples for each of his five Levels. Appendix C looks at
the Human Affinity for appropriate response in each of five
levels of Learning/Experience. In Appendix D Mark steps
aside to examine the proper relationship between Sponsor
and Contractor at each of the five levels of contractual
relationships. 06/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 5
by Mark Seely
- In this Part 5, Mark will
start by clarifying each of the five project management
levels discussed previously and recommends best practices
for deployment of each. He concludes his chapters with a
set of ten "DBM Commandments" for your guidance.
In Appendix A he confronts complexity and points to simplifying
options. 05/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 4
by Mark Seely
- Mark follows up with details of Levels 3, 4 and 5. Note
that levels 4 and 5 include "Governance", which
is a relatively new area for discussion. Chapter 5 also
includes a couple of examples of management misalignment,
one from Canada and the other from the US. 04/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 3
by Mark Seely
- This month, Mark digs into the details of Levels 1 and
2 of the project management organizational ladder, namely
Process Management and
(single) Project Management.
He then pauses to discuss a variety aspects of the project
management environment, an activity that he calls Sociolytic
Mindscaping. 03/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 2
by Mark Seely
- To dig into the issues, Mark decides to "undo"
project management before re-assembling. To do so, Mark
looks at a variety of spectacular projects from a variety
of major stereotypical industries and uses the Dynamic
Baseline Model (DBM) to determine their complexity level
and associated performance expectation. He then arrives
at a series of degrees by which he moves up the project
management organizational ladder. 02/17
- When It Is Not Project Management
— Part 1
by Mark Seely
- The title may be misleading, but this series of articles
is about decision making, the very foundation of successful
project management. Decisions are made on the basis of an
analysis of the situation. As projects become larger and
more complex so do the analyses - often involving different
sources and, unfortunately, with different points of view,
i.e. biases. Now we need to analyse the range of available
analyses from an unbiased perspective, especially if the
original biases are political. The targets of this über-discipline
are obviously large infrastructure projects funded by governments.
01/17
- The Strategic
Management of Projects
Part 2 - The Project Delivery Capability
by Patrick Weaver
- The Project Delivery Framework discussed in Part 1,
set the stage for an effective corporate Project Delivery
Capability (PDC) in this Part 2. An effective strategic
capability for competently managing an organization'sprojects
and programs is critical for the creation and preservation
of stakeholder value. Here, Patrick describes the five-level
PDC maturity model for enabling how. 07/16
- The Strategic
Management of Projects
Part 1 - The Project Delivery Framework
by Patrick Weaver
- In order to discuss an effective corporate Project Delivery
Capability, Patrick first introduces a relevant taxonomy
suitable for a meaningful discussion. Since Governance is
the ultimate responsibility of the organization's Board,
this will enable a top management discussion covering corporate
governance, through strategy and program management, to
project governance. 06/16
- Acquiring, Developing,
and Retaining Project Talent
How the Right Talent Improves Project and
Business Success:
Part 2 - Talent Development by Stacy Goff
- In this Part 2 of his paper, Stacy describes how the role
of training enables individuals to climb the stairway from
data to wisdom and the gaps to be bridged along the way
in talent development towards business benefit. Then it
is a matter of retaining the talent once developed! 06/16
- Acquiring, Developing,
and Retaining Project Talent
How the Right Talent Improves Project and
Business Success:
Part 1 - Talent Then and Now by Stacy Goff
- According to Stacy, talent is the right combination of
innate abilities, plus the knowledge, skills, attitudes,
experience and competence needed to deliver performance.
Talent is essential in two project dimensions: Talent to
create the product and talent to manage the work involved.
05/16
- Project Management Methodologies
Explained by Patrick Hankinson
- Patrick draws a clear distinction between the project
life span and the methodology best suited to creating the
product. He then discusses various methodology options available
for IT and related type projects. 02/16
- Bayesian Project Management
by Joe Marasco
- Your project is under way and heading for its first milestone,
or perhaps that first milestone has just been completed.
Now, what are your chances of completing the whole project
on time? Joe has an answer for estimating that also —
based on Bayesian theory. 12/15
- Predicting Project Outcomes
by Joe Marasco
- What are the chances of your project being successful?
Well, it depends. Joe has a nomogram for you to solve this
complex problem. You may be surprised by what this chart
can tell you about your project, but you need to read the
whole paper. 10/15
- Answergraph™ for People,
Time and Money by Joe Marasco
- You're tasked to shorten the project schedule. Cutting
scope and quality are not options, and your team is already
working maximum overtime, but you could add more people.
So realistically, how many — given reallocation of
work and rampup time? Joe's Answergraph™ enables calculation.
