Author Archive for: bonnie.biafore@gmail.com

You are here: / Bonnie Biafore

Entries by Bonnie Biafore

Caught Off Guard

/in /by

We’ve all struggled at some point with a question that we weren’t expecting, much less prepared to answer. In this video, Tatiana Kolovou explains AND demonstrates approaches for handling this situation with composure, professionalism, and credibility. Buy time to think using a variety of techniques without long awkward pauses. Or simply ask the person for the time you need to prepare a useful response. If you don’t have all the information you need, explain what you know, don’t know, and how you’re going to find the answer. Watch this quick clip to see first-hand how it’s done.

Start to start task relationships

/in /by

Start-to-start dependencies can be confusing to people not well-versed in project scheduling. The links between tasks make a Gantt Chart look more intimidating than it usually is to non-project managers. Bob McGannon and I examine these misunderstood scheduling features and offer simpler alternatives.

The Art of a Practical Schedule Timeline

/in /by

A practical project timeline is a brilliant way to deliver your project’s value when it’s needed. There’s no place for optimism. Instead, it has reasonable estimates with a degree of variability built in so any issues that arise don’t lead to a scheduling disaster! This week’s Project Pointer digs into how to build one.

Avoiding Redundant Collaboration Tools

/in /by

What’s the point of using two different collaboration tools in the same project? There is none. And yet, it could be challenging, if not impossible, to settle on one tool for everyone. Bob McGannon and I talk about why this might happen and possible solutions. If your client uses a different system than you do, their preference has to prevail, so we also discuss how to work effectively using both internal and client tools.

Best Practices for Delegating

/in /by

Delegation is a great way to free up your time while helping others expand their capabilities. But merely handing off a task to someone else often doesn’t accomplish either of those objectives. Proper delegation is an intentional transfer of ownership that requires shifting the workload, authority, and data necessary to complete the task. This Project Pointer explains how to create a support structure to guide the delegate.

When Change Might Be Too Much

/in /by

Suppose you meticulously shepherd change requests through your change control process. And then, one day, realize your project has morphed into something you and the stakeholders don’t recognize. Sometimes, lots of small changes transform your project in ways you didn’t foresee. For this reason, Bob McGannon and I suggest setting an overall limit to change in a project that triggers a review of the project and its business case to determine whether they’re still valid.

Ways Projects Produce Value

/in /by

According to the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 8th Edition, project managers are responsible for ensuring that their projects deliver value. Completing projects within the triple constraints of time, scope, and cost isn’t enough. This Project Pointer provides examples of how projects can produce value.

Focus on How Project Tasks Support the Business

/in /by

Teams that work cohesively and understand both the business and technical ramifications of their tasks are a big part of producing successful projects. Explaining business relevance of work to team members can be tedious. No worries! This Project Pointer talks about ways to build this type of team without taking up too much project time.

Earned Value and the Real World

/in /by

  Earned value analysis is a great tool for analyzing project schedule and cost performance. The EVA graph makes it easy to see whether your project is on time and within budget (once you learn how to read it). So why do Bob McGannon and I have reservations about using this approach? In this video, […]

When is Project Risk Too Risky?

/in /by

An organization’s risk tolerance influences decision-making, resource allocation, and stakeholder alignment, so you need a clear understanding of how much uncertainty the organization is willing to accept. With so much riding on risk, here are approaches for assessing an organization’s risk tolerance.