9/15
- Planning for
Business Transformation by Leopoldo Innecco
- Transforming a business is a major challenge. The PICARO
lifecycle, consisting of 6 major phases, was created to
combine project management, change management and business
transformation processes into a single framework. 3/15
- Business Process Types 1,
2 & 3 by Angelo Baratta
- Do you have a Business Process 3.0 challenge? Angelo traces
the evolution of management through the ages and discovers
that what we face now can be much more complex. 2/15
- Project Governance & Control:
The Building of the Crystal Palace by Pat Weaver
(Case Study)
- Pat loves to study historical projects. This case study
provides a wonderful opportunity to see the governance structure
and imagine you are the project manager developing the project
plan. 1/15
- Lessons in Learning - Part
4 of 4: Observations on the Case Study
The Story Behind the IT Sector's Chronic
Training Gap by Robert Goatham
- Based on the case study in Part 3, in this final Part
4 Robert discusses what we can learn given the right circumstances.
In particular, he comments on the merits of role models,
leadership, coaching, and the need for mentors. 12/14
- Lessons in Learning - Part
3 of 4: A Case Study in Advanced Learning
The Story Behind the IT Sector's Chronic
Training Gap by Robert Goatham
- Is it possible to train people to use the higher order
thinking skills described in Part 2? In this Part 3, Robert
provides a case study in advanced learning describing what
it is, why it is necessary, and the reasons why strong resistence
is often encountered. 11/14
- Lessons in Learning - Part
2 of 4: Developing Thinking Skills
The Story Behind the IT Sector's Chronic
Training Gap by Robert Goatham
- In Part 2, Robert explains why working on projects is
"different", the higher-order thinking skills
required, and the impact on corporate training required
if the rate of project failure is to be reduced –
especially in the IT sector. 10/14
- Lessons in Learning - Part
1 of 4: Learning Explained
The Story Behind the IT Sector's Chronic
Training Gap by Robert Goatham
- In this Part 1, Robert introduces his experiences of IT
project failures and the need, not just for training, but
for the development of the advanced skills required for
managing complex projects. He goes on to define "expertise",
stages of learning, and the "training gap". 09/14
- Projects Early and Under Budget:
The 777-300ER Airframe Design by Skip Reedy
(Case Studies)
- Skip provides an example of how successful critical chain
project management can be on a $500 million project, completing
26% earlier than planned and an estimated 10% under budget.
07/14
- NO Such Thing As an "IT"
Project by Bill Monroe
- Bill challenges the IT community to think about the relationship
between the IT department and the business itself as to
where IT-type projects really fit, and hence who is responsible
for their success. 06/14
- Why a Small Business
Might Be the Perfect Retirement Gig and 10 Rules for Starting
Your Own by Sean C. Castrina
- Ever think of "going out on your own", but maybe
apprehensive? Project managers are particularly vulnerable.
Or why end at 65? Sean provides valuable advice. 05/14
- Know Your People: Thoughts Related
to MBTI by Constantine Kortesis
- Should smart project managers take into considerations
Myers-Briggs (Personality) Type Indicators when managing
large and diverse teams? 04/14
- The Hidden Cost of Poor Project
Management by Francis Hooke
- Francis illustrates certain hidden, or typically unaccounted-for
costs of project management and their implications –
including those that are social, emotional and human. 04/14
- 200-year-old Hwaseong Fortress
Demonstrates Project Management - Part 2 by Young Min Park
(Case Study)
- Young Min Park delves more deeply into the records of
this 200-year old project and compares his findings with
today's project management practices. This Part 2 concludes
with a set of questions designed to stimulate discussion
on what can we learn and project for the future. 03/14
- 200-year-old Hwaseong Fortress
Demonstrates Project Management - Part 1 by Young Min Park
(Case Study)
- Young Min Park has been written up this paper as a major
case study of interest to project management students and
instructors. Part 1 describes this beautiful Hwaseong fortress
that is now a tourist attraction. Two hundred years ago
it was built as a king's fortification and administration
center. Part 2 will
dive into the project records of the day to discover how
this project was managed. 02/14
- Transformation Requires
Overcoming the Enemies of Learning by Chris Majer
- Changing how people work is often a major obstacle to
the successful completion of a transformative project. But
knowledge and learning are critical to adopting new processes
and practices. Chris describes a few of the more important
obstacles and how to deal with them. 02/14
- The Case for Public-Private
Partnerships by Charles Lammam
and Hugh MacIntyre
- Charles and Hugh point to the Skagit River Bridge collapse
on I-5 in Washington State to remind us of the importance
of maintaining existing infrastructure and explain the superiority
of investing in new projects using the P3 approach. 01/14
- Win That Contract: The 23 Biggest
Mistakes That Bidders Make - Part 3 by David Harrison
- David's final list of eleven items you probably should
not do covers Strategies and Tactics; Evidence; Content
Presentation; and Post-tender Interviews. 12/13
- Win That Contract: The 23 Biggest
Mistakes That Bidders Make - Part 2 by David Harrison
- Here is David's second group of seven things you probably
should not do, in the areas of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires,
Relationships and Processes. 11/13
- Win That Contract: The 23 Biggest
Mistakes That Bidders Make - Part 1 by David Harrison
- Are you involved in procurement of goods and services
under contract for your project, whether as a buyer or seller?
If so, David offers very good advice in the form of things
you probably should not do. 10/13
- Enterprise Project Governance
(EPG)
How to Manage Projects Successfully Across
the Organization
by Paul C. Dinsmore & Luiz Rocha
- The authors explain what EPG is, how it has evolved out
of project management, how it can enhance organizational
performance, and hence why it should be of interest to executive
management. 09/13
- PMBOK® Guide
Fifth Edition - Unraveling Project Reserves
Part 2 - A Recommended Solution
by Roger L. Parish
- Roger recommends solutions to the PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition
issues he identified in Part 1 of his paper. 08/13
- PMBOK® Guide
Fifth Edition - Unraveling Project Reserves
Part 1 - Changes that Improve But Challenges
Remain by Roger L. Parish
- An update of his March 2010 paper, Roger examines PMBOK
Guide Fifth Edition in a similar manner and found it better
but not perfect. 07/13
- Meddling Stakeholders –
The Titanic Project
by Mark Kozak-Holland (Case Study)
- The building of the British passenger liner Titanic was
an enormous project in its day. The loss of the ship on
15 April 1912 after colliding with an iceberg in the North
Atlantic Ocean on her maiden voyage was a terrible disaster.
To what extent was the loss due to stakeholder meddling?
Mark Kozak-Holland offers his views. 06/13
- Toward a Competency Model
for Program Managers - Part 2 by Ginger Levin
and J. LeRoy Ward
- In this Part 2, Ginger and LeRoy provide content for their
proposed six Program Management Performance
Competencies and eight Program Management Personal
Competencies. The authors believe they have identified the
units of competence required of program managers in most
programs most of the time. 05/13
- Toward a Competency Model
for Program Managers - Part 1 by Ginger Levin
and J. LeRoy Ward
- Ginger and LeRoy explain the need for competent program
managers and in this Part 1 describe their research in the
development of their proposed model and what the model looks
like. 04/13
- The Real Role of Project
Portfolio Management by Andy Jordan
- Andy Jordan suggests that project portfolio management
is not about delivering projects, it's about a true strategic
function required to achieve an organization's intended
destination. Andy explains why. 03/13
- The New American Dream
Why Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur is
the Only Way Out of This Mess by Gregory Downing
- Can't pay the bills? Can't find a job? Perhaps the system
is broken and what we have been taught is no longer valid.
Gregory suggests the answer is a whole new way of thinking
and offers 15 simple laws for becoming a successful entrepreneur.
02/13
- A New PM System in a Major
Capital Programmes Directorate: Case Study by Arnab Banerjee
- London Underground has a vision of being a World Class
Tube carrying four million passengers a day in a World Class
City. This paper describes the methodology adopted for a
new project management system where delivery is critical.
01/13
- Critical Chain Project
Management by Skip Reedy
- Ever wondered what Theory of Constraints is really all
about? Skip Reedy explains in very simple and obvious term
its application as the underlying basis for Critical Chain
Project Management (scheduling). 12/12
- Redefining Project Management
by Mounir Ajam
- Mounir suggests that some of the common project management
terms used in the practice of project management are not
well defined resulting in damage to the practice of PM.
Find out what and why. 11/12
- Visions of the Future by Norman KK Ng
- Want an insight into the future, 125 years from now? Or
maybe just 50 years from now? The follow Norman's "visions"
and look for his underlying messages. 10/12
- Ten of the Toughest Conversations
You'll Ever Have
From Confrontation to Calm: How to Ask Your
Way Through Them by Andrew Sobel
- Andrew identifies ten tough situations in which the best
response is to counter with the right questions designed
to diffuse the situation. Particularly useful in dealing
with project stakeholders. 09/12
- Should Project Managers be
Professionally Licensed or Chartered? by Gareth Byatt, Gary Hamilton
and Jeff Hodgkinson
- Our authors put forward a number of considerations on
this issue of professional licensing of project managers.
How would it work? How would it compare with other professions?
What would be the benefits and risks? 08/12
- Achieving Consistent High-Level
Business Results Part 2: Structuring a Sustainable
Project Business Management Office by Dennis L. Bolles
- In this Part 2, Dennis covers the detailed workings of
a PMBO through Standardization, Capability, Execution and
establishing PBM Maturity. 07/12
- Achieving Consistent High-Level
Business Results Part 1: Creating a Sustainable
Project Business Management Office by Dennis L. Bolles
- Senior management needs a structure for documenting and
reviewing strategic planning and tactical information for
creating an effective strategic business plan. Dennis recommends
creating a PBMO for competitive advantage. 06/12
- Building Better Quality
Estimates by Kim Tremblay
- Want to get into the group of PMs that heave learned the
hard way? Check out these seven common estimating mistakes
and how to avoid them. 05/12
- CIOs: Take Heed of Project Portfolio
Management in 2012! by Alex Adamopoulos
- PPM is a business life cycle process, not a project management
process. As such, Alex describes three challenges for management,
five reasons why PPM will matter in 2012 and offers five
tips for surmounting the hurdles. 04/12
- Leadership Principles
for Project Success by Thomas Juli
- "Success" (in a project) is an enigmatic word. Thomas
provides his view and, based on his experience, offers five
simple yet powerful leadership principles that, if applied
systematically, can help pave the way to project success.
03/12
- Hessel Friedlander interviews
SAP Project Manager Zvika Bash Insights
into Managing Software Project Teams by Hessel Friedlander
- Zvika is an Applications Manager at a large, multinational
IT organization. He specializes in SAP Enterprise Resource
Planning implementation projects. Zvika sheds light on his
career, and his tips on managing software teams. 02/12
- Cut the Noise and Cut to the
Chase! Seven Tips for Streamlining Communication
in Your Project Organization by Michael Feuer
- See your project as a business? Then run it like a business!
Information overload, some of it next to useless? Then consider
using these seven strategies. 01/12
- Agile Project Management:
Answers to Questions on the Basics by Peter McBride
- Peter offers advice on Roles and Responsibilities and
a comparison between Conventional and Agile approached to
project management. He also discusses the issue of Quality
(equals "good enough") and the tactical importance of "Timeboxing".
12/11
- Time's Up! What Do You Really
Want? by John Baker
- John claims that he has worked with hundreds of project
management professionals, most quite talented but some completely
incompetent. So we asked him to explain how his three key
rules for communication could help, especially in eliciting
requirements to ensure a successful project. 11/11
- Pearls of Project Wisdom
by Michael Cavanagh
- In preparing for his latest book, Michael interviewed
a number of experienced project leaders and gathered some
valuable observations on project management, process and
delivery, well worthy of careful consideration. 08/11
- Seven Good Reasons for Rapid
Growth of Project Management in IT by David L. Pells
- expresses amazement at the growth of IT projects, massive
investments, and PMI membership. All these are encouraging
signs for the future - including project portfolio management
and complex project management. 12/10
- Leadership in the Context
of Today's Product Life Cycle by Greg Strid
- Greg discusses the proposition that "Leadership, management
and team building, while all closely allied, are sufficiently
different in the project environment that they require special
study". 11/10
- Project Portfolio Management
Part 2: PPM Explained by Jamal Moustafaev
- Jamal explains the three key criteria for projects in
a portfolio, why each project should have a business case
stage as well as a charter and the need for portfolio managers
distinct from project managers. 10/10
- Project Portfolio Management
Part 1: PPM Illustrated by Jamal Moustafaev
- Do you know why your organization needs project portfolio
management? Jamal cites examples of why you do. 09/10
- Do You Know Where Your
IT Projects Are? by Yogi Schulz
- Yogi describes 12 signs of impending IT project doom visible
months before catastrophe strikes and suggests corrective
actions to re-establish project success. 08/10
- Project Management Credentials
Compared - A Preliminary Analysis: Part 2 by Paul D. Giammalvo
- In this Part 2, Paul presents his analysis, ranks 29 project
management qualifications from around the world, comments
on the limitations of his model and makes recommendations
for further work. 07/10
- Project Management Credentials
Compared - A Preliminary Analysis: Part 1 by Paul
D. Giammalvo
- Have you ever wondered how the various project management
credentials available in the market stack up one to another?
Paul presents his preliminary analysis. 06/10
- Project Manager's Promises
and Work Performance Assessment by Steve Jenkin
- Steve's thoughts on a project manager's promises "To make
it happen" and the consequent "Professional's Performance
Paradox". 05/10
- Westland's Great Advice
Collection: Four Short Guides by Jason Westland
- Jason provides you with four short guides to Project Manager
Goals; Step-by-Step Project Management; Creating a Communications
Plan; and Writing Great Project Documents. 04/10
- PMBOK® Guide
Fourth Edition - Unraveling Project Reserves by Roger L. Parish
- Ever felt that you needed an explanation of project cost
management, specifically how to deal with contingencies
and reserves? Read Roger's explanations and recommendations
for good practice. 03/10
- How to Gain Value from
a Project Management Model: Case Study by Eva Riis
and Pernille Eskerod
- Use of PM models create value, but what are the necessary
preconditions to sustain value? Eva and Pernille explore
this question in depth. 02/10
- Behavioral Profiles
of Successful Project Managers - A Pilot Research Study
by Paul D. Giammalvo, Ph.D.
and John Suermondt
- Are you really a "natural" project manager? Are your behavioral
attributes aligned to project success? Paul discusses this
fascinating topic as an outcome of his in-depth research.
01/10
- Managing Construction
Projects: Best Practices in Good Times and Bad - Part 2
Revay and Associates Limited
- Further to Part 1, this Part 2 looks at pricing, scheduling,
and performance issues among others. 01/10
- Managing Construction
Projects: Best Practices in Good Times and Bad - Part 1
Revay and Associates Limited
- Experienced Revay authors provide valuable advice on dealing
with some of today's key issues in managing construction
projects in the current economic climate. 12/09
- Managing Canada's Underground
Infrastructure: A Paradigm Shift Needed by Bruce Hollands
- Projects galore! Bruce draws attention to the looming
need for water and wastewater infrastructure replacement
and upgrading across Canada. 12/09
- Is Project Management
a Profession? If Not, What Is It?
by Paul D. Giammalvo, Ph.D.
- Paul collects solid data to show that, in 2004 at least,
the practice of project management is not a "profession"
in the classic sense until project managers can demonstrate
trust, fiduciary responsibility and successful delivery
better than 80% of the time. 11/09
- A New Model of Project Portfolio
Management by Gary J. Summers, Ph.D
- A test model to provide feedback from your portfolio of
results with a view to improving your project portfolio
selection and management. 10/09
- Nanotechnology,
Toxicology and the Consumer: Hope or Health Risk? by W. Shane Journeay, Ph.D
- Could nanotechnology be the next "Big Thing"
in new technologies? Shane describes the possibilities and
expresses his concerns over the dangers. 09/09
- Implementing Project
Management at a (Very) Functional Organization: Case Study
by Jamal Moustafaev
- Jamal presents a very real situation as a very useful
case study illustrating typical difficulties experienced
by management short on project management and portfolio
management disciplines. 08/09
- The PMBOK® Guide Fourth Edition:
An Analysis - Part 2 by Muhamed Abdomerovic
- In this Part 2, Muhamed describes his findings in detail
and offers suggestions for improvement in the next update.
07/09
- The PMBOK® Guide Fourth
Edition: An Analysis - Part 1 by Muhamed Abdomerovic
- An in-depth study of the PMBOK® Guide Fourth Edition focusing
on improvements and deficiencies since the third edition
especially in reference to its output/input systems approach.
06/09
- The Mysterious S-curve
by David Garland
- The S-curve is a powerful project management control tool.
This paper explains what the mysterious S-curve is, why
it is an important project management tool, and how to generate
one. 05/09
- The Story Behind the
High Failure Rates in the IT Sector by Robert Goatham
- Studies suggest that failure in IT is higher than in engineering.
Given we use the same basic PM tools, does that mean IT
projects are "different"? Robert explores this question
and suggests organizations should look to developing decision-making
expertise. 04/09
- Ten Essential Steps to Delivering
Successful Programs by J. LeRoy Ward,
PMP, PgMP
- An organization's ability to execute major initiatives
successfully are ripe with business, leadership, management
and technical challenges requiring proficiency in program
management. 03/09
- Project Lessons from
The Great Escape: Case Study - Part 2 by Mark Kozak-Holland
- In this Part 2, Mark examines the Escape saga from the
perspective of project risk management. The paper concludes
with five suggested team exercises. 02/09
- Project Lessons from
The Great Escape: Case Study - Part 1 by Mark Kozak-Holland
- Project managers can learn from past projects, even though
the examples cited are not necessarily recognized as projects.
The Great Escape is a gripping example. 01/09
- Requirements of the Project
Management Office Thomas B. Clark
- To support their project managers and increase their success
rate, companies create and staff a "project management office".
But what are the specific responsibilities and requirements
for such an office? 12/08
- Project Management Career
Path Greta Blash and R. Max
Wideman
- There are various levels of project managers, and various
sizes and complexities of projects. As more experience is
gained on smaller less complex projects, promotions to more
senior levels become possible. 11/08
- Wellington County Recreational
Complex: Case Study Ron Leduc
- Ron's case study, for the benefit of student's and instructors,
is drawn from a controversial economic development project.
The case is, of course, entirely fictitious but the challenges
described are not uncommon. 14 study questions are included.
10/08
- Prioritization and
Scheduling Based on Value Bob McMurray
and Steve Chamberlin
- Bob and Steve emphasize that completing a project in portfolio
management is not the real challenge. Rather, it is choosing
the right project in the first place. Value should be the
criterion. 10/08
- Pension Funds and Toll Roads
- A Potentially Good Fit Robert W. Poole, Jr.
- Maintenance or replacement, upgrading and expansion of
our infrastructure in North America are long overdue if
we are to meet the needs of an ever-increasing population.
But where will the money come from? Robert Poole proposes
long-term toll concessions. Read how. 09/08
- What is a PM Methodology?
A Search for Efficiency, Consistency, and Performance
Stacey A. Goff
- Do you know why you should use a consistent project management
metholodoly? Stacey gives you ten good reasons. 08/08
- Testing Your Judgment
in Making Decisions Lev Virine
and Michael Trumper
- Have you ever wondered how good you are at making project
decisions? Take this quiz and find out - then read the book!
07/08
- What is Not a Project?
A Primer for Embracing Project-Based Work
Randall L. Englund
- Randy takes us back to project management basics by positing
that not much is not a project and the reasons why. He goes
on to draw the analogy in nature of growing a fruit tree.
06/08
- Portfolio Management
- Aligning Projects with Corporate Strategies and Values
Don J. Wessels, PMP
- Don discusses the real key to project selection and prioritization
in project portfolio management: by maximizing business
value through a robust business case. 05/08
- DBM & Personality Types:
A Supplementary Explanation Mark Seely
-
- In response to a visitor's question, the authors of the
Dynamic Baseline Model for
Project Management answer the question: "How is the DBM
model related to personality type and project leadership?"
05/08
- Making Every Word Count
- Sage Advice for Project Managers Lindsay Camp
- Sound lessons in communicating for project managers -
and others. 04/08
- Lessons of Boston's Big Dig
Nicole Gelinas
- America's most ambitious infrastructure project inspired
engineering marvels and colossal mismanagement. 03/08
- Good News From Iraq Capt. Steven
J. Lucks (Ret.)
- Building a greenfield data center is a challenge. Building
it in an eastern war zone is an even bigger challenge. 02/08
- The Job of the Project Manager
Robert Youker
- A project manager must know his/her specific duties. Bob
provides comprehensive descriptions for on-the-job tasks,
Terms of Referece and a Project Charter for organizational
relationships. 01/08
- Developing IT Project Metrics
from the Top Down Michael R. Wood
- "It'll be done when it is done" is just not good enough.
Project managers must know when. Step up to the Metrics
Challenge by following Michael's good advice. 11/07
- The Purposes and
Methods of Practical Project Categorization - Part 2
Dr. Russell Archibald
- In this Part 2, Russ describes his project categorization
in detail according to various parameters and concludes
that to be useful any categorization scheme must be hierarchical
and directly related to specific needs. 10/07
- The Purposes and Methods
of Practical Project Categorization - Part 1
Dr. Russell Archibald
- Russ recommends a systematic approach to a project classification
system, proposes a matrix, and explains why it is needed.
09/07
- Distinguishing PM Competence
in Training and Development, Organizational Assessment and
Certification Stacy A. Goff
- Stacy shares a perspective gained in 24 years of training,
coaching, and assessing factors leading to demonstrated
project management competence. 08/07
- In Search of Project
Portfolio Management Processes Stephen Rietiker
- Stephen, originator of The KEY-9 Landscape describes his
search for tangible PPM processes, his findings (not much),
goes on to offer an alternative model, and invites readers
to review and contribute. 07/07
- The Value of Project
Management Certification Dr. Lewis Ireland
- Lew makes his case for project management certification
based on who benefits, who provides it, and on what standard.
06/07
- Legal Project Management
- Developing and Managing the Scope of Work, Schedule, Budget
and Communications for Legal Transactions and Dispute Resolution
Douglas C. Allen
- Douglas shows how to apply project management to legal
matters generally. 05/07
- Applying Project Management
to Litigation and Discovery Management Lauren A. Allen, PMP
- Lauren applies project management to litigation specifically.
05/07
- The Chaos Report - Reality
Challenged Jim Highsmith
- Jim challenges the wisdom of the Standish Group's often
quoted Chaos reports about software project failures. 04/07
- PRINCE2, 2005 Edition:
Author Colin Bentley's Observations on Our Book Review (Part
2) Colin Bentley
- Colin continues his counter arguments with our original
Book Review text. 03/07
- PRINCE2, 2005 Edition:
Author Colin Bentley's Observations on Our Book Review (Part
1) Colin Bentley
- Colin takes issue with some of our observations on the
PRINCE2 (2005) standard project management method. 02/07
- Must Project Managers
be Subject Matter Experts? Hessel Friedlander
- Hessel provides his view on this intriguing and controversial
question, backed by his research. 01/07
- Managing Project Scope - Part
3: Control Means Maintaining Baselines as the Scope Evolves,
Walter A. Wawruck
- Walter outlines a framework of principles and procedures
for controlling the scope of a project. 12/06
- Managing Project Scope
- Part 2: A Neglected Dimension of Effective Performance
on Diverse Projects, Walter A. Wawruck
- Walter reviews the scope literature of the day and makes
observations based on his own extensive experience, including
application and use of WBS. 11/06
- Managing Project Scope - Part
1: A Neglected Dimension of Effective Performance on Diverse
Projects, Walter A. Wawruck
- Walter describes the findings of his landmark research
into the importance of project scope, its meaning and how
effective scope management affects time and cost. 10/06
- Learning from Japan: A Different
Approach to Project Cost Accounting, Om P. Kharbanda
- Project cost accounting, not the same as corporate accounting,
is an essential feature of project management. Could the
approach be different? Om describes what he learned from
Japan's cost management practices. 09/06
- Event Chain Methodology
in Project Management, Lev Virine
- Lev explains how Event Chain Methodology is a practical
method for modeling uncertainties in various time-related
business and technological processes. 08/06
- PMBOK® Guide 2004
and PRINCE2™ 2005 Compared, Colin Bentley
- Colin is Chief Examiner for UK examinations in the PRINCE2
project management methodology of which he wrote a major
part and its subsequent revisions. He presents a detailed
comparison of the UK and US documents. 07/06
- Project Success: Looking
Beyond Traditional Project Metrics, Brian K. Willard
- Project management has traditionally measured project
success by: "On Time, On Budget and to Specifications".
Brian explains the limitations of these metrics and suggests
better ones, especially for IT projects. 06/06
- Markup and its Effect on Project
Communications (Putting an Important Resource in a Historic
Light), Barry Schaeffer
- Barry explains "markup" as it applies to modern
web page coding, its evolution in the context of communication
history, and its value in today's information projects and
products. 05/06
- Filling the Infrastructure
Gap: How Public Private Partnerships Benefit Taxpayers,
Sara MacIntyre
- Money for public projects, especially large infrastructure
projects, seems to be a common refrain these days at a time
when the public seems distrustful of government spending.
Sara explains the application and benefits of P3s. 04/06
- Project Miner: Case
Study, A. Lathif Masood
- Lathif has kindly provided an interesting and challenging
case study for the benefit of project management students
and their instructors. You may need some personal practical
experience to get the most benefit. 04/06
- Holy Grail? Holy Cow More
Like - Or What Best Practice? Might Be?, Alan Harpham
- Alan challenges Max's thoughts on the Holy Grail of Pproject
Management and presents some of his own thoughts on the
issue of project management best practice. 03/06
- The Dynamic Baseline Model for
Project Management - Part III, Mark A. Seely
and Quang P. Duong
- In this final part of Mark and Quang's informative presentation,
they describe five paradoxes that emerge as you move up
the scale to Management by Values and beyond. 02/06
- The Dynamic Baseline Model for
Project Management - Part II, Mark A. Seely
and Quang P. Duong
- The DBM model sets expectations at different levels of
project complexity. This Part 2 describes the Lowest Management
Level, Expectation of Success, an extrapolation of the model,
and the authors' observations. 01/06
- The Dynamic Baseline Model
for Project Management - Part I, Mark A. Seely
and Quang P. Duong
- Mark and Quang's DBM model provides a valuable framework
for progressive levels of learning and practice based on
management by rules, by methods, by objectives and by values.
Hence it sets expectations at different levels of project
complexity. 12/05
- Why Do We Need Project Portfolio
Management (PPM)?, Harvey A. Levine
- Harvey observes that the questions CEOs want answered
are: What is our optimum mix of projects, how many support
strategic objectives and what value do they bring to shareholders?.
Harvey explains how. 11/05
- Community of Practice: Wave
of the Future for Project Management?, Tony Kippenberger
- Tony describes the concept, origins and merits of "Community
of Practice", its link to knowledge management and
its three fundamental elements. 10/05
- Virtual Teams: Getting
beyond Email, Brad M. Jackson
- Brad explains why Email and collaborative technologies
have not worked effectively for projects. He describes a
Digital Group Memory (DGM) technology that meets the needs
of dispersed teams but users must adopt a new competency.
9/05
- The PMBOK® Guide Third
Edition: An Analysis, Muhamed Abdomerovic
- Muhamed makes a powerful case for immediate amendment
of the recent issue of the Project Management Institute's
Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge 3rd. Edition,
and states that this should be done in two stages. His conclusions
are based on a thorough and scientific review of the document.
All readers of the document should be aware of the problem
areas that he explains in detail. 7/05
- Powerful Project Management:
A Balanced Blend of Art and Science, Matt
Klein
- Matt points to the massive projects of the past and laments
the high level of failure in information technology projects
of the present. He asks if that could be due to a shortage
of IT experts knowing the art of getting things done. 6/05
- On the "Cult of Design",
Kate Jones
- As an entrepreneurial designer of game puzzles, Kate expresses
her views on the reaction of customers to new products and
her insights into managing her own work. 5/05
- Designing and Installing
a Project Management Information System in a Developing
Country's Ministry of Education, Bob Youker
and Ronald Ng
- Bob describes how it was possible to design and install
a project management information system using the Microsoft
Office suite of software in a developing country's Ministry
of Education with limited authority and resources. 2/05
- Did Everything Right
but Got it Wrong - A Case Study, Hessel Friedlander
- When you really try to do everything according to best
practice, and have your client's approval all along the
way, it is very disappoinging to find that you have still
got it wrong. Hessel provides a real-project case study
that should provide for thoughtful discussion. 1/05
Earned Value Technique Sparks Discussion, - Several writers exchange thoughts on trying to make practical
sense of the earned value technique. If you want to know
what all those acronyms mean, this is a good place to start.
12/04
- Construction Claims and Contracting
Strategies, Bryan S. Shapiro
- Bryan developed this paper for a construction industry
audience. However, the problems and risks he identifies
with inappropriately formulated contracts should be of concern
to anyone involved in contracts for any kind of large project.
We are privileged to be able to pass along his professional
advice on Guiding Principles of Risk Allocation.
11/04
- Assignment Revamp: The Challenges
of a Chemical Plant Upgrade, Tim Corman
- In the coming years we can expect to see more and more
rehabilitation, renewal, renovation, or revamp projects.
These will replace existing and aging infrastructure and
facilities. These "revamp" projects, as Tim calls them,
present a particular challenge because the site is not "clean
and green" to start with and existing production and services
must be maintained during the upgrade. Tim describes the
case of a makeover for a chemical process plant. 10/04
- Strategic Design for Running
Projects - Part 2, Lawrence A. Bennigson
- In this Part 2, Lawrence continues his discussion focusing
on project integration and the need for visibility, personal
and professional security, strategic trade-offs, some example
success criteria and the selection of key management positions.
09/04
- Strategic Design for Running
Projects - Part 1, Lawrence A. Bennigson
- This paper was originally presented in Innovation magazine
in 1971, but recently brought to our attention by Bob Youker,
World Bank (retired.) Even though written over three decades
ago, we think that Lawrence's advice is just as relevant
today. Part 1 includes managing the project, strategic design
of a cost management system, success criteria and system
evaluation. 08/04
- Project Management State
of the Art - 2004
Part 4: Project Management in the Next Five Years, Russell D. Archibald
- Russ completes his paper with his projections for project
management in the next five years, the prospects for competition
and his perspective on relevance and variations in the application
of project management around the world. The paper includes
a comprehensive list of references. 10/04
- Project Management State
of the Art - 2004
Part 3: Project Management and People, Russell D. Archibald
- Russ continues his paper with a discussion of practitioner
capabilities, working in project teams and issues surrounding
project management as a discipline or a profession. 09/04
- Project Management State
of the Art - 2004
Part 2: Applications, Practices & Tools, Russell D. Archibald
- This month Russ Archibald looks at areas of project management
application within industries, different project categories
and their respective project life cycles. He also looks
at the nature and current status of project management control
tools. 08/04
- Project Management State
of the Art - 2004
Part 1: Project Management within Organizations, Russell D. Archibald
- Long-time project management guru, Russ Archibald, provides
us with sweeping coverage of the international project management
scene. In this Part 1 he looks within organizations at the
characteristics of projects, programs, and portfolio management,
as well as organizational capabilities and maturity. 07/04
- Risk Management for the
Sigmaphobic: Managing Schedule, Cost, Technical Risk &
Contingency, Harvey A. Levine
- Harvey has a problem with the sigma character and suggests
a more pragmatic approach to managing schedule, cost, technical
risk and contingency. 06/04
- Impediments to Defining
Stakeholder Needs, Cyril Souchon
- Based on the experience in his practice, Cyril discusses
the challenges of capturing and defining stakeholder needs
and how he deals with it, especially where those requirements
are vague or even contradictory. 05/04
- Manage Software Development
Better: Implement a Weekly Build and Smoke Test, Mohan Srinivasan
- On a major software development project, Mohan faced the
typical risk of schedule and/or effort overrun. His team
recognized the need to do something radical. They devised
a "Weekly Build and Smoke Test" tool and succeeded
in delivering a productivity improvement of 50%. 04/04
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 6, Lee Merkhofer
- In this last part of his six-part paper, Lee presents
his summary recommendations and describes the two pitfalls
that must be overcome to successfully introduce effective
portfolio management into the organization. 03/04
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 5, Lee Merkhofer
- In this fifth of a six-part paper, Lee discusses the fifth
reason: Inability to arrive at the portfolio with the highest
risk-adjusted value within the available resources, and
how to go about it. 02/04
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 4, Lee Merkhofer
- In this fourth of a six-part paper, Lee discusses the
fourth reason: Lack of attention to risk, and what to do
about it. 01/04
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 3, Lee Merkhofer
- In this third of a six-part paper, Lee discusses the third
reason: Lack of the right metrics, and what to do about
it. 12/03
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 2, Lee Merkhofer
- In this second of a six-part paper, Lee discusses the
second reason: Failure to see the forest for the trees,
and what to do about it. 11/03
- Choosing the Wrong Portfolio
of Projects: And what your organization can do about it
- Part 1, Lee Merkhofer
- This is the first of a six-part paper of considerable
interest to senior executives. Lee will describe reasons
why organizations typically fail to arrive at an optimal
project portfolio. Later, he will show how to implement
practical selection processes to return maximum value as
a whole. 10/03
- Change Management and Projects,
Steve Slusarenko
- Steve discusses change management as a project in its
own right and how that relates to the successful delivery
of projects. 09/03
- Quest for the Cup - Project
Management Parallels in the Hockey World, Rob Nelson
- Why should we think of project teams as only those who
manage and actually perform the tasks that build the deliverables?
08/03
- Ready for a Change?
Select the Right Style of Leader, Jan Katz
- Turnaround is a painful process which requires an organization
willing to license the leader to take necessary action.
07/03
- First Principles of Project
Management, Lauri Koskela and
Gregory Howell
- This thoughtful review and commentary on Max Wideman's
original First
Principles paper makes interesting reading and useful
suggestions for improvement. 06/03
- A Rationale and Structure
for A Project Management Body of Knowledge - Part 3,
Eric Jenett
- In Part 3, Eric presents his proposal for a globally acceptable
PMrBoK structure 07/03
- A Rationale and Structure
for A Project Management Body of Knowledge - Part 2,
Eric Jenett
- In Part 2, Eric goes on to define the job of project management,
the customer for a PMBoK, what that customer does and structural
considerations for a related body of knowledge. 06/03
- A Rationale and Structure
for A Project Management Body of Knowledge - Part 1,
Eric Jenett
- In some carefully-considered thoughts, Eric provides a
background to this topic, describes what projects are, and
are not, and discusses the project life span. 05/03
- The Glory of Pisa - A True Parable
of Project Management, Kimberly Gerson
- Max first wrote about the Leaning
Tower of Pisa in a tongue-in-cheek Max's
Musings. Now, Kimberly Gerson has done some serious
research on the "Pisa Project" and presents it
here for your enlightenment. 04/03
- Defining the Hierarchy
of Project Objectives - Linking Organizational Strategy,
Programs and Projects, Robert Youker
- Having a clear and concise definition of project objectives
early in the life cycle is an important ingredient for success.
04/03
- Bridging the Gap between Corporate
Strategy and Project Management
Alan Harpham
- This paper explores the development of program management
out of project management and defines program management
as "a set of related projects with a common strategic goal
or aim". Pt1 02/03, Pt2 03/03
- Globalization of the
Project Management Profession,
David H. Curling
- A brief review, insights into professional certification
processes, standards, world wide professional organizations
and thoughts on the challenge, opportunities and impediments
to a global project management profession. (Original presentation,
1998) 10/02
- Can A Project Manager be a
Servant Leader? A Reflective Critique, Barbara A. White
- Can a project manager be submissive to those on his or
her project team, and still be a leader? The author looks
at the definitions, characteristics and responsibilities
of a leader, manager, a project manager, a servant, and
a servant leader and draws some interesting conclusions.
07/02
- Expert Project Management - An
Improved Project Lifecycle Model, Edmund Fish
- The project lifecycle is a pivotal concept in the understanding
of projects, mapping out the progress of the project from
birth to death. However, there seems to be an almost endless
confusion over what the project lifecycle is. 04/02
- Expert Project Management
- The Difference between Different Types of Projects,
Robert Youker
- The dictionary defines "classification" as the
systematic grouping into categories by shared characteristics
or traits. Project management needs a classification system
for different types of projects so that we may communicate
effectively. 04/02
- What CEOs Must Demand To Compete
and Collaborate in 2005, Russell D. Archibald
- This paper is intended to provide chief executive officers
and other senior executives with the understanding of what
they must demand regarding project management within their
organizations, today and in coming years, to compete and
collaborate effectively within the realities of the Internet
Age. 03/02
- Does Your Company Need A CPO?
A Case for the Central Project Office and a Chief Project
Officer, Harvey A. Levine
- Project Management is one of the fastest growing, widely
recognized trends of the last decade. But it has been accompanied
by increasing frustration about the way that project management
is being implemented in those organizations that have recently
come to embrace this discipline. 07/01
- Economic Development,
Social Spending and Project Management, Andre
Philip van der Merwe
- Social development in conjunction with economic development
must be balanced by education in project management. Project
management that brings people together from diverse cultures,
religions, social levels, and education levels to effectively
and efficiently reach set objective. Project management,
where people are managed so that they can manage their work,
is the key to our future. 06/01
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